Investment Officer - Upstream & Advisory - CAT

The Investment Officer role at IFC focuses on driving private sector development in emerging markets by identifying investment opportunities, fostering partnerships, and delivering advisory solutions. The position involves managing upstream initiatives, executing transactions, and developing innovative financial structures to support sustainable growth in the Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services sector in the Middle East and Central Asia region.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and convene teams/functions across WBG to implement high-quality Upstream initiatives and convert efforts into new investment opportunities.
• Manage human and financial resources efficiently across initiatives for optimal impact.
• Disseminate knowledge across teams based on successful and pruned initiatives.
• Lead execution of new transactions and portfolio restructurings, including rescheduling, capital increases, equity sales, and develop innovative financial structures.
• Analyze client, sector, and market data to design solutions that create or unlock markets and develop a pipeline of bankable projects.
• Conduct sector-specific data analysis and stress testing of operating models to generate ideas for new projects and products.
• Design analytical approaches to generate and test new ideas for market or project opportunity creation and feasibility.
• Develop feasibility studies and implementation plans for Upstream projects leading to IFC investments.
• Manage project budget preparation, approval, and financial management including trust funds administration.
• Determine scope of work and budgets for external consultants, supervise selection, contracting, and deliverables approval.
• Generate ideas about new investment opportunities, products, and platform businesses by leveraging data analysis and stakeholder dialogues.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and form partnerships across IFC, WBG, sponsors, clients, and external parties to deliver Upstream projects.
• Help prioritize Upstream programs and ensure proper staffing for early-stage project development.
• Conduct research to shape ongoing and future offerings and develop new tools and guidance incorporating best practices.
• Oversee engagements to identify client needs and prepare project documents for moderately complex projects.
• Engage with peers including industry, sector, product, ES&G specialists, legal, M&E, and finance staff to integrate feedback and improve project concepts and approvability.

Requirements

• MBA or Master's degree in a related field such as business, finance, economics, or a sector-specific specialty.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in sourcing, structuring, and closing investments and/or supervising loan and equity exposures including restructurings, modifications, and negotiated exits.
• Proven financial modelling ability.
• Good knowledge of IFC Investment processes is a plus.
• Good understanding of MAS sectors, industry drivers, latest trends, and standard market transaction arrangements, especially in MCA.
• Capacity to understand and participate in market creation opportunities across multiple countries with a long-term perspective, innovation, and ability to leverage de-risking tools.
• Ability to build long-term client engagement and credibility by understanding their business, sector, culture, and maintaining ongoing dialogue.
• Ability to interact effectively with WBG staff and participate in collaborative projects, showing sensitivity to corporate cultures and operating practices.
• Ability to contribute constructively in meetings with mid-level government officials and senior private sector management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to describe complex issues and lessons clearly.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of project management and M&E concepts including theory of change.
• Understanding of IFC and WBG products and instruments and opportunities for cross-organizational collaboration.
• In-depth understanding of IFC ES&G standards and implications of policy and regulatory frameworks governing thematic areas.

Skills

• Investment Opportunity Sourcing
• Investment Structures
• Investment Closing
• Loan and Equity Supervision
• Financial Modelling
• IFC Investment Processes
• Sector Analysis
• Market Transaction Arrangements
• Market Creation
• De-risking Tools
• Client Engagement
• Stakeholder Management
• Cross-Organizational Collaboration
• Project Management
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Theory of Change
• IFC and WBG Products
• ESG Standards Implementation
• Policy and Regulatory Frameworks
• Written Communication
• Verbal Communication

Languages

English, Russian