Chief/Principal Investment Officer – Waste Sector

Chief/Principal Investment Officer – Waste Sector

Description

Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.

The WBG is renewing its approach to knowledge as the Knowledge Bank, ensuring that the best global knowledge drives development, scales impactful solutions, and shapes global conversations. Part of the push to become a better Bank involves improving how we collect, store, and share knowledge to help countries stay on track with their development goals. The vision of the Knowledge Bank focuses on four key areas (i) New and updated knowledge products (ii) Strategic partnerships (iii) Enhanced learning opportunities and (iv) Cutting-edge systems. The Knowledge Bank’s Urban, Subnational & Land Solutions and Impact team is responsible for ensuring that the right mix of best practice, investment and advisory solutions are made available to public and private sector clients and WBG operational teams in the Urban and Land sectors. 

The team is looking to recruit a Principal Investment Officer (PIO) or Chief Investment Officer (CIO) covering the waste sector.  The PIO/CIO will lead the Knowledge Bank input in as the focal investment specialist providing guidance to management and investment teams globally in business development, project structuring, execution and portfolio management.  In addition, the PIO/CIO will play a key role in thought leadership, knowledge sharing and dissemination across the WBG, with an emphasis on curated knowledge to support business development, market creation, innovation, and risk management. He or she will take responsibility to ensure best practices from regional operations are shared and, where possible, replicated in other regions. The PIO/CIO will also lead the development of scalable solutions and advisory products which will help teams on the ground in business development, client capacity building and client relationship management. The PIO/CIO will also manage relationships with select international clients working across multiple countries. The PIO/CIO will leverage a small, dedicated team with direct people management responsibilities.

The selected candidate will be based in Washington DC and will report to the Manager for Urban, Subnational & Land Solutions and Impact. The position will have a global focus and involve regular travel commitments.

Duties and Accountabilities:

•  Ensure that WBG and IFC is at the forefront of the development debate, and a premier private sector financier and thought leader in the waste sector.
•  Lead IFC’s sector engagements in waste and be the focal investment specialist providing guidance to management and investment teams globally in business development, project structuring, execution and portfolio management. 
Specifically:
  o  Lead Knowledge Bank’s and IFC’s global business strategy development and implementation in the waste sector, working closely with the unit manager, senior colleagues from other WBG units, and external stakeholders.
  o  Be the client relationship manager for select international clients.
  o  Work in tandem with public sector financing colleagues on the World Bank side and IFC regional colleagues to develop replicable and scalable high-impact innovative solutions and projects across WBG.
  o  Contribute to thought leadership, knowledge sharing and dissemination across WBG, with an emphasis on knowledge to support private sector business development, market creation, innovation, and risk management.
  o  Actively monitor industry and market trends, participate in industry functions, and build sector relationships globally.
  o  Lead a dedicated team of and be responsible for their deliverables, mentoring, coaching and career development.

Selection Criteria

•  At least 15 years of experience in project, public and/or corporate finance analysis. Experience in capital market transactions/sustainability finance would be a plus
•  MBA or master’s degree in finance, economics, or relevant educational qualifications
•  Significant investment and sector experience in municipal/environmental infrastructure and circular solutions
•  Proven understanding of the public sector and private sector side of the waste business and an integrated vision to develop the sector in Emerging Markets
•  Proven ability and interest in synthesizing municipal & environmental infrastructure sector dynamics, challenges, opportunities and active engagement in knowledge creation and dissemination
•  Strong transaction experience in project development, origination, structuring, and portfolio management of infrastructure transactions in Emerging Markets
•  Familiarity with multiple financial products ranging from project finance and corporate finance to quasi-equity and equity
•  Willingness to engage on the environment and social aspects of waste sector projects with the Environment and Social teams of the WBG to craft solutions that preserve IFC’s Performance Standards and cater to the unique needs of municipalities, private sector, and public sector companies engaged in the sector 
•  Have established industry networks and ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, government authorities, industry groups and experts
•  Proven strong analytical and problem-solving skills and sound business judgment to identify issues and present creative and practical solutions
•  Capacity to deal with conflicting, unpredictable priorities in highly responsive manner and deliver high quality work through peer leadership across regional/industry boundaries
•  Collaborative work style, enjoys working with teams
•  Excellent communication skills in both oral and written English; Familiarity with social media and willingness to explore all creative avenues to enhance WBG/ IFC/team profile and establish/consolidate WBG/ Knowledge Bank’s/ IFC’s branding. Public speaking will be an integral part of the role
•  Highly motivated and proactive, committed to highest ethical standards
•  Interest in the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission, strategy, and values
•  Experience of working in Emerging Markets and willingness and ability to travel extensively
•  Fluent in English; other languages a plus

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.