Investment Officer at International Finance Corporation (IFC)

International Finance Corporation (IFC) a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. The Bank Group has set two goals for the world to achieve by 2030: end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity in every country.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Investment Officer

Job Number: req28800
Location: Lagos
Sector: Investment
Grade: GF
Term Duration: 3 years 0 months

Description

• The Financial Institution Group (FIG) is one of IFC’s key Departments responsible for a significant portion of IFC’s business volume, profitability and development reach, approximately 40%.
• 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 three main objectives: 1) financial inclusion; 2) servicing the real economy; and 3) mobilizing third-party resources.
• The goal is to develop efficient financial systems that will increase financial inclusion and fuel economic growth in client countries and enhance IFC’s developmental impact.
• FIG Africa is based across the continent with main hubs and offices in Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa and is recruiting Investment Officers (“IO”) with good local market and industry experience to join the investment team, which originates, manages and monitors IFC's financial sector investments, including investments that support the institutions' regional expansion across Africa.
• The selected candidate will provide expertise in the equity and convertible debt investments to the IFC FIG regional industry teams. 
• This role requires strong and demonstrated technical skills in sourcing, structuring, negotiating, and executing equity and convertible debt transactions and in portfolio management.
• The Investment Officer will also contribute in setting equity strategies, day-to-day business operations, equity and convertible debt business growth, and portfolio management.
• He/she will work in close collaboration with the Global FIG Equity team as well as the  FIG Management team to:
  • Formulate IFC’s strategies for investing equity and convertible debt investments across the financial institutions sector;
  • Engage in business development;
  • Structure and execute transactions;
  • Manage assets from origination until exit; and
  • Lead knowledge management on equity and convertible debt investing.

Roles and Responsibilities 
The role and responsibilities of the Investment Officer will include, but will not be limited to:

New Business:

• Develop a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities through proactive origination/business development and developing and employing sector/country knowledge in line with FIG’s strategic equity and convertible debts investment themes 
• Understand and analyze macro developments and industry-level developments in the respective countries and think through how they might offer opportunities (or present risks to be mitigated) for FIG to consider equity and convertible debt investments
• Develop and leverage extensive networks with industry players and other investors, and working closely with the global equity team regional industry management, make pitches as appropriate, to create a healthy flow of early equity and convertible debt leads and then work with colleagues to refine them and identify an investable pipeline
• For new equity and convertible debt investments, work closely with the global equity team and  articulate: (i) Investment thesis;(ii)Investment structure and valuation; and (iii) Equity management plan including exit strategy
• Lead execution of equity and convertible debt investments,  and provide expertise and guidance to teams executing smaller investments
• Provide inputs to, and incorporate guidance from Regional Industry Managers, Regional Industry Heads, Global Equity Heads, and other management members to develop and execute a profitable equity investment program
• Follow quality standards, structure robust equity and convertible debt investments, and set return targets for such investments.

Portfolio Management and Value Creation:

• Contribute in managing high-value/complex equity and convertible debt portfolio, including exit strategy formulation and exit execution, working closely with deal teams, the global equity team, and the FIG Management
• Drive value creation at investee companies
• Devise and execute equity sales ensuring consistency with portfolio strategy
• Provide expertise and guidance to teams in managing smaller equity and convertible debt investments
• Support Regional Industry Managers in ensuring that the right candidates are appointed as nominee directors on the boards of IFC investee companies and assess their performance.

Selection Criteria

• A Master's Degree or equivalent professional qualification in Finance or Business and 8 years of investment experience 
• Minimum three years of active private equity/ convertible debt/  investment experience at a private equity or debt fund setup, in-house private equity team of a reputable asset manager, or private equity investment teams of sovereign wealth funds, etc. 
• Proven track record in sourcing, leading, negotiating, executing, and exiting private equity and convertible debt investments. FIG equity investment experience in the Africa Region is a plus
• Strong network of contacts among reputable M&A firms, investment banks, financial institutions, private equity firms, institutional investors et 
• Sound investment judgment, demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality work and results under time pressure
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo to build the business 
• Recognized as a Good team player strategic thinker and thought leader
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; Fluency in English essential
• Ability to collaborate closely with development finance institutions, banks, microfinance institutions, non-bank financial institutions, and other strategic, financial, or institutional investors
• Ability to develop and manage relationships with C-Suite professionals, board of directors, and shareholders of investee companies
• Strong sense of service to clients and demonstrated business development aptitude
• Good “deal sense” based on demonstrated strong analytical skills and sound business judgment, especially in Equity and Convertibles debt investments
• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work across time zones.

Application Closing Date
18th August, 2024 at 11:59pm UTC

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: This is a Development Assignment based in Accra,Ghana or Douala,Cameroon or Cairo,Egypt or Lagos,Nigeria or Dakar, Senegal for an initial duration of 12 months. Only Term/Open Appointment Staffs are eligible to apply for this DAIS position.