Senior Investment Officer

Senior Investment Officer

Job #:
req28124

Organization:
IFC

Sector:
Investment

Grade:
GG

Term Duration:
3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
7/21/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

IFC - a member of the World Bank Group - is the largestglobal development institution focused on the private sector in emergingmarkets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, andinfluence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage thepower of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperityon a livable planet.

The Financial Institutions Group(FIG) is one of the major industry groups at IFC, responsible for managing roughly40% of IFC's overall business in terms of volume and capital at risk. FIGengages in a wide range of sub-sectors including Microfinance, SME, Gender,Climate, Insurance, Capital Markets, Housing, Distressed Assets, and other areas,with both investment and advisory services delivered to IFC's clients throughIFC's global network.

The sustainability and growth ofMSMEs is key to the World Bank Group's twin goals to reduce extreme poverty andboost shared prosperity. IFC's Committed MSME Portfolio has grown to ~ US 19billion (including mobilization of US$ 2.7 billion) for the last 5 years. TheFinancial Institutions Group including Trade Finance contributes to 87% of IFC'stotal MSME portfolio. FIG continues to generate new MSME business, the annual newbusiness commitment over the last five years on average is approximately $4billion.

This position as SeniorInvestment Officer, will be part of the Financial Inclusion team within the Global FIG team andbased in Washington DC.

MSME financing is a core part ofFIG's business. The FIG portfolio as of June 2023 on IFC's own account, includes US$1.2 billion in equity investments in MSME-focused FinancialServices Providers ("FSP"), US $11.4 billion in MSME targeted lendingfacilities, US$ 1.8 billion in risk sharing facilities benefiting MSME loanportfolios and US $44 million in Risk Management facilities (for example,swaps). While some FIG investment clients (e.g., a small microfinanceinstitution, debt fund manager or fintech) may themselves qualify as SMEs, thebulk of FIG's MSME impact is achieved by supporting our clients' lending toMSMEs. Working through intermediaries such as banks, micro finance institutions,leasing companies and fintech lenders is a highly efficient way for IFC to reachMSMEs. These FSPs have the capacity to locally onboard, underwrite, monitor,and services MSME loans at the scale that is needed.

The role of the Sr. IO would beto support the investment and upstream advisory engagements by implementing IFC'sstrategy in this space. Developing new approaches to increase outreach andsupport the broadening of financial services across our client countries. Aspart of the wider FIG network, Sr. IOs are expected to liaise with regional teamsand connect regional project teams with global units - such as blended finance andpartnerships and beyond IFC to initiatives being promoted by IBRD, IDA andMIGA.

She/he will be based inWashington DC and will be part of FIG's Global team of financial sectorspecialists and will work globally with regional FIG investment teams as wellas the global equity and fintech teams.

Duties & Responsibilities:
• Originate viable IFC investment transactions in the MSME Finance space globally, maximizing development impact as well as profitability
• Drive collaboration with regional departments and work closely with regional teams to deliver IFC's investment targets and development impact
• From FIG Global, deliver expertise and specialization regarding MSME Finance opportunities to support the regions
• Build a strong pipeline of potential future investment opportunities in MSME Finance which should include funded facilities (Loans) un-funded facilities (RSFs and/or Guarantees), digital finance and embedded finance opportunities in cooperation with regional IFC teams
• Implement innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions across the capital structure (senior debt, mezzanine, or equity)
• Identify opportunities and support and lead FIG's engagement with a range of market players including banks, insurers, Fintech companies, and innovative financial service providers
• Develop global platforms (IFC investment frameworks) and global solutions for facilitating FIG investment
• Develop global client relationships with MSME Finance providers
• Maintain relationships with clients, market players, and other stakeholders (government, development partners, World Bank Group) to develop markets and investment opportunities
• Help to build and maintain a network of global and regional co-investors and co-lenders to develop specific investment opportunities and to provide funding alongside IFC
• Lead and/or provide guidance to investment teams on due diligence (financial, market, valuation etc.), risk/mitigation analysis, and structuring/ negotiations from a MSME Finance perspective
• Coordinate closely with technical experts (banking specialists, environmental specialists, lawyers, etc.) to add value to our clients' businesses, find pragmatic solutions, and achieve sustainable development impact
• Analyze industry trends and prior transactions to develop new business and improve portfolio performance
• Disseminate knowledge across the industry group and promote knowledge-sharing within FIG as well as more broadly across IFC
• Provide support in developing thought leadership on MSME Finance trends, and in addition think through the implications of these trends for IFC's business in this space to both grow and future proof IFC's business and be an integral part of driving a sustainable growth of the MSME Finance business
• Closely follow emerging landscape in the Fintech/Digital Finance space and use that knowledge to provide insights and ideas to FIG MSME Finance leadership
• Work closely and constructively across FIG business/product lines as well as FIG regional teams to provide insights into MSME Finance space evolution, both medium-term and long-term and be accretive to FIG's overall business

Selection Criteria
• MBA or equivalent professional qualification in finance or business
• 8-10 years of investment experience (e.g., commercial or investment banking, development financial institution, private equity, or venture funds)
• Demonstrated investment track record of successfully structuring and processing transactions in the financial industry; experience in portfolio management
• Emerging Markets experience
• Excellent analytical and technical skills; financial analysis expertise
• Sound business judgment and strong problem-solving skills to identify risks and present creative, practical solutions
• Solid understanding of relevant trends and issues in the MSME finance space
• Open to feedback and willingness to learn
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Technology savvy professional, with a passion for global development
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; ability to convey ideas and positions clearly; strong presentation skills
• High emotional intelligence and work ethic
• Effective team player in multi-cultural and multi-location environment and ability/experience with providing guidance, professional development, and quality control of work products
• Ability to interact directly and independently with clients, partners, donors and government officials
• Strong commitment to innovation and knowledge management
• Willingness to be proactive in contacting people and learning about new developments
• Highest standards of ethical integrity, transparency, and fairness

NOTE: This internal requisition is opento WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case anexternal candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

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.

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