Chief/Principal Investment Officer - Subnational Finance Sector

Chief/Principal Investment Officer - Subnational Finance Sector

Description

At the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org 

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 subnational/ municipal clients and WBG operational teams to promote commercial financing and private capital mobilization.

The team is looking to recruit a Principal Investment Officer (PIO) or Chief Investment Officer (CIO) covering the subnational finance sector. The PIO/CIO will lead business delivery and growth in the sector contributing to business development, market opening and addressing regulatory, client capacity or other challenges. The PIO/CIO will lead the Knowledge Bank input as the focal investment specialist providing guidance to management and investment teams globally in project structuring, execution and portfolio management.  He or she will lead 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. The PIO/CIO will 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. 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 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 subnational finance sector. 
•  Lead the development of integrated IFC-World Bank replicable and scalable solutions and knowledge products that combine investment, advisory, and upstream engagement to strengthen client impact and pipeline development, working in tandem with public sector financing colleagues on the World Bank side and IFC regional colleagues.
•  Leading business delivery and growth in IFC’s subnational investments. Being the focal investment specialist providing guidance to management and investment teams globally in business development, project structuring, execution and portfolio management. 
•  Lead Knowledge Bank’s and IFC’s global business strategy development and implementation in subnational finance, working closely with the unit manager, senior colleagues from other WBG units, and external stakeholders.
•  Lead thought leadership, knowledge sharing and dissemination across WBG, with an emphasis on knowledge to support IFC business development, market creation, innovation, and risk management.
•  Lead fundraising efforts for advisory and blended finance, working  with donors, Blended Finance teams, and other external stakeholders to develop business and promote visibility for the sector. Oversee the strategy and work of the Global Cities Platform.
•  Manage relationships with key stakeholders in the Cities space such as other multilateral development banks, and city organizations.
•  Actively monitor industry and market trends, participate in industry functions, and build sector relationships globally.
•  Lead a dedicated team of and be responsible for their deliverables, mentoring, coaching and career development.

Selection Criteria

•  At least 12 years of relevant experience (15+ years of relevant experience strongly preferred) in the infrastructure sectors.
•  Significant investment and sector experience in municipal and environmental infrastructure. Experience in capital market transactions/sustainability finance would be a plus. 
•  MBA or master’s degree in finance, economics, or relevant educational qualifications.
•  Proven understanding of the public sector and private sector side of the subnational business and an integrated One WBG vision to develop and expand the sector in Emerging Markets.
•  Proven ability and interest in synthesizing subnational sector dynamics, challenges, opportunities and active engagement in knowledge creation and dissemination.
•  Strong transaction experience in business development, origination, structuring, and portfolio management of infrastructure transactions in Emerging Markets.
•  Experience and understanding of advisory and upstream projects.
•  Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with city 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.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

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.