Principal/Chief Credit Officer

Overview

Join IFC as Principal/Chief Credit Officer to provide risk assessment and ensure compliance in investments.

You have:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in finance, business, with a minimum 15 years of experience in lending and investing at a major international financial institution, including 5-10 years as a decision-maker; equity experience is an advantage.
• Experience in Emerging Markets, particularly Africa, is preferred.
• Significant credit risk management experience across sectors and products.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to synthesize complex information clearly.
• Strong experience across debt and equity products, with deep expertise in financial analysis, deal structuring, and documentation.
• Strong investment judgment, analytical rigor, and independence of thought, with sound deal sense and a consistent record of high-quality decisions.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Strong people management and mentoring skills, with openness to feedback and innovative ideas.
• Sound understanding of global, regional, and market dynamics, with the ability to build effective external relationships.
• High integrity, strong results orientation, and the ability to work independently and effectively in a complex matrix and multicultural environment.

Principal/Chief Credit Officer

Job #: req36904 Organization: IFC Sector: Investment Grade: GH Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Nairobi,Kenya Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 6/26/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC Description

Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.

The 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 in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit: https://www.ifc.org

The successful candidate would join IFC's Investment and Credit Risk Department (CIRIC), part of the Risk and Financial Sustainability Vice-presidency. CIRIC is responsible for providing an independent risk-reward assessment for all new investment transactions and material portfolio events and providing clearance for such transactions at various stages of the investment cycle.

Chief Credit Officers are specialized and experienced risk professionals that are part of the independent risk oversight system. They are responsible for reviewing and approving investment proposals and material portfolio actions submitted by IFC's investment teams. In addition, working with investment teams on identifying and mitigating credit and equity risk, they ensure that the investment transactions meet IFC's minimum investment standards as required by any applicable policies, procedures, or guidelines, as well as the risk appetite established by senior management. They also play an essential role in maintaining an investment culture within IFC by disseminating credit and equity expertise and best practice through various knowledge management activities.

IFC is now seeking a Chief Credit Officer to join its Investment and Credit Risk Department. This professional will become part of a formal investment approval hierarchy, serving as "second pair of eyes" in IFC's checks and balances for all IFC investments. S/he will be responsible for providing credit reviews and approvals for new transactions and portfolio monitoring and representing CIRIC on different committees and working groups.

This role requires deep expertise in emerging markets, transaction structuring, sector and macroeconomic dynamics, financial analysis, credit risk, equity valuation, legal structuring, and financial instruments to assess opportunities and risks across both new transactions and portfolio clients.

Candidates should also demonstrate a strong track record in transaction execution and deep investment expertise.

The Principal/Chief Credit Officer (CO) will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, and report to the relevant Regional Chief Risk Officer (RCRO).

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Provide objective and independent risk assessment for transaction approvals and portfolio monitoring, while meeting the Standard Level Agreements in the Credit Client Service Framework.

• Serve as a second pair of eyes throughout the investment cycle, partnering with business teams from early review through post-disbursement on transaction structure, documentation, financial performance, covenant compliance, ratings, portfolio trends, and risk mitigation tools.

• Ensure new transactions and portfolio actions comply with IFC policies, procedures, and best practices in support of IFC’s financial and development objectives.

• Help maintain a sound risk-reward balance consistent with IFC’s risk appetite and portfolio quality standards.

• Approve the initial credit risk rating and facility rating for new transactions and review sample portfolio ratings on an ongoing basis.

• Visit transaction teams and/or clients in key office locations to get a first-hand understanding of market conditions and risks.

• Contribute to knowledge sharing and staff development through training, investment FAQs, and other departmental initiatives, and mentor more junior staff.

• Participate in reviews and discussions of credit standards, pricing, deal acceptance criteria, and business process improvement, and represent the department on relevant working groups.

• Advise the RCRO and VP Risk on new transactions or portfolio developments, which could adversely affect IFC’s asset quality, developmental impact, or future performance.

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Selection Criteria

• A Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in finance, business, with a minimum 15 years of experience in lending and investing at a major international financial institution, including 5–10 years as a decision-maker; equity experience is an advantage.

• Experience in Emerging Markets, particularly Africa, is preferred.

• Significant credit risk management experience across sectors and products, including the ability to assess and apply risk procedures judgmentally on a case-by-case basis.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to synthesize complex information clearly.

• Strong experience across debt and equity products, with deep expertise in financial analysis, deal structuring, and documentation.

• Strong investment judgment, analytical rigor, and independence of thought, with sound deal sense and a consistent record of high-quality decisions.

• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and negotiation skills, with the ability to collaborate across the organization, build buy-in, and deliver results under pressure.

• Demonstrated capacity to resolve conflicts constructively, exercise sound judgment in complex decision-making, and convey outcomes clearly to diverse stakeholders.

• Strong people management and mentoring skills, with openness to feedback and innovative ideas.

• Sound understanding of global, regional, and market dynamics, with the ability to build effective external relationships.

• High integrity, strong results orientation, and the ability to work independently and effectively in a complex matrix and multicultural environment.

• Recognized team player and leader with the ability to build strong relationships across boundaries.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders. 2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact. 3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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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Potential interview questions

Added 16 hours ago - Updated 6 hours ago - Source: worldbank.org