Manages and oversees a range of responsibilities aimed at ensuring operational efficiency, upholding quality standards, and aligning with organizational objectives. Accountable for leading teams, fostering collaboration, and driving performance to meet established goals. Responsibilities include implementing policies, monitoring progress, resolving challenges, and maintaining compliance with industry regulations. Works closely with stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure seamless workflows. Requires strong leadership, analytical thinking, and the ability to adapt to dynamic business environments.
This position demands a strong passion for private equity and venture capital investments, global business operations, emerging markets, and initiatives that drive developmental impact. The Senior Investment Officer’s duties encompass four key areas: new business development, portfolio oversight, program administration, and strategic corporate planning.
Develop and execute the strategic framework for CPV’s funds platforms, namely SME Ventures and Start-up Catalyst, while providing data-driven recommendations to refine strategy objectives and necessary adjustments.
Drive the identification, assessment, and negotiation of new business prospects while overseeing transaction structuring, collaborating extensively with regional teams and industry-specific partners to ensure alignment and strategic execution.
Conduct in-depth research on the target countries for the platforms, gather comprehensive market intelligence, and cultivate robust business networks to drive strategic growth and opportunity identification.
Conduct comprehensive market research to identify and evaluate potential fund investment opportunities, building a robust pipeline for the platforms. Analyze market activity and assess the attractiveness of fund prospects to gauge future trends, while pinpointing top-tier fund managers capable of fulfilling the mandate. Additionally, review the forward fundraising calendars of active fund managers to stay informed of upcoming opportunities.
Articulate IFC’s strategy for SME Private Equity funds and early-stage Venture Capital funds, along with the rationale behind targeted transaction engagements, to both internal teams and external partners.
Conduct thorough due diligence on potential funds before strategically developing and executing investments in SME private equity and early-stage venture capital funds.
Conduct a thorough evaluation of current fund investments and portfolio companies, serve as IFC’s representative on funds’ advisory committees, and develop and recommend strategic solutions for any fund-related challenges requiring resolution.
Oversee the global portfolio of SME private equity and early-stage venture capital fund investments, providing portfolio companies with access to IFC and broader World Bank Group resources and expertise to drive growth and value creation.
Analyze macroeconomic trends, corporate financial performance, and sector-specific data to identify and assess potential risks or opportunities that could impact IFC’s investment portfolio, proposing appropriate strategic responses as required.
Support initiatives aimed at establishing and expanding new markets to promote investment in private capital, SMEs, and early-stage VC funds across frontier markets, ensuring alignment with country-specific, sector-focused, and IDA/FCS strategic priorities.
Develop and nurture robust relationships with key stakeholders across global small and medium-sized enterprise private equity firms and early-stage venture capital funds to expand networks, uncover new investment opportunities, oversee portfolio performance, and foster connections for both commercial collaborations and strategic alliances.
Represent IFC’s Private Equity and Venture Capital teams at both internal and external events, spearheading initiatives, fostering partnerships, and driving engagement in PE and VC-related business to strengthen IFC’s strategic influence across all global markets.
Coordinate and curate the yearly SME Ventures Forum alongside other pertinent program events, ensuring seamless planning and execution.
Collaborate with advisory team members to identify and deploy pertinent programming initiatives through the cross-functional solutions team, enhancing value creation, institutionalizing GP best practices, and strengthening LP engagement for the firm’s funds.
Oversee a group of investment professionals engaged in platform-based projects, ensuring cohesive collaboration and optimal performance across the team.
Selection Criteria
A minimum of 12 to 15 years of professional experience is essential, including at least 6 to 8 years specifically in investment banking, private equity, or venture capital investing, with proven transaction expertise in emerging markets spanning various geographic regions.
An MBA or equivalent qualification is mandatory, with a preference for candidates possessing this credential from a globally recognized institution.
Expertise in the private equity and venture capital landscapes across various emerging and frontier markets is essential.
Experienced in collaborating with private equity and venture capital fund managers, cultivating a robust pipeline of prospective investment opportunities, and analyzing fund strategies.
Individuals should possess transactional expertise and analytical proficiency in limited partnership investing.
Effective and established relationships with private equity and venture capital funds, research organizations, private enterprises, and financial and strategic investors actively engaged across diverse emerging market private equity and venture capital ecosystems are required.
Proficiency in overseeing funds portfolio management is essential, along with a track record of serving as a member of a limited partner advisory committee.
Proven capability to swiftly grasp the fundamental factors influencing diverse business models, identify key challenges, and develop strategic solutions within the framework of private equity and venture capital investments.
With a robust background supporting SMEs and early-stage ventures in emerging markets, you will advise fund managers on implementing strategic operational enhancements and fostering sustainable value creation.
Demonstrates a strong aptitude for engaging with complex markets and brings valuable expertise in frontier markets, as well as in fragile and conflict-affected countries prioritized by the platforms.
With a proven track record in event coordination and hosting, you will drive advisory initiatives by meticulously managing budgets, establishing and monitoring key performance indicators to evaluate impact, and ensuring rigorous compliance through detailed reporting and audit adherence.
Requires exceptional professional integrity and keen business judgment to evaluate prospective fund investments and suitable fund manager partners.
Proficient in both verbal and written English communication, with fluency in additional languages considered advantageous. Additionally, possesses exceptional interpersonal skills to effectively engage and build trust with CEOs and general partners on a global scale, as well as to confidently represent IFC with clients and high-level stakeholders.
A visionary strategist capable of comprehending the “big picture” of private sector development challenges at the country, regional, and global levels, while proactively uncovering transformative opportunities.
Demonstrates exceptional organizational abilities, thrives in fast-paced environments, effectively manages competing priorities, and adapts seamlessly to sudden changes in client demands or unstructured challenges.
Capable of thriving within a matrix organizational framework, with a proven aptitude for guiding and inspiring a diverse, multicultural team spanning multiple geographic locations.
Requires exceptional analytical, financial, and problem-solving abilities, along with strong interpersonal skills and well-developed business judgment to effectively identify challenges and propose innovative yet pragmatic solutions.
Demonstrates a robust commitment to client service, embracing constructive feedback and innovative concepts with enthusiasm.
We are seeking candidates who demonstrate a sincere dedication to the mission, strategy, and core values of the World Bank Group and the International Finance Corporation.
Extensive travel capability and a readiness to operate across multiple time zones are essential.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
12 - 15 years
