About the Role

The IFC, part of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on supporting the private sector in emerging markets. They’re working in over 100 countries, helping businesses grow by offering capital, expertise, and opportunities. Their mission? Use the private sector’s power to fight poverty and create prosperity in a sustainable way. Want to learn more? Check out their website at www.ifc.org.

This position is all about helping achieve IFC 3.0, which focuses on encouraging more investments in emerging markets, particularly in low-income and fragile states. This strategy is about pushing into challenging sectors and markets, developing investment projects early on, and creating long-term opportunities. It’s more than typical business development; it involves:

  • Offering a wider range of products to engage early in projects.
  • Preparing clients in early-stage markets for investments.
  • Adding value and managing risks for portfolio clients.
  • Taking a long-term approach to business.

To make this strategy happen, IFC is looking for an Investment Officer to join their Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services (MAS) team. The role is based in one of these four cities: Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Lusaka, or Addis Ababa. You’ll be responsible for driving investment opportunities and supporting IFC’s goals, particularly in the Agribusiness sector across East and Southern Africa.

What You’ll Do

As an Investment Officer, you’ll collaborate closely with teams across countries and sectors, working to create and execute high-quality Agribusiness investment projects. The role involves:

  • Identifying investment opportunities: You’ll help find promising projects in the region, working closely with the Upstream & Advisory and Investment Services teams.
  • Building a strong project pipeline: You’ll support feasibility studies, pilot projects, and early collaborations that could lead to investments.
  • Designing scalable solutions: Help create business models and strategies that can be applied across different African markets.
  • Innovative thinking: You’ll need to stay on top of industry trends and new technologies, coming up with fresh ideas to meet client needs.
  • Managing projects: From start to finish, you’ll handle the financial side of things, ensuring projects stay on track and within budget.
  • Client service: Provide top-notch support to clients throughout the project cycle, from sourcing transactions to ongoing supervision.

What You’ll Bring

  • Education: A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Business, Finance, Economics, Agribusiness, or a related field.
  • Experience: 8+ years of experience in project development, feasibility studies, advisory services, or investment banking in emerging markets.
  • Quantitative skills: You should have strong knowledge of financial models, company valuations, and how to work with financial data.
  • Project management: Experience in managing projects, hitting development milestones, and meeting deadlines is a must.
  • Client engagement: You’ll need to build strong relationships with clients, governments, and stakeholders.
  • Problem-solving: Dealing with challenging issues in multicultural environments is key, so strong analytical and communication skills are essential.
  • Mission-focused: A commitment to the World Bank Group’s mission of development and sustainability.

Responsibilities

You’ll have a mix of responsibilities, including:

  1. Identifying Opportunities: Work on finding new Upstream & Advisory and Investment possibilities, focusing on country and sector strategies.
  2. Developing Projects: Collaborate with the Investment Services team to develop early-stage projects, conduct feasibility studies, and kickstart pilot programs.
  3. Scaling Solutions: Create solutions that can be replicated across African markets to encourage investment.
  4. Tracking Trends: Stay updated on emerging trends and technologies in the Agribusiness sector, and bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table.
  5. Managing Client Projects: Oversee the financial and operational aspects of client projects, making sure they stay on track and deliver results.
  6. Monitoring Results: You’ll provide supervision reports and gather data to show the progress of each project.
  7. Executing Deals: Work on financing deals (loans, equity, mezzanine) by conducting due diligence, structuring the deals, negotiating terms, and handling approvals.
  8. Client Support: Deliver consistent client service throughout the project’s life, from sourcing to implementation.

Key Skills

To succeed as an Investment Officer at the IFC, you’ll need:

  • Strong analytical skills to break down complex investment challenges.
  • The ability to manage projects from start to finish.
  • Experience engaging with private sector clients and governments to foster investment opportunities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially in English. Knowing French is a plus!

What Sets You Apart

  • You’ve got a knack for finding new investment opportunities and building relationships.
  • You’ve proven you can handle tough challenges and thrive under pressure.
  • You have experience in the Agribusiness or Investment sector, particularly in emerging markets.

How to Apply

Ready to take the next step in your career? Click the link below to submit your application!

[CLICK HERE TO APPLY]