Investment Officer - Manufacturing & Services West Africa

The Investment Officer will drive impactful private sector investments in manufacturing and services sectors in Benin and West Africa. The role involves investment origination, structuring, negotiation, execution, portfolio management, relationship building, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to meet IFC's strategic priorities and sustainability objectives.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify potential investment partners and opportunities based on industry experience, reputation, market potential, financial capability and strategic fit.
• Lead/participate in structuring, negotiation, and execution of financial transactions, including debt, equity, and blended finance instruments, ensuring alignment with IFC’s strategic priorities and risk management frameworks.
• Conduct comprehensive financial modeling, credit analysis, and due diligence to assess the viability and sustainability of potential investments, ensuring adherence to IFC’s investment standards and policies.
• Monitor and supervise a portfolio of existing investments, including managing client relationships, tracking financial and operational performance, and addressing challenges such as restructurings, modifications, or negotiated exits.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with private sector clients, financial institutions, technical partners, and government stakeholders to foster trust, identify opportunities, and promote IFC’s value proposition.
• Provide industry insights and market intelligence on MAS sectors, including trends, risks, and opportunities in the sub-region, to inform investment strategies and decision-making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and Gender specialists, to ensure investments meet IFC’s sustainability and impact objectives.
• Drive business development efforts by proactively engaging with potential clients, identifying their needs, and tailoring IFC’s financial solutions to support their growth and development goals.
• Prepare high-quality investment proposals, presentations, and reports for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with IFC’s strategic goals.
• Mentor and support junior team members, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment that reflects IFC’s commitment to diversity, innovation, and professional growth.
• Represent the WBG/IFC as needed.
• Provide in-country support, and subsequent follow-up to IFC visiting missions as needed.
• Perform other such duties as may be required from time to time to meet emerging, ad-hoc corporate requirements, and/or respond to internal or external requests.

Requirements

• MBA, Masters degree in one or more of the following disciplines: Business, Economics, Finance or Business Management
• At least 8 years professional experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility that includes significant experience in finance, investment banking, structured finance, or corporate finance, with a proven track record of sourcing, structuring, and closing private sector debt and equity investments.
• Experience in executing investment transactions, with proven success in developing client relationships as well as sourcing, negotiating, structuring, and closing quality investments.
• Ability to assess the attractiveness of specific investment opportunities with a strong focus on credit quality and development impact and make recommendations to IFC’s management.
• Knowledge and experience of the market in Benin and West Africa are a plus.
• Strong business judgment in identifying potential business partners.
• Excellent financial, modelling, equity and credit skills; sound business judgment and demonstrated ability to structure a variety of complex financial instruments (debt, mezzanine and equity).
• Client relationship skills, track record and ability to focus on client needs effectively.
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of clients, financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries and to build networks across the region, including the ability to mentor and coach others to achieve results.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and deliver promptly and efficiently under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Willingness to travel extensively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and French.

Skills

• Investment Banking
• Structured Finance
• Corporate Finance
• Private Sector Investments
• Debt Financing
• Equity Finance
• Financial Modelling
• Credit Analysis
• Investment Structures
• Client Relationship Management
• Investment Negotiation
• Portfolio Management
• Business Judgment
• Market Knowledge West Africa
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Time Management
• Organizational Skills
• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication

Languages

English, French