Upstream and Investment Manager

Job #: req36345
Organization: IFC
Sector:
Grade: GH
Term Duration:  4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Bangkok,Thailand
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 4/24/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC strategy aims to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected States (FCS). This strategy aims to create new opportunities for private investments in riskier markets and sectors by proactively working “upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop potential investment projects (Upstream Activities). Achieving these growth and impact ambitions at scale requires a different approach to business development, deal sourcing, and client support that relies on 1) a broader product offering to engage earlier in the project cycle and secure opportunities; 2) a greater focus on preparing clients in nascent markets and sectors for investment; 3) a greater focus on value addition and risk management of portfolio investment clients to enhance their performance; and 4) a longer time horizon and a more patient, longer-term perspective.

To drive this approach, IFC is seeking an Upstream & Investment Manager for its Infrastructure and Natural Resources department (INR) of the Asia and Pacific (APAC) region. The Manager will be responsible for IFC’s efforts to enable investment opportunities, enhance investment outcomes, and improve investment conditions – critical activities for the corporation to deliver on its ambitious strategy. The mix of these varied activities should be calibrated to meet the development needs of the market and contribute to IFC’s growth and impact objectives.

The Manager will be based in Bangkok and is expected to frequently visit other offices where their team and clients are based. They will report to the Director for INR in APAC and will be a member of the INR APAC Management Team. They will work in partnership with relevant Country/Regional Managers and Regional Industry Managers

Duties and Accountabilities 
The roles and responsibilities of the position will include but not be limited to:
Strategic Responsibility
• Formulate the unit’s strategy for Industry’s sectors across the region in coordination with the Regional Industry Director and with support of the relevant country/regional and global colleagues, drawing on and contributing to strategy and diagnostic products as relevant.
• Engage with and establish partnerships with thought leaders and decision makers across the World Bank Group, and in particular the WBG Knowledge Bank, and also externally to foster innovative thinking about the creation of new markets and to identify and implement sector and regulatory reforms to unlock private investment opportunities, including leveraging the World Bank’s lending program.
• Proactively convene stakeholders, form partnerships, and connect expertise from upstream, and investment staff, industry specialists, the WBG Knowledge Bank, sponsors, clients, and other external parties to enable delivery of upstream operations.
Business Responsibility
• Manage Upstream Operations while 1) Ensuring high quality of the unit’s operations through a focus on project design throughout an individual project cycle and across the unit’s portfolio of operations, with a focus on achieving high development effectiveness and 2) Staffing upstream projects with the appropriate resources to deploy the most appropriate technical expertise and provide exceptional client service.
• Enable investment opportunities by 1) incubating high-impact projects and initiatives that require upstream project development to reach the point of investment, 2) getting potential clients ready for IFC investment through client preparation and development, 3) Leading efforts and/or collaborating with other teams across the WBG to drive sector-wide change in priority areas while drawing expertise from the WBG Knowledge Bank.
• Enhance investment outcomes by 1) increasing the development impact of IFC investments and 2) improving the performance of IFC investment portfolio clients, through the provision of value-additive and risk-mitigation services.
• Execute Investment Operations by 1) Supporting business development efforts, together with investment, regional/country, and global Industry teams and 2) Assuming the transaction manager role and 3) Providing credit and investment guidance to teams as well as quality control 
• Manage funding resources effectively by 1) Overseeing and optimizing IFC’s internal and external funding mix and budget to efficiently deliver upstream operations and 2) Actively collaborating and engagement with the Partnerships department to proactively contribute to donor engagement strategy, relationship management, and reporting.
Knowledge Capture and Management 
• Spot game-changing trends, technologies and business models that can increase development impact and present opportunities for high-value proprietary engagements.
• Disseminate and absorb knowledge and experience across the regional industry department and global teams to support adoption of new approaches and best practices that have been developed in the region. 
• Within their market of focus, build external brand recognition and recognition of IFC’s distinctive capabilities in working upstream to catalyze investment opportunities.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business or Finance and a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience. 
• Strong “deal sense” and understanding of bankability criteria, based on demonstrated strong analytical skills and sound business judgment.
• Strong and proven track record of delivery on project implementation for Investment operations. 
• Commitment to the World Bank Group and IFC's mission, strategy and values and understanding of IFC’s strategic priorities.
• Deep understanding of the industry sectors and ability to link policy reforms, interventions, investment, and mobilization to deliver solutions at a country level. 
• Track record of engaging with private sector clients, local and national governments, and other stakeholders to encourage pioneering business and market development.
• Demonstrated capacity for innovating and challenging the status quo to develop business opportunities.
• Demonstrated capacity for collaborating across organizational boundaries to shift organizational behavior and generate buy-in.
• Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback, new ideas, and ability to guide and incentivize staff, inspire trust, and achieve results.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to mentor and coach junior staff.
• Sensitivity for working in multicultural environment, commitment to diversity, and ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues/clients/partners across regions, sectors, and business lines.
• Meet World Bank Group-wide managerial competencies - Courage of your Conviction, Leading the Team for Impact, Influencing Across Boundaries, Fostering Openness to New Ideas, Building Talent for the Future.

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.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.