GBLCAREERS

Private sector financial development is essential to the promotion of successful and sustainable economies in low and middle income countries around the world. Sound and efficient financial markets can ensure that resources are allocated where they are most productive, assisting job creation and spurring economic growth. IFC’s goal is to prioritize investment in the financial sector because it promotes development in all other sectors.

The Financial Institutions Group (FIG) is one of three major industry groups at IFC, responsible for managing roughly 40% of IFC’s overall business in terms of volume and capital at risk. FIG engages 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 globally to IFC’s clients through IFC’s global network.

FIG has been increasing its focus on Agrifinance, in collaboration with the real sector Agribusiness MAS teams, in order to address the fundamental gaps in terms of access to finance and access to markets that farmers in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) are facing. To push forward the agrifinance agenda, FIG is recruiting a very senior/Principal Investment Officer to originate and develop a strong pipeline of agrifinance transactions in Sub Saharan Africa, particularly in the priority countries by developing a combination of country programs and offtaker-anchored programs. The Senior/Principal Investment Officer will report to the Financial Institutions Group Industry Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa.

This roles requires a motoivated senior and mature individual who can successfully leverage teams and departments across IFC and work in some of the most interesting and challenging countries in SSA.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Develop and lead the implementation of the agrifinance strategy and program for Sub Saharan Africa, integrating both investment and advisory services in collaboration with the agrifinance advisory team. Evaluate markets for agrifinance opportunities and identify viable entry points for IFC;

• Lead the growth of the agrifinance investment portfolio in SSA by taking a pro-active role in both developing new business and processing and closing agrifinance investment transactions. Inspire others to develop new solutions that have a development impact and advocate for changes and application of new methods to enhance results.

• Direct the appraisal, structuring, negotiation and processing of agrifinance projects. Develop and manage client relationships.

• Act as a trusted, strategic advisor, partnering with clients to deliver results. Create opportunities that are aligned with IFC’s mission to increase impact, lead initiatives to take advantage of these opportunities. Proactively guide clients to see the possibilities in new approaches and solutions.

• Initiate collaboration across organizational boundaries, with other industry departments of IFC, including the Agribusiness unit within MAS, and with the Global Practices of the World Bank Group (WBG);

• Consistently engage others in open dialogue, bringing out conflicting viewpoints, incorporating viewpoints into solutions, leveraging expertise of all team members to ensure successful outcomes;

• Mentor and coach less-experienced investment and advisory services staff and help build talent and grow skill base of staff.

• Create and execute business plans including staffing and other resources, for both investment and advisory and for collaboration with other industry departments of IFC and with the WBG Global Practices, ensuring strong coordination between each;

• Monitor program budgets facilitating regular reporting, reviews and audits;

• Lead the supervision of projects, including client interaction, analytical assessments, on-site reviews and the preparation of internal project documentation for results, sustainability and development effectiveness. Make timely decisions that have a broad impact.

• Help to establish an environment where IFC’s knowledge base for best practices in agrifinance is created, applied, and shared; participate in knowledge sharing and dissemination.

Selection Criteria:

• 15+ years of relevant experience in the financial sector, with evidence of expertise in investing along the agricultural value chain using a variety of instruments, in Africa and emerging markets;

• Considered an expert in the subject area and is sought out by colleagues to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products of others;

• Proven and documented experience and expertise in identifying, evaluating, structuring and negotiating private debt and equity investments. Strong financial and credit skills;

• Strong skills in evaluation of risk and ability to anticipate short and long term implications of decisions; experience in portfolio management;

• Sound business judgment and strong problem solving/negotiation skills, as well as ability to work effectively on simultaneous projects under time pressure;

• Great team player, able to mentor and train more junior staff. Hold self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.

• Candidates should also demonstrate successful performance in leadership roles in financial institutions in one or more emerging markets. This may include leading the development of the institution’s approach to a market, creating and maintaining client relationships, leading the negotiation and implementation of the technical terms of investment and advisory engagements, relevant speaking engagements, and publishing thought pieces or studies on financial markets, agrifinance, or economic development;

• Ability to make sound decisions and commit to decisions.

• Knowledge and Experience in International Economic

Development Arena;

• Excellent business judgment and strong analytical and problem solving skills to identify issues and present creative, practical solutions.

• Capacity to deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule; facility to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries;

• Ability to systematically share with others good practice and learning from lessons from across WBG, clients, and partners.

• Good relationship management skills with proven track record of success in developing client relationships and execution of client engagements. Ability to build and maintain relationships with the business community and governmental authorities, as needed; and

• Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English are required; French would be considered a plus.

The position requires regional and international travel. IFC offers a highly challenging and rewarding working environment with outstanding opportunities for professional growth, as well as attractive conditions. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

All applications will be treated in strictest confidence. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. WOMEN ARE STRONLY ADVISED TO APPLY.

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