Investment Officer

IFC’s LAC Infrastructure unit is an open and dynamic team that delivers financial and technical support to clients in the power, transport, telecoms, municipal & environmental infrastructure, and natural resources 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 resources issues.

The selected candidate will be based in Mexico City, Mexico. This role will be an integral part of the Mexico investment team working across the business cycle (business development, “upstream,” new investments, and portfolio), but focusing on business development, processing, and managing IFC’s investments in infrastructure and the digital economy. 

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Business Development:

• Identify bankable projects anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge; synthesize information into internal reports for decision-making purposes.
• Work independently and with more senior staff to develop a strong pipeline of good-quality investment opportunities.
• Coordinate closely with advisory and environmental & social teams to add value to our client’s businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact.
• Produce country and sector analysis, marketing materials, and pitch books.
• Manage relationships with clients, including global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners, and government officials to further develop the sector and to develop specific investment opportunities.
• Undertake market coverage including gathering market intelligence (conduct research, talking to key stakeholders, etc), mapping market players, and analyzing trends, emerging risks, and opportunities.

Structuring and Negotiation:

• Evaluate, structure, negotiate, and close new debt, mezzanine and equity transactions, under project finance or corporate finance structures.
• Develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions. Participate in or lead negotiations as appropriate; use financial competencies and personal influencing skills to overcome impasses and lead negotiations to a successful outcome.

Deal Execution and Transaction Management: 

• Deliver all transactions with accountability of the role in an efficient, timely and expeditious basis, and using best practice standards.
• Draft materials to present the transaction to different internal audiences for decision-making.
• Thoroughly review work provided by clients and prepared by team members, including financial modeling preparation and/or review to ensure solid structure and consistency with legal documents with agreed-upon terms.

Portfolio Monitoring:

• Monitor the portfolio and report development results internally and externally.
• Coordinate closely with social, environmental, legal, and technical assistance colleagues in structuring transactions to add value to our clients’ businesses, find pragmatic solutions to project and sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact.
• Ensure that transactional requirements recorded in the documentation are monitored and in compliance.
• Process waivers and restructurings diligently and swiftly, working with portfolio management, credit, CSO (if applicable), and other support units (legal, E&S, etc.).
• Foster and grow the relationship with the client, which can lead to repeat business opportunities.
• Mentor and coach more junior team members (ensuring quality control).

Strategy Development and Knowledge Sharing:

• Contribute to drafting strategies for sectors, countries, or regions for business development as needed; and develop and execute strategies for more complex client engagements to build a robust investment pipeline.
• Build IFC’s knowledge base for best practices and participate in knowledge sharing and dissemination. Initiate collaboration and share expertise to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions.
• Promote the IFC brand and represent IFC at conferences and workshops if the opportunity arises.
• Maintain relationships with clients and other stakeholders (government, development partners, WBG) who are at a level where they can influentially participate in developing immediate and future business opportunities.

Mentoring and coaching: 

• Mentoring, coaching and supervision of less-experienced colleagues to help build talent and grow the skill base of staff. Help build a conducive and good business environment by leading by example.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in finance or similar relevant education.
• Related fields of education include business, finance, or economics or an area of expertise specific to a sector, subject matter, or industry specialty.
• At least 8–10 years of experience with a development finance institution, a commercial bank, an international financial institution, a private equity firm, or consulting firm with tasks related to private sector infrastructure financing and development.
• Relevant experience with a proven track record of sourcing, structuring, and closing investments.
• Knowledge of the various infrastructure & energy core subsectors (power, transportation, telecom, water & sanitation).
• Demonstrated ability to structure different instruments across the capital structure (debt, equity, mezzanine), and throughout contractual structures (project finance, corporate finance).
• Strong financial and credit skills; demonstrated ability to present investments to internal committees, and structure and close investments in infrastructure subsectors and portfolio supervision of complex transactions.
• Business development and client relationship skills, track record, and ability to effectively focus on client’s needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish (full business proficiency). Portuguese language skills is a plus.
• Ability to interact directly and independently with C-suite and managerial levels of clients.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds.
• Proven ability to function effectively as a team member of multi-disciplinary teams and resolve conflicts constructively.
• Prior work experience in Latin America and deep understanding of the Mexican infrastructure and energy market is strongly desired.
• Ability to guide, advise, mentor, and coach junior staff and peers to develop and broaden their scope of skills, including providing on-the-job learning opportunities.
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development and to the highest ethical standards.
• Willingness to travel.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=29798&site=1