Job Description
Senior Investment Officer, Agribusiness and Forestry Sector - RSA, Johannesburg, South Africa
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest multilateral provider of financing for private enterprise in emerging markets. IFC provides loans, equity, structured finance and risk management tools as well as advisory services to build the private sector in developing countries. IFC s investments in Sub-Saharan Africa have never been stronger, helping to bring tangible benefits to millions of people across the region. Building its strategy on the improvement of the investment climate, enhancing support to small and medium enterprises, and developing projects more actively, in particular in the poorest countries and in sectors such as infrastructure and agribusiness, we have been able to grow our commitments from $ 445 million in FY 05 to 2.4 billion in FY 10. To strengthen our pipeline and maintain the momentum, IFC is seeking to recruit a Senior Investment Officer to lead investment teams and business development activities, execute transactions, and actively manage portfolio projects in the Agribusiness and Forestry sector. The overall goal for all Investment Officers, irrespective of level of seniority, is to maximize the impact of IFC s intervention and to contribute to the regional and/or sector/industry development in our client countries by executing innovative, developmental, and profitable investments. The position is based in Johannesburg, South Africa and will report to the Head of Agribusiness and Forestry for Africa.
Duties and Accountabilities:
Identify, evaluate, negotiate and close investments in agribusiness.
Manage portfolio companies until exit; propose portfolio restructurings, capital increases, equity sales, etc
Develop new business in Southern Africa and provide innovative and flexible financial structures for complex transactions
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop specific investment opportunities as well as to develop Agribusiness industry sectors with a high developmental impact.
Set standards for thoroughness in quality control and make recommendations to strengthen transactions
Lead and manage projects teams; mentor and develop junior staff
Contribute to the development of sector and sub-regional strategies; support promotion and policy advisory activities
Coordinate closely with social, environmental, and technical assistance colleagues to add value to our clients' businesses; find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges to achieve sustainable development impact
Selection Criteria:
MBA or equivalent qualification
8+ years experience in finance with a proven track-record of sourcing, structuring and closing investments, with a focus on projects in agribusiness in emerging markets and Africa
Knowledge of agribusiness sector trends, issues, challenges and opportunities; candidates with additional experience in the forestry sector have a competitive advantage.
Successful track record in leading project teams with highly qualified professionals, and in guiding and mentoring junior investment staff
Strong business development and client relationship skills, ability to focus effectively on clients needs
Excellent financial and credit skills; demonstrated ability to structure a variety of complex financial instruments (debt and equity)
Robust analytical and problem solving skills to identify issues and present creative and practical solutions
Sound business judgment to identify potential business partners
Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, of financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials
Capacity to deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule; facility to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; fluency in other languages, in particular French, Portuguese, a plus
Genuine commitment to highest ethical standards and to sustainable development with particular sensitivity to social and environmental issues
Willingness to travel extensively and geographic flexibility
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