(Associate) Investment Officer, Financial Institution Group (FIG)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group and is recognized as the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Established to promote economic development by encouraging private sector investment, IFC operates in over 100 countries worldwide. The organization leverages its capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities that can help alleviate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity on a livable planet. With a mission to foster sustainable economic growth, IFC plays a crucial role in enhancing the private sector's contribution to development, thereby improving the quality of life for people in emerging economies.

Job Overview:
The (Associate) Investment Officer position within the Financial Institutions Group (FIG) at IFC is pivotal for managing a significant portion of IFC's business, which constitutes approximately 40% of its overall volume and capital at risk. The role is based in Beijing and requires a strong understanding of investment policies and practices specific to the financial sector in China. The selected candidate will be instrumental in developing a high-quality investment pipeline, growing investment solutions, and achieving strong profitability while ensuring a positive development impact. The position demands building and nurturing client relationships to establish IFC as the preferred partner for key clients, as well as managing a portfolio of assets to ensure profitability and impact.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the (Associate) Investment Officer include:

• Contributing to the drafting of strategies for sectors, countries, or regions to enhance business development and executing strategies for client engagements aimed at building a robust investment pipeline.
• Gathering market intelligence to stay updated on emerging trends that could impact the country or subsector portfolio.
• Shaping business leads into actionable concepts by identifying and screening potential investment opportunities, preparing investment theses, and leading the structuring of these opportunities.
• Working independently or collaboratively with senior staff on investment transactions, ensuring thorough due diligence, timely processing, and client satisfaction while maintaining the integrity of legal documents.
• Negotiating moderately complex waivers, amendments, and rescheduling, and preparing official restructuring memos for approval.
• Participating in teams led by senior investment officers to develop sector interventions and client engagement plans for strategic clients.
• Performing complex credit risk rating assessments, covenant compliance reviews, and development impact assessments, while reviewing the quality of portfolio work conducted by junior staff.
• Assessing project development impact and articulating the realization of market creation impact for moderately complex transactions.
• Preparing investment committee materials that focus on financial and non-financial risk assessments and structuring in moderately complex transactions, applying knowledge of policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the (Associate) Investment Officer position include:

• A Master's degree or equivalent in business, finance, economics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 4 years of relevant experience, demonstrating a proven track record in business consulting, investment banking, or operational experience within the financial sector.
• A comprehensive understanding of the economy, FIG subsectors, regulatory fundamentals, market benchmarks, and the latest trends affecting investment and business growth in China.
• The ability to articulate IFC’s requirements, value-add, financial and non-financial risks, development impact, and sustainability measurement in a manner that is clear and understandable to clients and stakeholders.
• Strong oral presentation skills to defend proposed deals convincingly to various audiences, including the preparation of well-written IRM books and complex portfolio documentation.
• Skills in maintaining client engagement during the portfolio stage to identify growth opportunities and address emerging challenges while ensuring development impact objectives are met.
• Leadership abilities to guide, mentor, and coach junior staff and peers, providing on-the-job learning opportunities.
• Proficiency in reviewing financial analytical work performed by team members for moderately complex transactions, ensuring quality control and directing appropriate analysis to understand project risk factors.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in business, finance, economics, or a related field. This educational background is essential to equip the candidate with the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills required for the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 4 years of relevant experience, which should include a proven track record in business consulting, investment banking, or operational experience in the financial sector. This level of experience is crucial for understanding the complexities of investment transactions and client engagement.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English and Chinese (Mandarin). Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication with clients and stakeholders. While no additional languages are specified as preferred, having knowledge of other languages could be beneficial in a diverse working environment.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is set for 3 years. The recruitment type is local, indicating that the position is intended for candidates already residing in China. The role is full-time, and the organization emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or other characteristics. The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including retirement plans, medical and life insurance, paid leave, and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.