Associate Investment Officer

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

Private sector financial development is essential to the promotion of successful and sustainable economies in low- and middle-income countries around the world. Sound and efficient financial markets can ensure that resources are allocated where they are most productive, assisting job creation and spurring economic growth. IFC’s goal is to prioritize investment in the financial sector because it promotes development in all other sectors.

The Financial Institutions Group (FIG), one of IFC’s industry departments, supports projects in numerous financial sub-sectors, partners with local financial institutions, develops domestic and regional equity and debt markets, and introduces new financing instruments. FIG engages in a wide range of sub-sectors including Microfinance, SME, Gender, Climate, Insurance, Capital Markets, Housing, Distressed Assets, and other areas, with both investment and advisory services. The goal is to develop efficient financial systems that will increase financial inclusion and fuel economic growth in client countries and enhance IFC’s developmental impact. 

 FIG’s Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, and Turkey (MCT) team is based across the region with main hubs and locations in Istanbul, Dubai, Karachi, and Amman. The team members work on both new business development and processing, and portfolio management across the region.

The FIG MCT team is seeking to hire an Associate Investment Officer based in Karachi, Pakistan to help grow and develop business, particularly in the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan sub-region of MCT.

Roles and Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of banking, financial institutions, and related industry knowledge
• Help the FIG MCT team develop and evaluate a pipeline of good-quality investment opportunities. Identify and evaluate opportunities to increase the social development impact of new or portfolio projects
• Contribute to the processing of transactions, including the development of appropriate financial structures for transactions
• Become a member of the team, that structures, negotiates, and closes new transactions, capital increases, and equity sales, as necessary, with a strong focus on client and asset quality (includes evaluating new opportunities, processing mandates, due diligence, negotiating term sheets and other documents)
• Support investment transactions as required from initiation, due diligence, internal approvals, processing and negotiations of debt and equity investment, actively handling key work and coordinating work of other team members from across multiple departments
• Take responsibility for the proactive management of multiple portfolio investments
• Conduct sector-specific data analysis and stress-testing of various operating models, as needed, to help generate ideas for new projects, new products, and platform businesses

Selection Criteria

• MBA or equivalent MA level qualification with specialization in finance
• At least 5+ years’ working experience in finance and banking with a proven track record of supporting the origination, structuring, and closing processes of investments, along with portfolio supervision work, as well as client relationship management
• Demonstrated sound business judgment, problem-solving skills, and strong financial and credit knowledge (debt and equity)
• Financial modeling skills
• Client relationship skills, track record, and ability to focus on clients’ needs effectively
• Ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries
• Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds
• Highly motivated, committed to the highest ethical standards
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently is required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are an absolute must, including a demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and tactfully to a variety of audiences; fluency in Urdu would be a plus for this role

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=27579&site=1