Associate Investment Officer

Contract

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Associate Investment Officer

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 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 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 global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC has recently launched an ambitious evolution of its strategy to stimulate more investment activity, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCS). This new strategy aims at moving further upstream of where IFC has traditionally operated to support clients in riskier markets by proactively working in these countries to create, deepen, and expand the markets themselves as well as develop a pipeline of investable projects. This strategy relies on a new approach that calls for closer WBG collaboration to maximize finance for development (“Cascade”) as well as closer work among IFC departments to create markets for private investment and increase the pipeline of investable projects (“Upstream”). Working with clients, we will first seek private sector solutions to address development challenges—where such solutions are advisable and can be effective—and reserve public financing for projects only when other options are suboptimal.

IFC’s PPP & Corporate Finance Advisory Department (CTA) is composed of two divisions: (i) the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Division; and (ii) the Corporate Finance Services (CFS) Division. The PPP Division advises governments in designing and bringing to market commercially robust PPP projects that provide high quality, affordable and efficient infrastructure and social services to the public. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience with over 360 projects completed in 102 countries, the Division currently has over 100 staff across the globe, with technical, financial, contractual and procurement expertise. The team is managing around 100 active client engagements to help national and municipal governments partner with the private sector to improve basic services such as electricity, health, education, sanitation, and roads. IFC’s PPP Division also draws on the World Bank’s expertise in institutional reforms, sector structuring, legal and regulatory frameworks, tariff structures and regulation, and international best practice to strengthen and complement IFC’s transaction-oriented approach. The CFS Division provides transaction advisory services to private sector clients, focusing on Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) advisory solutions and providing ad hoc structuring advice. Through M&A advisory, CFS provides buy side and sell side services, helps clients creating opportunities and entering new markets or identifying and attracting new partners and investors. CFS focuses on cross-border transactions, mobilizes third party capital and brings clients into new markets. With this work, CFS contributes to de-risking IFC investments, building new client relationships and generating a systematic deal flow.

The CTA regional transaction team in the Middle East, Central Asia, Turkey and Afghanistan, Pakistan (MCT) region is seeking an Associate Investment Officer (AIO). The AIO will be involved in the development and implementation of various PPP projects across the MCT region, in infrastructure and social sectors as described above. The AIO will be based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates reporting to the Regional Manager and Head for PPP Transaction Advisory Services in MCT.

The MCT-CTA team focuses on advising on the following types of transactions, across all infrastructure sectors with a focus on energy, transport, and social sectors (health and education):

• BOT-type projects

• Concessions, privatizations, Lease and Management Contracts

• Restructuring and privatization of state-owned enterprises

Duties & Accountabilities

The selected candidate will be expected to perform as a core team member under the supervision of a senior member of the team and will assist the project team leaders in the origination and execution of IFC’s advisory mandates in PPPs and privatizations across the MCT region.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Proactively contribute to business development activities in assigned countries. • Assist in the day-to-day management of project execution to contribute to the structuring of innovative PPP projects and to the development of recommendations to clients. • Assist in due diligence management, review of legal, commercial and technical outputs, project structure design, and drafting of project contractual documentation. • Prepare complex financial models and perform financial analysis. • Assist in managing project marketing to potential investors, completing roadshows, conducting prequalification and tendering (including negotiation of project agreements with bidders) up to award and commercial/financial close. • Participate in origination and marketing activities, e.g., undertake project scoping to assess feasibility of potential projects, preparation of pitchbooks and proposals. • Prepare notes and documentation for internal approval processes and procurement of consultants. • Participate in meetings with government ministries and departments and sub-national public entities to discuss and assess their needs and ideas to improve access to infrastructure and delivery of public services and to identify potential PPP projects for IFC transaction advisory assistance. • Understand the legal and regulatory impediments for private sector participation for assigned countries and work closely with the World Bank to overcome these. • Understand World Bank program for assigned countries and work with them to engage with government counterparts to implement a coordinated strategy to deliver private sector investment and mobilization. • Assist in coordinating closely with other parts of IFC including environmental and social, legal, other advisory and investment departments as well as World Bank colleagues to provide comprehensive and bespoke solutions to clients that will achieve sustainable development impact. • Assist in managing client expectations and provide appropriate advice as necessary through proposing practical solutions. • Assist in other project or strategy related activities as the need may arise.

IFC has recently launched an ambitious evolution of its strategy to stimulate more investment activity, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCS). This new strategy aims at moving further upstream of where IFC has traditionally operated to support clients in riskier markets by proactively working in these countries to create, deepen, and expand the markets themselves as well as develop a pipeline of investable projects. This strategy relies on a new approach that calls for closer WBG collaboration to maximize finance for development (“Cascade”) as well as closer work among IFC departments to create markets for private investment and increase the pipeline of investable projects (“Upstream”). Working with clients, we will first seek private sector solutions to address development challenges—where such solutions are advisable and can be effective—and reserve public financing for projects only when other options are suboptimal.

Duties & Accountabilities

The selected candidate will be expected to perform as a core team member under the supervision of a senior member of the team and will assist the project team leaders in the origination and execution of IFC’s advisory mandates in PPPs and privatizations across the MCT region.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Proactively contribute to business development activities in assigned countries. • Assist in the day-to-day management of project execution to contribute to the structuring of innovative PPP projects and to the development of recommendations to clients. • Assist in due diligence management, review of legal, commercial and technical outputs, project structure design, and drafting of project contractual documentation. • Prepare complex financial models and perform financial analysis. • Assist in managing project marketing to potential investors, completing roadshows, conducting prequalification and tendering (including negotiation of project agreements with bidders) up to award and commercial/financial close. • Participate in origination and marketing activities, e.g., undertake project scoping to assess feasibility of potential projects, preparation of pitchbooks and proposals. • Prepare notes and documentation for internal approval processes and procurement of consultants. • Participate in meetings with government ministries and departments and sub-national public entities to discuss and assess their needs and ideas to improve access to infrastructure and delivery of public services and to identify potential PPP projects for IFC transaction advisory assistance. • Understand the legal and regulatory impediments for private sector participation for assigned countries and work closely with the World Bank to overcome these. • Understand World Bank program for assigned countries and work with them to engage with government counterparts to implement a coordinated strategy to deliver private sector investment and mobilization. • Assist in coordinating closely with other parts of IFC including environmental and social, legal, other advisory and investment departments as well as World Bank colleagues to provide comprehensive and bespoke solutions to clients that will achieve sustainable development impact. • Assist in managing client expectations and provide appropriate advice as necessary through proposing practical solutions. • Assist in other project or strategy related activities as the need may arise.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s or equivalent degree in Finance, Management, or Accounting or a related specialty from a reputable university. • Minimum 4-5 years of post-graduate relevant experience gained with a leading financial institution working on PPP transaction advisory, M&A or privatization advisory on buy and/or sell side, project finance, private equity – all preferably with focus on the infrastructure sector. • 1-2 years of experience of sell-side/government PPP transaction advisory is considered a plus. • Strong analytical and up-to-date financial modeling/structuring skills with ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently. • Experience in infrastructure sectors (including power, transport, social sectors), with knowledge of sector trends, legal and regulatory requirements, and stakeholders (project developers, investors, technical and legal consultants), and with proven track record of working on successful infrastructure/PPP transactions. • Ability to operate in large, culturally diverse and geographically dispersed teams. • Ability to work under pressure and deliver high quality work within deadlines to meet team objectives. • Willingness and ability to travel on short notice and frequently, as required. • Excellent communication skills in English are essential and in Arabic strongly preferred. • Experience in a development institution is considered a plus.

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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