Senior Investment Officer – Digital

Senior Investment Officer – Digital

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’s Digital and AI Vice Presidency, which houses the Digital & AI industry expertise across the WBG, works to connect operational teams across the WBG and clients with effective public‑ and private‑sector solutions to address barriers to expanded internet access and usage in emerging markets. Its mandate is to deliver knowledge and solutions that enable the WBG to advance its mission. Within this structure, the Digital Access Solutions & Impact Department (WKDAX) focuses on building the foundations of digital economies by advancing quality, affordable, and safe digital infrastructure access and data & AI solutions, with the aim of delivering scalable development impact and creating more and better jobs.

The WKDAX group is looking for a Washington, DC or Paris-based Senior Investment Officer with extensive sector and investment expertise that can help deepen the scope, reach and impact of WBG’s interventions in the sector.  The position will report to the WKDAX Manager and work with external clients and partners and WBG teams across regions and disciplines. 

Duties & Accountabilities: 

The responsibilities of the Senior Investment Officer will include but are not limited to: 
•  Assess industry trends on a given sector vertical (e.g., digital infrastructure asset class), drawing lessons from past engagements to drive new business, improve portfolio performance, and promote knowledge sharing across WBG teams.
•  Provide sector guidance to project teams on due diligence (financial, market, valuation, etc.) and risk/mitigation analysis, financial and policy regulation structuring to crowd in private sector investment for WBG engagements with private and public sector clients. 
•  Design and implement innovative, replicable, and scalable investment, guarantee, and other solutions, deploying the WBG product suite to address barriers to expanded internet access and usage in emerging markets, in collaboration and coordination with other WBG teams and external partners.
•  Identify new approaches ranging from partners, business models and financing structures, that can accelerate private sector participation and development impact. Support and at times lead, the operational implementation of those approaches.
•  Participate in and lead industry events to strengthen the WBG’s sectoral network and convene stakeholders around critical issues.
•  Mentor and develop junior staff. 
•  Coordinate closely with technical experts (engineers, environmental specialists, lawyers, etc.) to add value to our clients' businesses, find pragmatic solutions, and achieve sustainable development impact. 
•  Lead WBG’s work in sub-sectors and/or cross-cutting initiatives, including being the primary contact point with regional and functional departments.  
•  Collaborate in developing strategies for the digital infrastructure sectors, countries, and cross-cutting initiatives. 
•  Maintain relationships with clients and other stakeholders (government, development partners) to develop markets and investment opportunities. 
•  Support the WBG’s initiatives targeting increased internet access in under-served regions across emerging markets.  

Selection Criteria

•  Genuine and strong interest in and commitment to international development and the digital infrastructure sector. 
•  MBA or equivalent qualification. 
•  At least 10 years of investment experience (e.g. commercial or investment banking, private equity or funds). Diverse product experience a plus (e.g., project financing, corporate financing, private credit, early and or growth-stage equity investments). 
•  Proved track-record for business origination and structuring of projects or transactions, and aptitude with clients.
•  Sound business judgment and creativity in developing scalable and replicable solutions to increase access to connectivity in emerging markets. 
•  Prior investment experience in the digital infrastructure sector, particularly in emerging markets.
•  Established network with telecom operators, investors, and other industry players.
•  Analytical and structured, with a solid understanding of sector trends and key issues, and experience working in different sub-sectors (e.g., broadband, data centers, towers). 
•  Excellent communication skills in English, both in written and oral; ability to convey ideas and positions clearly; strong presentation skills. 
•  Effective teamwork in multi-cultural and multi-location environments and ability/experience with providing guidance, supervision, professional development, and quality control of work products and analyses of more junior team members. 
•  Strong communication and coordination skills, with a track record of working across organizational boundaries. 
•  Ability to interact directly and independently with senior management of (potential) clients, partners, and senior government officials. 
•  Capacity to identify and successfully develop market creation opportunities in multiple countries by demonstrating long-term perspective, open-mindedness, persistence, innovation, and ability to leverage all instruments and programs available at the WBG. 
•  International exposure, especially to the emerging markets, cultural sensitivity and willingness to travel extensively.  

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.