Senior Investment Officer, Ghana - IFC

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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. Working with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities where they are needed most. Visit www.ifc.org

The Financial Institutions Group (FIG), one of IFC’s industry departments, supports projects in numerous financial sub sectors, partners with local financial institutions, develops domestic and regional equity and debt markets and introduces new financing instruments.  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 is recruiting a Senior Investment Officers (SIO) 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 Senior Investment Officer will be based in Accra, Ghana and report to the FIG Regional Industry Manager covering West and Central Africa (WCA).

Duties and Accountabilities

• Business Development: Source and assess opportunities, identify bankable projects in target regions, particularly less developed countries, and grow and develop new business transactions. Develop and guide teams in the preparation of pitchbooks and client proposals in support of new business.
• Structuring and Negotiation: Structure complex investments (comprising both debt and equity) according to understanding and assessment of client and country risks. Negotiate terms with clients, internal and external stakeholders, and partners, including senior management of IFC and clients (CEO, CFO). Prepare client/partner presentations and support their decision making at key transaction stages. 

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• Deal Execution: Lead transaction team from initiation, due diligence, internal approvals, and processing of debt and equity investment, actively handling key work and directing and coordinating work of other team members from across multiple departments. Take full responsibility and accountability for transaction related decisions and relationships. 
• Transaction Management: Deliver all transactions and accountabilities of the role efficiently, on a timely and expeditious basis and using best practice standards. Ensure that defined transactional requirements recorded in documentation are executed accordingly. Monitor the portfolio and report development results internally and externally. 
• Knowledge Sharing: Build IFC’s knowledge base for best practices and participate in knowledge sharing and dissemination. Initiate collaboration and share expertise as a subject matter expert, providing advice, peer review and contribution to knowledge products across WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions.
• Mentoring and coaching: mentor and coach less-experienced investment and advisory services staff and help build talent and grow skill base of staff.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in finance or similar relevant education; accreditation as a CFA or CPA is considered a plus;
• 12 – 14 years of relevant experience in the financial sector, including a solid operational understanding of commercial banks and other financial entities in West Africa in particular, and the Africa region in general;
• Demonstrated network of top-level contacts in the financial services and investment industries in the sub-region;
• Advanced financial, credit and risk evaluation skills, with demonstrated ability to structure and negotiate a variety of complex financial instruments (debt and equity); experience in portfolio management;
• Documented experience identifying, originating and qualifying new business opportunities developing and executing results-driven client engagements;
• Sound business judgment and strong problem solving/negotiation skills, as well as ability to work effectively on simultaneous projects under time pressure;
• Excellent business judgment and strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify issues and present creative, practical solutions;
• Capacity to deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule; facility to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries;
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with the business community and governmental authorities, as needed;
• Demonstrated strong written, presentation, and business level communications skills in English and French;
• Ability to synthesize and present information effectively and tailored to different audiences;
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development;
• The position requires regional and international travel.