Project Finance Specialist (Business Development)

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You’ll support the sourcing of new business development opportunities for debt finance transactions, equity investments, & political risk insurance (PRI) contracts in developing countries and industries. You’ll discuss with companies on specific investment & PRI opportunities by providing explanations of DFC products, policies, & timelines for underwriting transactions, while also reviewing loan, guaranty, & PRI proposals eligibility.

Major Duties:

This position is in the Office of Energy of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (the Corporation) and provides business development support to the Office of Energy (OE) and the Office of Infrastructure (OI). As a Project Finance Specialist (Business Development), you will:

• Coordinate business development by establishing and maintaining business relationships with U.S. and foreign corporations, U.S. and foreign commercial banks and development finance institutions.
• Research and identify key potential clients or client groups, associations, industry sectors, regions, and/or target markets to increase OE and OI’s transaction pipelines.
• Discuss specific investment and political risk insurance opportunities with companies. Provide explanations of DFC products, policies, and timelines for underwriting transactions.
• Review projects to determine their suitability per DFC’s credit, policy, and development standards. Recommend those that qualify for further consideration. Write draft screening memos and participate in screening meetings for viable projects.
• Answer inquiries and referrals sourced from internal DFC and external contacts. Refer business leads to other departments, U.S. agencies and international finance institutions as appropriate.
• Develop marketing materials, informational materials, and presentation materials relating to the Corporation’s activities while also handling complex and sensitive business development, corporate marketing, client training, and business outreach efforts for the Corporation.
• Collect and maintain relevant quantitative and qualitative data relating to the OE and OI pipeline and portfolio to support internal briefings, external reporting, interagency requests and marketing output.
• Manage an organized tracking system to monitor Departmental activity using the Agency’s client management system.

IDEAL CANDIDATE: The ideal candidate will have experience supporting the sourcing of new business development opportunities for debt finance transactions, equity investments, and/or political risk insurance contracts in developing countries and industries. They will have experience discussing with companies on specific investment and/or political risk insurance opportunities by providing explanations of products, policies, and timelines for underwriting transactions, while also reviewing loan, guaranty, and/or political risk insurance proposals for credit, policy, and development eligibility.

Please Note: This is a Bargaining unit position represented by AFGE, local 1534.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Must submit resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
• Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Within 30 days of your start date, you will be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450)
• This position may require foreign travel to developing countries

Qualifications:

Applicants must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements no later than the closing date of this announcement.

You may qualify at the GS-11 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your experience in all of the following:
• Experience working with a team on international projects or investments under supervision of a senior specialist, while working at a commercial bank, investment bank, international financial institution, or multilateral organization; AND
• Experience identifying and conducting outreach to potential clients or client groups, associations, industry sectors, regions, and/or target markets to identify new business opportunities.

OR

• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.M. degree, if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position;

OR

• A combination of education and experience as listed above.

You may qualify at the GS-12 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirements:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your experience in all of the following:
• Experience reviewing investment financing applications for international project development, while working at a commercial bank, investment bank, international financial institution, or multilateral organization;
• Experience collecting and maintaining data and producing briefings, reports, and/or marketing material; AND
• Experience identifying and conducting outreach to potential clients or client groups, associations, industry sectors, regions, and/or target markets to identify new business opportunities.

Note: Education is not substitutional at this grade level.

You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirements:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your experience in all of the following:
• Experience reviewing investment financing applications for international project development, while working at a commercial bank, investment bank, international financial institution, or multilateral organization;
• Experience determining when international investment projects are feasible and creditworthy based on policies, procedures, goals and objectives; AND
• Experience identifying and building relationships with international business associations, industry groups, and/or regional chambers of commerce.

Note: Education is not substitutional at this grade level.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

This announcement may be used to fill similar positions, if additional vacancies occur.

Additional information:

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans’ preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility showing type of discharge/character of service. If you are claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, you must submit documentation from the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) showing type of discharge/character of service and your disability percentage. You may also submit an SF-15, “Application for 10-Point Veterans’ Preference” plus the documents listed in this form to support the claim for veteran preference. For more information on veterans’ preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/verify/).

Telework Suitability: The duties of this position are suitable for telework. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval and if they meet the eligibility criterion in the 2010 Telework Act.

Stipulations of Employment: Selection may require completion of a 1-year probationary period.

Work Schedule: This position allows for a flexible work schedule.

Miscellaneous: DFC uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.

If selection is made below the full performance level, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.

Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for this position.