Strategic Financial Development Officer

The International Finance Corporation is a member of the World Bank Group, dedicated to promoting sustainable economic development in emerging markets. We operate in over 100 countries, leveraging our expertise and influence to create opportunities for private sector growth.

Our Mission

We aim to harness the power of the private sector to eradicate extreme poverty and foster shared prosperity on a livable planet. To achieve this, we focus on developing sound and efficient financial markets that allocate resources effectively, driving job creation and economic expansion.

The Role of the Financial Institutions Group

The Financial Institutions Group (FIG) is one of three major industry groups at IFC, responsible for managing approximately 40% of our overall business in terms of volume and capital at risk. FIG engages in various sub-sectors, including microfinance, SMEs, gender, climate, insurance, capital markets, housing, distressed assets, and other areas, offering both investment and advisory services globally to our clients.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Investment Officer to join our team in Baghdad, Iraq. As an Investment Officer, you will be expected to identify and execute new investment transactions in Iraq and across the region, as well as support portfolio supervision. You will report directly to the IFC FIG Principal Investment Officer/Regional Business Lead for the Levant sub-region.

Key Responsibilities

1. Promote, originate, and lead the execution of FIG sector investment projects primarily in Iraq, with opportunities to work in other Middle Eastern markets, particularly those in fragile and conflict-affected situations.
2. Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, regulators, global and regional private businesses, banking, and multilateral partners to further develop the sector and identify specific investment opportunities.
3. Lead the portfolio supervision of multiple portfolio projects across different asset classes, ensuring efficient processing and closure.
4. Employ your financial competencies and influencing skills to overcome obstacles and negotiate successful outcomes through effective client coverage, active physical presence in the market, and direct interaction with clients and stakeholders.
5. Identify innovative financial structures suitable for financial sector clients, resulting in new transaction mandates for IFC.
6. Collaborate with senior staff to develop a robust pipeline of high-quality investment opportunities by anticipating market trends and utilizing sector/country knowledge.
7. Support the development and implementation of FIG MCT strategy, focusing on achieving goals in FCS markets.
8. Monitor financial markets, relevant business events, and macroeconomic developments in Iraq to inform the rest of the FIG MCT team about material developments affecting the program.
9. Closely coordinate with key support departments to address specific investment or client-related challenges.
10. Identify and evaluate opportunities to increase the social development impact of new or portfolio projects.
11. Mentor junior team members in all aspects of their work.

Requirements

• MBA or equivalent master's degree in finance or management.
• 10+ years of experience in finance, investment, and/or banking, with a proven track record of sourcing, structuring, and closing investments.
• Experience working with the Iraqi market and/or similar FCS markets.
• Strong financial and credit skills, with the ability to structure various financial instruments (debt and equity).
• Demonstrated knowledge of the financial industry, ability to identify trends and opportunities in Middle Eastern countries, and understanding of local issues and sectoral challenges.
• Ability to build a strong network within the financial sector, with a proven track record of business development and client relationship skills.
• Track record of identifying and addressing client needs, coming up with effective solutions.
• Ability to interact directly with management teams of actual and potential clients, financial and technical partners, government officials, and regulators, as needed.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Arabic.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development of FCS markets and highest ethical standards.
• Proven multi-tasking skills and ability to meet deadlines under time pressure.
• Williness to travel extensively.