(Senior) Investment Officer, Corporate Finance Services (CFS)

The (Senior) Investment Officer, Corporate Finance Services (CFS) is responsible for designing and implementing CFS's strategy in close coordination with regional World Bank Group (WBG) teams, focusing on the Group's strategic priorities in the Africa region. The role involves leading the origination and execution of buy-side and sell-side advisory, restructuring advisory, and pre-IPO advisory mandates across regions.

Duties and Accountabilities

• Strategy: Help design and implement CFS's strategy, working closely with regional WBG teams and focusing on strategic priorities in the Africa region.
• EMP / M&A Advisory: Collaborate with regional leads to drive the origination and execution of buy-side and sell-side advisory, restructuring advisory, and EMP services mandates in the Africa region.
• Pre-IPO Advisory: Lead the origination and execution of strategic pre-IPO advisory mandates. This includes advising clients on listing processes, timing, regulations, corporate structures, balance sheets, valuation, business planning, and preparing management and boards for listing.
• Relationship Management: Maintain strong relationships with internal regional and industry counterparts in the Africa region to identify collaboration opportunities that align with IFC corporate objectives.
• Client Management: Work closely with multi-regional clients and internal resources to develop transaction strategies, undertake bankability assessments, funding feasibility, financial modeling, and business planning/restructuring.
• Processing: Provide oversight on drafting key transaction reports and project documentation, including marketing documents, information memoranda, due diligence, transaction structuring reports, and contracts.
• Mentorship: Mentor junior colleagues and help them achieve business targets.
• Corporate Initiative: Support and build IFC's brand in the CFS space, aligning with regional brand and communication strategies.

Selection Criteria

• A Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in finance, business, law, or consulting.
• A minimum of 12-15 years of relevant experience in equity transactions as a principal investor, advisor, or underwriter (e.g., in an investment bank, venture capital, or private equity institution).
• Transaction advisory experience in buy-side, sell-side, and restructuring mandates, preferably in the disruptive technology space.
• Proven track record of delivering results on M&A, restructuring, and IPO mandates under tight deadlines and demanding environments.
• Success in developing strong client relationships and executing cross-border mandates in challenging environments.
• Experience taking companies public on major international stock exchanges (e.g., NYSE, LSE) is highly desirable.
• Strong business judgment, demonstrated investment experience, and professional credibility.
• Excellent team player with the ability to work effectively with a dispersed, multicultural team.
• Outstanding interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Commitment to development and alignment with the World Bank Group and IFC's mission, strategy, and values.