Investment Officer

Job #: req13714

Organization: IFC

Sector: Upstream

Grade: GG

Term Duration: 3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: International Recruitment

Location: Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s): Spanish, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Russian

Closing Date: 11/25/2021 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

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 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 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 the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected Situations (FCS). This strategy calls for generating our own opportunities by proactively working “Upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and to imagine, design and implement investment projects. It requires taking a systematic approach to understanding the regulatory, market 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 leverage WBG programs and projects to develop our own proactive sector interventions and to imagine and design projects even in the absence of reforms.

IFC is seeking an experienced Investment Officer (G1 level) with expertise in Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) sectors. The INR team delivers financial and technical support to clients in the power, transport, telecoms, municipal & environmental infrastructure, oil and gas, and mining sectors, from IFC’s own Balance Sheet and through mobilization of other capital. The selected candidate will focus on supporting the development of a high-quality Upstream investment pipeline, under the supervision of the Principal Investment Officer for TMT Upstream and report to the Senior Manager, Infrastructure Upstream. S/he will also support policy work and other interventions across the World Bank Group to prioritize various initiatives and to maximize the impact of Upstream efforts. The position is based in Washington, DC.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Support and lead the identification and assessment of Upstream sector and project development opportunities based on country and sector strategies and market creation potential.
• Spot game-changing trends, technologies and business models that can bring solutions to emerging markets.
• Contribute to sector-specific data analysis and stress-testing of various operating models to help generate ideas for new projects, new products and platform businesses.
• Develop feasibility studies and implementation plans for Upstream projects that lead to IFC investments.
• Design and implement scalable solutions and innovative platforms that can be replicated across markets.
• Use financial analysis to assess and structure investments in the TMT sector.
• Deploy and use upstream tools for joint project development with identified sponsors, such as Collaboration and Co-Development.
• Work with the World Bank to analyze sector and regulatory reforms that are needed to unlock opportunities for private investment.
• Support interaction with thought leaders and decisionmakers across the World Bank Group and externally to foster innovative thinking about overcoming regulatory and sector dynamic constraints to increase connectivity and affordability.
• Support and be part of a delivery platform across the industry leveraging a network of Upstream staff in the region as well as key internal and external stakeholders and integrating IFC investment and IFC advisory staff to provide seamless Upstream solutions.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business, Finance, Economics. Alternatively, advanced degree in Science, Engineering coupled with finance education and experience.
• Deep knowledge of financial analysis and demonstrated work experience displaying corporate finance and structuring skills are strictly needed for this position. At least ten years of work experience in the financial industry. TMT private equity and/or advisory experience, including growth financing, are a plus.
• Investment Officer structuring experience strictly required. Experience with a MDB or financial multilateral institution, and knowledge of IFC appraisal methodology a plus.
• Relevant experience in project and/or program development, producing feasibility studies, hands-on advisory and structuring of transactions in the TMT sector and, in particular, in telecommunications sector, digital infrastructure, cloud and data infrastructure. This includes MNOs, broadband wholesale and retail, towercos, data centers, IoT, 5G and edge computing, broadband and data networks.
• Deep knowledge of telecom business drivers, demand and market dynamics, financial models applied to the telecoms industry. Has extensive experience developing business models in TMT.
• Some knowledge of the evolution of the digital infrastructure industry (IaaS, PaaS, CPaaS, SaaS, DRaaS and MBaaS business models; multi-cloud models; open VRAN models; IoT; small cells); some knowledge of key regulatory provisions to stimulate private sector investment in the telecom digital, data and cloud infrastructure, including security, privacy and data protection; knowledge of data monetization models. Experience dealing with operators, tech companies, governments and regulators.
• Experience with sponsors, business development and strategic partnerships in the telecom and data infrastructure business segments.
• Genuine commitment to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission, strategy and values.
• Understanding of IFC’s strategic priorities and changing business model against the backdrop of IFC 3.0.
• Capacity to innovate and challenge the status quo and experience in new idea generation, business development, and creating projects/programs from scratch.
• Demonstrated understanding of TMT market in at least ten emerging markets, including the regulatory environment that promotes private sector investment in TMT, experience and knowledge of TMT solution providers and the risk allocation in licenses, concessions and similar agreements relating to TMT.
• Experience working in investment services and or roles in the TMT sector and/or in developing greenfield/brownfield investment opportunities in the TMT sector is a plus; ability to work across product lines and geographic zones.
• Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English. Knowledge of other languages are a plus.
• Personal motivation, sense of purpose and sacrifice, ability to integrate a fast paced and demanding work environment. Genuine interest in business development, upstream work and technology.

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.

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