Principal Investment Officer, req4218- Johannesburg, South Africa; Dakar,Senegal; Nairobi, Kenya at World Bank Group

Description

The Infrastructure and Natural Resources (INR) Industry Department is one of IFC’s key strategic priorities.  The team delivers financial and technical support to clients in the power, transport, telecoms, municipal & environmental infrastructure, oil and gas, and mining sectors, from IFC’s own balance sheet and through mobilization of other capital.  The Department also seeks to maintain IFC, as part of the World Bank Group, at the cutting-edge of helping member countries find solutions to new and emerging infrastructure and natural resource issues. 

The Global Infrastructure Project Development Fund (GIPDF, also known as IFC InfraVentures (IFC IV)), is a flagship Infrastructure & Natural Resources (INR) “Creating Markets” initiative.  First approved by the Board in 2008, it was renewed with strong support at Board in June 2018, with a new $150 million envelope to be committed over a five-year period.  The purpose of IFC IV is to address the shortage of investable/bankable infrastructure projects by providing both capital at risk from the IFC IV envelope and IFC expertise during project development, in exchange for the option for IFC to provide follow-on IFC “mainstream” financing in the projects or initiatives supported by IFC IV.

IFC IV falls under the Global Upstream Unit (GUU) in INR but relies on dedicated IFC IV practitioners in the regions (primarily Africa and East Asia / Pacific, but also Middle East / North Africa) and “mainstream” Investment Officers (IOs) to provide the bulk of development work for IFC IV-supported projects.  Global coordination and decision making are provided by the Global Head IFC InfraVentures, who is also responsible for portfolio management as well as administration of and reporting from the IFC IV envelope. 

IFC is seeking a Regional Lead, IFC InfraVentures, Middle East and Africa (MEA) to be based in one of the African sub-regional hub offices (Johannesburg, Dakar or Nairobi), to lead IFC IV business within the MEA region and, after a period of consolidation, drive the growth of the facility pipeline, in coordination with the MEA INR regional management team and with the GUU.  S/he will report to the INR Upstream Manager for MEA.

Duties and Accountabilities

The roles and responsibilities of the position will include but not be limited to:

• Strategy – maintain and implement an IFC IV strategy for MEA.
• Origination – lead business development activities for IFC IV in MEA and develop a strong pipeline of project development investment opportunities by anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge.
• Supervision – support teams in structuring, processing, documenting and managing IFC IV projects across all infrastructure sectors in MEA, including direct involvement in teams and providing 'QA/QC' oversight of infrastructure project documents, including Concession Agreements, Power Purchase Agreements, EPC Contracts, O&M Agreements, Fuel Supply Agreements, etc.
• Innovation – develop new / alternative models for IFC IV engagements, to build a project pipeline.
• Partners – explore and develop opportunities for long-term partnerships with developers / platforms.
• Global IV – interface and coordinate with the Global Head, IFC IV, and IFC IV teams in other regions, in the administration and development of, and reporting on, the IFC IV facility.
• Other stakeholders – liaise with colleagues across the WBG, including IFC's Transaction Advisory Services team, the World Bank's Global Practice Units and regional colleagues from MIGA, as well as with external stakeholders.
• Governance – participate in decision making on IFC IV projects in MEA, in accordance with the relevant role in IFC IV’s Operational Procedures.
• Resourcing – work with INR MEA leadership to ensure approved IFC IV engagements are properly staffed.
• Knowledge management – maintain a strong understanding of project and concession financing, policy issues, license conditions, tariff regimes, privatizations, and collaborate on these matters as appropriate with Bank policy specialists and host government regulators and officials and ensure knowledge dissemination across the WBG.
• Client relationship – build and maintain strong relationships with local/regional/global infrastructure companies, banking and multilateral partners, suppliers and government officials to further develop the sector, to build consensus around project proposals and develop bankable projects.

Selection Criteria

• At least a Master's degree, or equivalent professional qualification, in Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or Law plus 10 years of relevant experience.
• 10 years of experience in the developing world in a project development function for a private-sector developer (for example in the power sector) or on non-routine financing or development of private or PPP infrastructure projects in challenging environments.  Familiarity with project management, documentation negotiations (PPAs, concessions, EPC and O&M contracts, etc.), financing.  Deep understanding of bankability constraints for greenfield projects a must.
• Commitment to the World Bank Group and IFC's mission, strategy and values.
• Good understanding of IFC’s strategies, systems, functions and abilities; experience in IFC (or other DFI) “mainstream” operations a distinct advantage.
• Track-record of engaging with client companies, shareholders, and government officials to encourage pioneering business and market development.
• Strong capacity for innovation and challenging the status quo to build the business.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.  Strong inter-personal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to mentor and coach junior staff, share experiences and ensure quality across IFC IV activities. 

The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.  Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.