Senior Investment Officer

international finance corporation

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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org. 

IFC's Transaction Advisory Services Department (CTA) is housed in the IFC Cross-Cutting Solutions Vice Presidency (CCSVPU) and consists of two business lines: 

• PPP Transaction Advisory (C3P) offers transaction advisory services to governments to assist them in partnering with the private sector in sustainable long-term infrastructure projects through designing and structuring PPP transactions able to provide high-quality, affordable, and efficient public and social services. The main sectors of activity are electricity, water, transportation, telecommunications, and social services, such as health and education.

• Corporate Finance Services (CFS) offers three key main products: (1) M&A Advisory: advising on buy-side / sell-side transactions; (2) Equity Mobilization Program (EMP): supporting third-party equity mobilization alongside IFC investment; (3) Asset monetization involving listed or listing public entities.

CTA mobilized $4.7B of private investment in FY24, representing about 25% of the IFC's total core mobilization.  Drawing on over 30 years of experience and with over 120 staff across the globe, CTA currently manages over 100 active client engagements.  Africa has 30 staff distributed in five regional hubs located in Johannesburg, Nairobi, Abidjan, Cairo, and Abuja. The CTA department is expected to continue playing a leading role in mobilizing private capital on behalf of the WBG, the FY25 target being fixed at $5.9B.

PPP Transaction Advisory is seeking a Senior Investment Officer (SIO) with significant market and industry experience to integrate the Nairobi hub in Kenya, with the main objective of developing the presence of IFC in PPP business in the Eastern Africa sub-region that includes 9 countries: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

The PPP team focuses on advising governments and government entities on the following types of transactions across all infrastructure sectors: 

• Public-Private Partnerships e.g. BOT type concessions.

• Restructuring and privatization of state-owned enterprises.

• Corporate Finance type activities (equity raising, M&A, pre-IPO support).

The SIO will be strongly engaged in business development and execution of mandates. Both origination activities and the preparation work of complex PPP transactions may require close collaboration within the World Bank Group to ensure consistency with the countries' strategy, access to expertise in institutional and sector reforms, and the development of legal and regulatory frameworks (tariff structures, and others), as may be necessary. The work of the SIO will be carried out under the supervision of and in close collaboration with the Eastern Africa Hub Leader. Further to the activities developed in the Eastern Africa region, the SIO could also be required to work across the broader Africa region, depending on business needs.

The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya and the SIO will report to the Eastern Africa Hub Leader.

Role & Responsibilities:

The SIO's work will involve business development and the implementation of advisory mandates of a variety of PPP types. These activities require, among others, strong interactions with government clients aimed at signing new mandates and execution of the same. Duties will include, but will not be limited to:

• Develop client relationships and project leads in the Eastern Africa region and carry marketing activities in assigned countries/strategic infrastructure sectors.

• In developing marketing activities, the SIO will collaborate with other WB/IFC teams to identify opportunities based on country strategies and market creation potential. 

• Lead in the negotiation of the mandates with clients and ensure supervision of the preparation of commercial proposals, etc.

• When appropriate, undertake project scoping to assess the feasibility of potential projects

• Prepare/review memos and documentation for internal approval and consultant procurement processes and manage the projects' budget.

• Foster strong relationships with World Bank Group counterparts to identify collaboration opportunities while enhancing business delivery at the country level. 

• Understand the political, legal, and regulatory impediments permitting private sector participation in the working countries and work closely with the other parts of the WBG to overcome these.

• Lead the day-to-day management of project preparation, leading teams working on sell-side PPP mandates, including managing legal, technical, environmental, and other consultants; review the consultants' outputs, reports, analysis, financial models, etc.

• Develop transaction structure options for the PPP projects being implemented providing innovative and practical solutions to address the client's problems, while ensuring the Projects' bankability and long-term sustainability. Present and negotiate the proposed project structure with the Client after obtaining IFC approval.

• Assist in the organization and management of the tendering process of projects, including marketing of projects, participating in road shows, and preparation of Prequalification and Request for Proposals documents. Assist during the selection and project award processes and final negotiation of project agreements leading to deal closing. Strong negotiation skills to develop solutions and overcome impasses in transactions is paramount.

• Participate/lead meetings with government clients and investors.

• In the preparation of the Projects, coordinate closely with other parts of IFC including environmental, social, legal, or other advice, and if appropriate, investment and World Bank colleagues to provide bespoke solutions to ensure Projects achieve expected sustainable development impact.

• Develop, coach, motivate, and manage junior members of the team.

• As appropriate, participate in the development and implementation of upstream activities in line with IFC 2030 to create, deepen, and expand markets with the regional and global teams from across IFC and the WBG.

• As appropriate, contribute to the elaboration of the sub-regional strategy.

• Support Corporate Finance mandates, both in terms of origination and execution that may include the preparation and delivery of pitch presentations to companies, reviewing and advising on corporate structure, balance sheet structure, valuation, prospectus review, corporate governance, etc.

• As requested, participate in the preparation of the regional strategy for the PPP advisory business, with a focus on strategic priorities, mobilization of private investment, and development of climate-friendly and high-impact projects.

• Support knowledge management by helping to disseminate PPP and CFS knowledge and experience and,

• Assist in other PPP projects across the larger region or strategy-related activities, as the need may arise

Selection Criteria

• Masters' in Business Administration, Finance or Economics or similar relevant education

• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in PPP transaction advisory on buy and/or sell side, investment banking, project finance or corporate finance with a leading institution. PPP transaction advisory work experience in the region is desirable.

• Minimum 3-4 years of experience of sell//buy-side M&A advisory is a plus;

• Knowledge of overall infrastructure sector trends and experience in infrastructure transactions/PPPs preferably in Africa;

• Business development and client relationship skills, with ability to focus on clients' needs effectively;

• Proven track-record in originating, advising, structuring, and executing infrastructure transactions 

• Strong grasp of legal documentation including risk allocation related to PPP projects including concessions and privatizations, ensuring prudent and sustainable risk sharing among all parties.

• Sound business judgment in identifying potential business and development partners and other key stakeholders and ability to interact directly and independently with senior government officials, and potential investors. Strong existing relationships with government officials and investors in the infrastructure space in Eastern Africa is preferred;

• Ability to manage teams in multiple transactions;

• Strong analytical and financial modeling/structuring skills and demonstrated ability to lead a variety of transaction advisory, including debt, and equity transactions;

• Proactively address and resolve client challenges with a solution-focused approach, effectively engaging decision-makers when necessary

• Strong analytical and conceptual skills and ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently (written and oral);

• Ability to operate in large, culturally diverse, and geographically dispersed teams;

• Proven experience building productive relationships and fostering open communication across diverse teams and organizations to share knowledge and resources. 

• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated record of accomplishment in leading, motivating and managing multidisciplinary and multicultural teams

• Strong commitment to project success, delivering innovative and sustainable solutions, while overcoming obstacles.

• Building organizational capacity through system and process improvements

• Ability to work under pressure, travel on short notice and frequently, and deliver high quality work within deadlines to meet team objectives;

• Highly motivated, committed to the highest ethical standards, and aligned with the World Bank Group and IFC's mission, strategy, and values, and

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, and knowledge of French or Portuguese is desired.

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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Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

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