Principal Investment Officer, Financial Institutions, Sub-Saharan Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

• Organization: IFC - International Finance Corporation
• Country: South Africa
• City: Johannesburg, South Africa
• Office: IFC Johannesburg

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Closing date: Wednesday, 27 May 2015

Background / General description
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is a global leader, investor and advisor committed to projects in its developing member countries that reduce extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. IFC finances private sector investments, mobilizes capital in the international financial markets, helps clients improve social and environmental sustainability, and provides technical assistance and advice to businesses and governments in the developing world. 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) is one of three major industry groups at IFC, responsible for managing roughly 40% of IFC's overall business in terms of volume and capital at risk. 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 delivered globally to IFC's clients through IFC's global network. FIG is recruiting a principal investment officer to join the Investment and Portfolio Team, which originates, manages and monitors IFC's financial sector investments in South Africa, including investments that support the institutions' regional expansion across Africa. The principal investment officer will report to the Financial Institutions Group Industry Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa.
Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.
Duties and Accountabilities
The principal investment officer will lead IFC FIG investment, portfolio and relationship management activities with South Africa based financial institutions:

• Perform the role of IFC Client Service Leader, the designated top-level relationship manager for South Africa financial institutions at CEO, board and key shareholder level;
• In coordination with transactions teams, ensure quality in the origination and structuring of new transactions in a strategic context;
• Provide insight into sector developments in the South African financial services sector to anticipate new investment opportunities and performance issues;
• Provide support to portfolio management teams on critical issues where direct contact with top decision makers is warranted;
• Lead the growth of client business, preparation and execution of client engagement strategies covering the whole Africa region.
• Lead the supervision of projects, including client interaction, analytical assessments, on-site reviews and the preparation of internal project documentation for results, sustainability and development effectiveness.
• Provide best-practice technical advice to IFC staff and external clients.
• Mentor and coach less-experienced investment and advisory services staff and help build talent and grow skill base of staff;
• Build teams, network of peers and partnerships for success; and
• Build IFC's knowledge base for best practices and participate in knowledge sharing and dissemination.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in finance; accreditation as a CFA or CPA is considered a plus;
• 15+ years of relevant experience in the financial sector, including a solid operational understanding of commercial banks and other financial entities in South Africa and the Africa region in general;
• Demonstrated network of top-level contacts in the South Africa financial services and investment industries;
• Documented experience and expertise in identifying, evaluating, structuring and negotiating private debt and equity investments; experience in portfolio management;
• Sound business judgment and strong problem solving/negotiation skills, as well as ability to work effectively on simultaneous projects under time pressure;
• Knowledge and Experience in International Economic Development Arena;
• Excellent business judgment and strong analytical and problem solving skills to identify issues and present creative, practical solutions.
• Capacity to deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule; facility to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries;
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with the business community and governmental authorities, as needed; and
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English are required; French would be considered a plus.
• Major foreign languages will be a plus For external Ad: The position requires regional and international travel.

IFC offers a highly challenging and rewarding working environment with outstanding opportunities for professional growth, as well as attractive conditions. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in strictest confidence.
Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.