Senior Investment Officer, Scaling Solar Program at the International Financial Corporation (IFC) - World Bank Group

The International Financial Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with 2,000 businesses worldwide, we use our six decades of experience to create opportunity where it is needed most. In FY15, our long-term investments in developing countries rose to nearly $18 billion, leveraging our capital, expertise and influence to help the private sector end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity.

In 2015, the World Bank Group launched a recruitment mission to attract Sub Saharan African professionals to its work force. The initiative was the first of its kind for the institution and resulted in numerous hires into business areas such as Education, Health, Development Economics, Information Technology Systems, Social Urban/Rural & Resilience and Governance. The World Bank Group continues its commitment to hiring Sub-Saharan African professionals and announces its latest recruitment mission to again attract highly qualified Sub-Saharan African professionals who are looking for an exciting career, where their effort will contribute to the institution's goal of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity.

The International Financial Corporation (IFC), invites applications for the position below:

Job Title: Senior Investment Officer, Scaling Solar Program

Location: Africa
Area: Investments

Job Summary
IFC's PPP Transaction Advisory Services department (CASPP), part of the Cross-Cutting Advisory Solutions department (CASDR), provides sell-side financial advisory services and acts as lead transaction advisor to governments and other public sector clients to structure and implement public-private partnership (PPP) transactions, primarily for public services.  Its aim is to increase access to basic infrastructure (electricity, water, transportation and telecommunications) and social services (health and education) and facilitate private sector investment.

CASPP, in conjunction with IFC's Infrastructure Investment department and other teams from across the World Bank Group, has developed a program called Scaling Solar.  Scaling Solar brings together a suite of World Bank Group services under a single engagement aimed at creating viable markets for solar power in each client country.  The “one-stop-shop” program aims to make privately funded, grid-connected solar projects operational within two years and at competitive tariffs.  When implemented across multiple countries, the program will create a new regional market for solar investment.

The Scaling Solar package includes:

• Advice to assess the right size and location for solar PV power plants in a country’s grid.
• Standardized tendering to ensure strong participation and competition from committed industry players.
• Fully developed templates of bankable project documents that can eliminate negotiation and speed up financing.
• Competitive finance and insurance attached to the tender, delivering competitive bidding and ensuring rapid financial close post-tender.
• Risk management and credit enhancement products to lower financing costs and deliver power at lower tariffs.
• More information on Scaling Solar can be found at: http://www.scalingsolar.org/

CASPP is looking to recruit an experienced Senior Investment Officer for its sub-Saharan Africa team who will support the implementation and expansion of Scaling Solar across sub-Saharan Africa.  The position is based in Dakar, Senegal or Johannesburg, South Africa and reports to the Regional Manager for PPP Transaction Advisory Services in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Senior Investment Officer, Scaling Solar Program will be required to lead the execution and origination of Scaling Solar mandates across the sub-Saharan Africa region.  Duties will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Drive business development and originate advisory mandates by managing marketing activity in assigned countries with donors and with both public sector and private sector stakeholders.
• Lead/co-lead the day-to-day management of project teams working on Scaling Solar mandates, including review of legal and technical outputs, documentation and financial models.
• Analyze, structure and develop Scaling Solar solutions as required on a case-by-case basis and present recommendations to clients.
• Manage client expectations and provide appropriate advice as necessary through proposing practical solutions.
• Coordinate closely with other teams both within IFC and across the rest of the World Bank Group in order to ensure project bankability.
• Execute projects from mandate signature, through due diligence, prequalification, tendering and award, to the finalization and execution of all project agreements leading to financial close.  (Negotiation of the template project documents is expected to be minimal, but strong negotiation skills will be required to develop solutions and overcome impasses in transactions).
• Develop, coach, motivate and manage junior members of the team.
• Assist in other project- or strategy-related activities, and potentially on other mandates in the power sector and other sectors, as required.

Selection Criteria

• MBA or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 10-15 years of relevant experience, with at least 8 years of experience of working in the sub-Saharan African power sector on utility-scale IPPs, including direct exposure to sub-Saharan African government and public sector officials.
• Strong grasp of legal documentation including risk allocation related to IPPs and other PPP projects.
• Proven track-record of originating, structuring and executing utility-scale IPP or energy related transactions and/or transaction / financial advisory mandates.
• Ability to interact directly and independently with senior government and utility officials, financial and technical partners as well as senior private sector investors in the infrastructure sector.
• Sound business judgment in identifying potential business partners and strong business development and client relationship skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated track-record of working with, as well as leading, motivating and managing multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver high-quality work within deadlines to meet team objectives.
• Willingness and ability to travel on short notice and frequently, as required.
• Highly motivated and committed to highest ethical standards.
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development.
• Financial literacy and financial modelling experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English is required. French is an added advantage.

Recruitment Timeline
End of July - September 2016 - Review applications and update application status to candidates
August - September 2016 - Contact all shortlisted candidates and conduct interviews in Washington, D.C. and locations in Africa

Application Closing Date
7th August, 2016.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Shortlisted candidates may be contacted as early as August 2016 for interviews which may be conducted in Washington, D.C. or locations in Africa. Interviews will be conducted through September 2016. Based on the availability of interviewers and candidates some interviews may be conducted virtually.
• Candidates who have previously submitted applications through the Recruitment Drive for African Nationals in 2015 must submit a new application to be considered for opportunities in this year's campaign. We apologize that we are unable to consider previously submitted applications.