Investment Officer, Upstream, Financial Institutions Group, LAC Region

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 foster economic development, IFC operates in over 100 countries, leveraging its capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. The organization's mission is to utilize the power of the private sector to eradicate extreme poverty and enhance shared prosperity on a livable planet. IFC is committed to sustainable development and aims to stimulate investment activity in frontier markets through its ambitious growth strategy, known as IFC 3.0.

Job Overview:
The Investment Officer (IO) will play a pivotal role within the Financial Institutions Group (FIG) Upstream/Advisory Team, focusing on the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region. The primary responsibility of the IO will be to structure and lead advisory and investment engagements that promote local capital markets, particularly in areas that enhance competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience. This position requires a deep understanding of structured finance, capital markets, and risk transfer mechanisms, as well as the ability to engage with various stakeholders to develop innovative and impactful financial solutions. The IO will work closely with regulators, financial institutions, and local capital markets to enhance their capabilities and will be expected to originate projects that align with IFC's strategic objectives. The role also involves cross-collaboration with FIG’s investment team to ensure alignment between advisory outputs and potential investments, as well as representing the Capital Markets Advisory Team in discussions with clients and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Investment Officer will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to: designing and structuring scalable Capital Markets solutions focusing on asset-backed securities (ABS), risk-sharing facilities, and climate-linked structured products; supporting the FIG Investment team in developing advisory/upstream projects; enhancing the securitization capabilities of financial institutions; originating advisory projects that align with IFC’s strategic pillars; providing technical expertise in ESG framework integration; collaborating with FIG’s investment team; developing knowledge management through documentation and training; representing the Capital Markets Advisory Team in discussions; scoping and designing new regional activities; planning and organizing project-related activities; identifying market and regulatory gaps; and leading projects related to Capital Markets and Structured Finance.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Finance or an MBA with a minor in finance, along with a minimum of 8 years of experience in capital markets and structured finance within the LAC region. They should have demonstrated leadership in securitization, risk transfer products, and ESG-aligned debt instruments. A deep understanding of financial sector challenges and market practices in local Capital Markets, particularly in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Colombia, is essential. Successful candidates will have experience engaging with credit rating agencies and institutional investors, strong project design and stakeholder management capabilities, and proficiency in structuring fixed-income products. Certifications such as CFA Level I or FRM I are preferred.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in Finance or an MBA with a focus on finance. This advanced education is crucial for understanding complex financial instruments and market dynamics, which are essential for the role of Investment Officer.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in capital markets and structured finance, specifically within the LAC region. Candidates should have a proven track record of leadership in securitization and risk transfer products, as well as experience in engaging with financial institutions and regulatory bodies.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Spanish is mandatory for this position, as effective communication with diverse stakeholders is critical. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is a local recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 3 years. The role is full-time and may require frequent travel within the region to implement project activities. 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. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates.