Investment Officer - Infrastructure, Equity

Job Posting Organization:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group, which is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Established to promote private sector investment in developing countries, IFC focuses on creating markets and opportunities in emerging markets. With a presence in over 100 countries and a commitment of $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in fiscal year 2025, IFC plays a crucial role in leveraging private sector solutions to combat poverty and promote sustainable development. The organization operates with a mission to end poverty and increase shared prosperity, working closely with public and private sector partners to address the most pressing global challenges. The Europe Infrastructure and Energy unit, where this position is located, is a dynamic team that develops, advises, structures, and invests in infrastructure projects across various sectors, including power, transportation, and urban infrastructure.

Job Overview:
The Investment Officer position at IFC in Paris is a pivotal role that involves working closely with the Europe Infrastructure and Equity lead and other equity-focused colleagues. The primary expectation from this position is to contribute to the growth and management of IFC’s equity and mezzanine business. The ideal candidate will possess strong equity experience and investment skills, particularly in investment analysis and project management. This role requires evaluating new investment opportunities, conducting rigorous financial and investment analysis, and contributing to the structuring and execution of transactions. Additionally, the Investment Officer will play a key role in portfolio management, building relationships with clients, overseeing project milestones, and contributing to sustainable private sector investments that alleviate poverty and improve lives in emerging markets. The selected candidate will work across all of IFC’s mandate countries in emerging Europe, making this a unique opportunity to impact the region significantly.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Investment Officer will be responsible for developing a thorough understanding of the infrastructure and energy sectors in emerging Europe. This includes identifying potential investment partners and opportunities based on industry experience, track record, reputation, market potential, financial capability, and strategic fit. The officer will participate in equity business development activities aligned with infrastructure and energy investment themes. A critical aspect of the role involves assessing the attractiveness of specific investment opportunities, focusing on investment merit and development impact, and making recommendations to IFC management. The officer will execute equity and mezzanine financings, which entails conducting due diligence, structuring deals, negotiating terms, building financial models, and managing portfolios across various infrastructure sub-sectors. Collaboration with other departments is essential to support the development and implementation of relevant sector strategies. The officer will also manage environmental, social, technical, legal, insurance, corporate governance, and other risks in projects, ensuring client adherence to investment terms and generating supervision reports. High-quality client service throughout the project cycle, from transaction sourcing to supervision, is expected, along with preparing detailed portfolio reports that provide insights into project potential, risks, and issues. Engaging with client counterparts to understand their business directions and supporting the design of client engagement plans will also be part of the responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least a Master’s degree or an equivalent professional qualification in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of work experience in a major commercial or investment bank with a significant presence in emerging markets, an international financial institution, a sovereign wealth fund, or an infrastructure/private equity fund manager is required. Experience in sourcing, structuring, and executing equity transactions, as well as managing complex transactions, is essential. A strong track record in infrastructure and energy sub-sectors is highly desired. Candidates should have a solid understanding of industry drivers, business/market cycles, performance metrics, and evolving industry dynamics within the region. Proven analytical, financial analysis, equity valuation, and financial modeling skills are necessary to analyze and draw conclusions from company financial information or projects. Strong client relationship skills and the ability to monitor milestones and deliverables independently are also crucial.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in relevant fields such as Business, Finance, or Economics. This advanced education is essential to equip candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform effectively in the role, particularly in understanding complex financial instruments and investment strategies.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in roles that involve significant exposure to emerging markets. Candidates should have a proven track record in sourcing, structuring, and executing equity transactions, as well as managing complex transactions across various sectors, especially in infrastructure and energy. This level of experience is critical to ensure that the Investment Officer can navigate the challenges and opportunities present in the emerging markets effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization. Proficiency in other languages spoken in emerging Europe is considered a plus, as it can enhance communication with local stakeholders and clients, thereby facilitating better relationship management and project execution.

Additional Notes:
This position is a local recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 3 years. The role is full-time and involves extensive travel, requiring geographic flexibility. The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.