Job Description

IFC-a member of the World Bank Group-is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity. This strategy calls for generating unique opportunities by proactively working "Upstream" to create, deepen, and expand markets and to imagine, design and implement investment projects. It requires taking a systematic approach to understanding the regulatory and sector bottlenecks that prevent the flow of private capital into productive investment in our member countries and addressing these bottlenecks through World Bank Group engagement on policy reforms and programmatic interventions at the country and sector level. This strategy also calls for working with Governments and World Bank colleagues to first seek private sector solutions to address development challenges - where such solutions are advisable and can be effective - and reserve public financing for projects only when other options are suboptimal. This approach is called the "Cascade".

The infrastructure (INR) Industry is one of IFC's key strategic priorities. The team delivers financial and technical support to clients in the power, transport, telecoms, municipal & environmental infrastructure, gas, and mining sectors, from IFC's own Balance Sheet and through mobilization of other capital. The Department also seeks to maintain IFC, as part of the World Bank Group, at the cutting-edge of helping member countries find solutions to new and emerging infrastructure and natural resource issues.

IFC is seeking a Chief Investment Officer for its core Infrastructure operations in Asia Pacific. The position is based in Singapore, Jakarta or Bangkok. The Chief Investment Officer will be responsible primarily for leading business development and to a less extent leading transaction processing for INR in the region, in particular Transport and Logistics transactions. She/he will also coordinate on a continuous basis with the Country Managers, the Asia Infrastructure Leadership team, the Asia INR Upstream Lead, as well as other relevant Departments/Divisions within IFC, such as Global Infrastructure, Treasury, Legal, Risk, the Equity Desk, Environmental & Social, etc. She/he will have direct supervisory responsibility over some of the investment staff working on Transport and Logistics as their primary sector of focus, and other staff as determined.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The candidate is expected to perform the functions of a new business CIO at all material stages of the IFC deal cycle, from deal origination to portfolio management:

• Play a senior leadership role for the South Asia, East Asia & Pacific Infrastructure team with a foreseen emphasis on Transport and Logistics sub-sectors with added responsibilities for business development across all infra sectors, as determined;
• In strong collaboration with the upstream staff, develop a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities in the South Asia, East Asia & Pacific region by anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge;
• Supervise a commensurate number of Infrastructure projects in the South Asia, East Asia & Pacific region;
• Work closely with the global infrastructure team including the transport and logistics team, country managers and officers - joint work to include developing client, country and sector strategies;
• Evaluate, structure, negotiate, and close new transactions, portfolio restructurings, capital increases, equity sales, etc.;
• Review and analyze business opportunities, synthesize information into internal reports for decision making purposes;
• Develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions;
• Lead negotiation/documentation teams; use strong negotiation skills to develop solutions and overcome impasses in straightforward and complex transactions;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop investment opportunities;
• Lead and manage project teams, mentor and develop staff in the team;
• Coordinate closely with social, environmental, and technical assistance colleagues to add value to our clients' businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact;
• Astute in anticipating where future opportunities and innovation will emerge in markets and sectors, and able to leverage expertise and reputation to connect IFC with those opportunities to grow Infrastructure business and open new markets;
• Able to have difficult conversations with clients to set reasonable expectations and with team members on their accountabilities or to address performance issues;
• Has a reputation for being able to connect the dots across business strategies and portfolio management lessons learned to generate innovative ideas, products, or solutions that can be replicated in other locations.

Selection Criteria

• MBA or equivalent qualification;
• At least 18 years of experience with a development finance institution (DFI), a commercial and investment bank or a private equity firm with tasks related to private sector infrastructure financing;
• Proven and recent deal track-record of sourcing, structuring and closing investments, both debt and equity/mezz, in infrastructure sectors, including investments in the South Asia, East Asia & Pacific region;
• Regional knowledge of countries and understanding of infrastructure challenges faced by countries within the region;
• Knowledge of one or more infra core sectors (energy, transportation, logistics, utilities);
• Understanding of climate change developments and their impact on the INR sector and project financing;
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo openly in order to build the business;
• Strong business development and client relationship skills, demonstrated network relevant for the team's business, track record and ability to focus on clients' needs effectively; strong sense of service to clients and demonstrated business development aptitude; proven success in developing client relationships;
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials;
• Financial skills: demonstrated ability to structure a variety of complex financial instruments (debt and equity); strong credit skills;
• Sound business judgment in identifying potential business partners; good "deal sense" based on demonstrated strong analytical skills;
• Ability to work in the matrix as an integral part of both the INR Industry Department and the Asia Pacific Regional Department;
• Ability to collaborate closely with other parts of the World Bank Group and other MFIs and financing institutions and banks;
• Ability to plan and manage staff to achieve high quality results and encourage innovation in an open team-based environment, inspiring trust and influencing and resolving differences across organizational boundaries; experience in coaching staff and actively supporting staff professional development would be a plus
• Demonstrated leadership skills and strong teamwork and communications in a highly diverse and dispersed team, and in a virtual environment;
• Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback; new ideas and ability to guide staff to solutions to problems; experience and comfort with lively debates and encouraging staff to speak up would be a plus
• High energy and ability to deliver high quality work within deadlines to meet team objectives;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English;
• Highly motivated, committed to highest ethical standards;
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development.

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

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