Principal Investment Officer at International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Roles and Responsibilities   

The role and responsibilities of the Principal Investment Officer will include, but will not be limited to:

New Business

• Lead Support and drive business development in the specific region   in line with FIG’s strategic equity and convertible debts investment themes 
• Understand and analyze macro developments and industry-level developments in the respective countries and think through how they might offer opportunities (or present risks to be mitigated) for FIG to consider equity and convertible debt investments
• Develop and leverage extensive networks with industry players and other investors, and working closely with the global equity team regional industry management, make pitches as appropriate, to create a healthy flow of early equity and convertible debt leads and then work with colleagues to refine them and identify an investable pipeline
• For new equity and convertible debt investments, work closely with the global equity team and  articulate: (i) Investment thesis;(ii) Investment  structure and valuation; and (iii) Equity management plan including exit strategy
• Lead execution of equity and convertible debt investments,  and provide expertise and guidance to teams executing smaller investments
• Provide inputs to, and incorporate guidance from Regional Industry Managers, Regional Industry Heads, Global Equity Heads, and other management members to develop and execute a profitable equity investment program
• Follow quality standards, structure robust equity and convertible debt investments, and set return targets for such investments

Portfolio Management and Value Creation

• Take leadership and responsibility in managing high-value/complex equity and convertible debt portfolio, including exit strategy formulation and exit execution, working closely with deal teams, the global equity team, and the Africa FIG Management
• Drive value creation at investee companies
• Devise and execute equity sales ensuring consistency with portfolio strategy
• Provide expertise and guidance to teams in managing smaller equity and convertible debt investments
• Support Regional Industry Managers in ensuring that the right candidates are appointed as nominee directors on the boards of IFC investee companies and assess their performance

Selection Criteria

• A Master's degree or equivalent professional qualification in finance or business and a minimum of 15 years of investment experience 
• Minimum five years of active private equity/ convertible debt/  investment experience at a private equity or debt fund setup, in-house private equity team of a reputable asset manager, or private equity investment teams of sovereign wealth funds, etc. 
• Proven track record in sourcing, leading, negotiating, executing, and exiting private equity and convertible debt investments. FIG equity investment experience in the Africa Region is a plus
• Strong network of contacts among reputable M&A firms, investment banks, financial institutions, private equity firms, institutional investors et 
• Sound investment judgment, demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality work and results under time pressure
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo to build the business 
• Recognized as a Good team player strategic thinker and thought leader
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; Fluency in English essential
• Ability to collaborate closely with development finance institutions, banks, microfinance institutions, non-bank financial institutions, and other strategic, financial, or institutional investors
• Ability to develop and manage relationships with C-Suite professionals, board of directors, and shareholders of investee companies
• Strong sense of service to clients and demonstrated business development aptitude
• Good “deal sense” based on demonstrated strong analytical skills and sound business judgment, especially in Equity and Convertibles debt investments
• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work across time zones