Senior 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.

IFC sees private equity and venture capital as making a valuable contribution to development by providing capital and know-how to fast-growing companies that are leading drivers of job creation in emerging markets. In addition to its more traditional business, IFC supports these companies through its Disruptive Technologies Group, which invests directly in early venture companies as well as venture funds. 

IFC is seeking a Senior Investment Officer to provide coverage for IFC’s disruptive technologies and venture investment program as the South Asia regional lead. The selected candidate will be responsible for 1) providing leadership and oversight responsibilities for all of IFC’s VC investment activities and portfolio in the South Asia region; 2) developing relevant corporate initiatives, partnerships, and upstream engagements to enhance IFC’s strategic positioning in the VC space in the region, 3) working closely with the broader IFC and World Bank teams on building and strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems across the region.  

S/he will be based in Mumbai and will report to the Global Head and the Global Portfolio Manager of the Disruptive Technologies and Venture Capital team (CDFDT). The role will include supervision responsibilities for a team of regional investment staff.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Establish, build, and maintain strong relationships with the venture ecosystem across South Asia, including early to growth stage start-ups, venture, corporate and strategic investors, and development partners.
• Develop strong relationships with leading industry strategics across relevant industry verticals (i.e. energy, financial institutions, manufacturing, healthcare, agribusiness, and logistics) to facilitate connections with portfolio companies for commercial and strategic partnerships.
• Lead business development, due diligence, negotiation, and transaction structuring of new business opportunities and liaise extensively with colleagues across the regions and industry verticals.
• Develop and make strategic direct venture investments, VC funds investments, and co-investments for the region in target sectors based on rigorous due diligence of prospective early growth stage ventures, strong technology analysis, business model, and financial valuation. Lead all aspects of investment transaction/ deal cycle including due diligence, board report, investment review recommendation, legal structuring, and portfolio supervision.
• Support the identification of and development of upstream and market creation initiatives to foster tech innovation and related venture ecosystem building in relevant emerging markets in alignment with country and sector strategies.
• Manage and oversee existing portfolio of direct VC investments, co-investments, and VC funds investments in South Asia; helping investees leverage the resources and expertise of IFC and the broader World Bank Group. Portfolio responsibilities would include representing IFC on boards of portfolio companies as nominee director and as LPAC member with a focus on driving value creation.
• Represent IFC’s disruptive technologies team in internal and external events, and develop relevant corporate initiatives, partnerships, and engagement for the region to enhance IFC’s strategic positioning in the disruptive technology space across all relevant industry verticals.

Selection Criteria

• At least 10-12 years of work experience of which at least 5-8 years of venture capital or private equity experience, in South Asia and/or emerging markets transaction experience.  Prior experience in, investment banking or business/corporate development will be considered.
• Significant transaction experience in and analytical knowledge of venture investing; specific sub-sector knowledge in one of the focused areas a plus (i.e. digital health, e-logistic/ supply chain; edtech; fintech, agtech; enterprise software solution).
• Experience in lead negotiating and structuring complex equity transactions;
• Existing and usable network amongst financial investors and strategic investors in emerging markets.
• Experience in portfolio management, including facilitation of exits.  Having prior experience as an investee company board director or operational experience at a venture-backed company is a plus.
• Advanced degree required, MBA from leading international institutions preferred.
• Written competency and spoken language fluency in English.
• Excellent financial and analytical skills; strong team leadership skills preferred.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=27155&site=1