Description

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected States (FCS). This strategy aims to create new opportunities for private investments in riskier markets and sectors by proactively working “upstream” (early in the project-development cycle) to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop potential investment projects. It requires taking a systematic approach to understanding the regulatory and sector bottlenecks that prevent the flow of private capital into productive investment in our member countries and addressing these bottlenecks through World Bank Group engagement on policy reforms and programmatic interventions at the country and sector level. It also requires capacity to work with clients to jointly imagine, design and develop projects even in the absence of reforms.

Achieving these growth and impact ambitions at scale requires a different approach to business development, deal sourcing, and client support that relies on 1) a broader product offering to engage earlier in the project cycle and secure opportunities; 2) a greater focus on preparing clients in nascent markets and sectors for investment; 3) a greater focus on value addition and risk management of portfolio investment clients to enhance their performance; and 4) a longer time horizon and a more patient, longer-term perspective.

IFC’s focus in infrastructure is on: (i) increasing access to basic infrastructure services; (ii) supporting local companies, while improving transparency and corporate governance; (iii) exploring new equity and debt investment opportunities and catalyzing foreign direct investments, including co-investments and mobilizing syndicated and parallel loans; (iv) introducing and developing new financial products including through Public Private Partnerships; and (v) building long-term partnerships with strong global and regional players. IFC business cycle, includes client relationship management, upstream/pre-investment activities, business development, deal/transaction execution, and portfolio investment management.

The Brazil Infrastructure Unit is an open and dynamic team, that originates, structures and commits financing to infrastructure projects across a number of sectors including energy, transportation, water and waste, telecom and technology, subnational infrastructure and natural resources. The upstream/pre-investment team intrinsically works with investment team generating leads on potential opportunities for IFC.

IFC is seeking an Investment Officer to support our upstream/pre-investment work in the infrastructure sector (water and sanitation, transport, telecom, energy, and waste), primarily focusing on Brazil but also willing and driven to work across other countries in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. The candidate will be based in Sao Paulo, supporting the development and implementation of a pipeline of investment projects in Brazil and may also support teams working in other countries in the region.

The Investment Officer will support the Upstream and Advisory Unit’s efforts to enable investment opportunities in LAC region by 1) incubating high impact projects that require early-stage development and pre-investment support together with private sector clients leading to an IFC investment , 2) getting potential clients ready for IFC investment through client preparation and development, and 3) doing business development to identify opportunities with private companies in the relevant infrastructure sector. The Investment Officer will work closely with other senior Upstream and Investment staff, all part of the same Infrastructure Unit, to generate and execute new opportunities across the infrastructure space. The position will be under the supervision of the Regional Industry Upstream and Advisory Manager.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  Identify, assess, and execute Upstream/pre-investment opportunities across infrastructure sectors by anticipating market trends, employing sector/country knowledge, and identifying game-changing trends, technologies and business models that can bring solutions to emerging markets.
•  Provide sectorial, commercial and business support to teams and clients at all stages of the upstream/pre-investment project cycle, including project design, portfolio monitoring and project execution.
•  Support the processing of Upstream/pre-investment projects as well as investments enabled by Upstream work.
•  Collaborate with investment teams to ensure successful conversion from Upstream/pre-investment projects to investments.
•  Develop feasibility studies and implementation plans for Upstream/pre-investment projects that lead to IFC investments. This includes the selection and management of technical consultants to support upstream engagements.
•  Conduct targeted research, data analysis, and stakeholder interviews to enable appropriate project design, including assessment of sector dynamics, identification of market gaps/barriers, and market analysis.
•  Work closely with senior staff in the Upstream and Investment Units to develop and manage client relationships and foster cross departmental collaboration to meet client-specific requirements.
•  Build, maintain, and strategically leverage and obtain contacts with key players in the relevant infrastructure sector, as well as non-traditional players to gain access to information, create long-term partnerships and develop business.
•  Analyze game-changing trends, technologies and business models that scale-up investment and increase development impact.
•  Coordinate closely with global infrastructure colleagues, social, environmental, and technical assistance colleagues to add value to our clients’ businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact.
•  Support engagements with the World Bank to identify and contribute to sector and regulatory reforms that enable private investment.
•  Support the dissemination and acquisition of knowledge in the relevant infrastructure sector to inform the adoption of new approaches and best practices.

Selection Criteria

•  Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or another relevant field.
•  At least 8 years of relevant experience in infrastructure project development (in producing feasibility studies, hands-on advisory and/or consulting functions) and/or, investment/corporate banking, project finance in the infrastructure sector (water, waste, telecom, transport or energy), with experience in Brazil and/or Latin America preferred.
•  Broad understanding and hands on experience in at least one of the following infrastructure sectors: energy, transport, water, solid waste, telecommunications.
•  Demonstrated track record in project / program development and management. Experience working with an infrastructure project developer or investor/financier is preferred.
•  Strong “deal sense” and understanding of bankability criteria.
•  Track record of engaging with private sector and other stakeholders to develop investment projects.
•  Network of contacts in the infrastructure sector in Brazil is considered a plus.
•  Demonstrated capacity for innovating and challenging the status quo to develop business opportunities.
•  Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills; demonstrated ability to synthetize complex information and make concrete strategic and tactical recommendations.
•  Excellent people skills, openness to feedback and new ideas, and ability to guide and motivate others.
•  Excellent attention to detail and focus on quality.
•  Strong written and verbal communications skills in English and Portuguese. Spanish speaking ability is a plus.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.