Investment Officer, Upstream, Financial Institutions Group, LAC Region Job #: req33440 Organization: IFC Sector: Investment Grade: GF Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Mexico City,Mexico Required Language(s): English, Spanish Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 6/20/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
The International Finance Corporation (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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org
IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity in frontier markets. This strategy calls for generating our own opportunities by proactively working โUpstreamโ to create, deepen, and expand markets and to imagine, design and implement investment projects. It requires taking a systematic approach to understanding the regulatory and sector bottlenecks that prevent the flow of private capital into productive investment in our member countries and addressing these bottlenecks through World Bank Group engagement on policy reforms and programmatic interventions at the country and sector level. It also requires capacity to leverage WBG programs and projects to develop our own proactive sector interventions and to imagine and design projects even in the absence of reforms.
At the same time, IFC has pledged to significantly increase its investments in climate-related projects and to promote digitalization across industries and sectors, to further sustainability and inclusiveness in emerging markets. IFC plans to deliver on these commitments by working with clients to help them develop and implement their own climate and digitalization strategies and projects. Key areas of focus include the promotion of low-carbon solutions, including renewable energy, green buildings, circularity, and resource efficiency, and increased use of technology and artificial intelligence.
The Financial Institutions Group (FIG) is one of the industry groups at IFC responsible for managing roughly 40% of IFCโs overall business in terms of volume, capital at risk, profitability, and development reach. FIG engages in a wide range of sub-sectors including Microfinance, SME, Gender, Climate, Insurance, Capital Markets, Housing, Distressed Assets, Global Trade Finance, and other areas. FIG provides investment and advisory solutions to hundreds of financial intermediaries in emerging markets to enable them to play a positive role in economic growth. FIGโs advisory services are closely coordinated with investment operations and help banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) to build or improve their operations in several areas, including development of local Capital Markets.
The FIG Upstream and Advisory Team provides specialized support to guide public and private institutions in aligning their strategies to enable access to and development of capital markets solutionsโparticularly in areas that enhance competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience. The team seeks a technically strong Investment Officer with deep expertise in structured finance, capital markets, and risk transfer mechanisms to support innovative and impactful engagements across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Duties and Accountabilities
The Investment Officer (IO) will be part of the FIG Upstream/Advisory Team in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. Reporting to the Regional Upstream /Advisory Services Manager, the IO will be primarily responsible for structuring and leading advisory and investment engagements that promote local capital markets, particularly in areas that enhance competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience. Key activities include:
โข ย Design and structuring of scalable Capital Markets solutions with a focus on asset-backed securities (ABS), risk-sharing facilities, and climate-linked structured products.
โข ย Support FIG Investment team, designing and developing advisory/upstream projects to support the structuring and investment of complex and efficient fixed-income products.ย
โข ย Support regulators, financial institutions, and local capital markets in enhancing their securitization capabilities, particularly in areas that enhance competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience.
โข ย Origination of advisory/upstream projects that align with IFCโs strategic pillars, drawing from strong client relationships and technical expertise.
โข ย Provide technical expertise in ESG framework integration and ratings engagement processes for financial institutions in the Capital Markets sector.
โข ย Cross-collaboration with FIGโs investment team to ensure alignment between advisory/upstream outputs and potential IFC investments across the region.
โข ย Develop and provide knowledge management through case study documentation, internal training, and participation in relevant finance working groups.
โข ย Representation of the [Capital Markets Advisory Team] in discussions with clients, development partners, associations and regulatory bodies across the region.
โข ย Actively participate in and support the process of scoping and designing new regional level activities in terms of promoting and boosting new business in Capital Markets in the region.
โข ย Plan, organize and carry out the project-related activities in conjunction with stakeholders and clients.ย
โข ย Understanding of and identification of market gaps and regulatory gaps to promote Capital Markets in the region.
โข ย Leading projects on specific subjects related to Capital Markets and Structured Finance, coordinating and/or implementing project activities for clientโs engagements.
It is anticipated that the Investment Officer will need to frequently travel within the region to implement project activities.
Selection Criteria
As the role requires a strong understanding of local capital markets, sustainability frameworks, and financial institution operations in the LAC region, the successful candidate should demonstrate a combination of technical expertise, regional experience, and strategic acumen aligned with IFCโs upstream and advisory mandate:
โข ย Masterโs in Finance or MBA with minor in finance;
โข ย Minimum 8 years of experience in capital markets and structured finance in LAC, with leadership in securitization, risk transfer products, and ESG-aligned debt instruments;
โข ย Deep understanding of financial sector challenges and market practices in local Capital Markets like Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Colombia;
โข ย Demonstrated success engaging with credit rating agencies and institutional investors to structure and close innovative, high-rated issuances;
โข ย Strong project design, client relationship, and stakeholder management capabilities in public and private sectors;
โข ย Proficient in structuring of fixed-income products;
โข ย Certifications: Having CFA Level I or FRM I is preferred;
โข ย High motivation, adaptability, and teamwork with the ability to manage multiple priorities in cross-functional teams;
โข ย Familiarity with LAC banking regulations and Capital Markets laws;
โข ย Highly motivated, energetic, team player with excellent interpersonal skills and client service skills;
โข ย Experience in managing transformation projects with the financial sector in emerging markets;
โข ย Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, and credibly represent IFC with clients and stakeholders, including at the senior executive level;
โข ย Strong organizational skills with an ability to work under time pressure, respond to ad-hoc shifts in client priorities, unstructured situations and unexpected events while maintaining order and delivery;
โข ย Ability to identify and implement innovative solutions and challenge the status quo to build the business;
โข ย Strong project management skills and experience;
โข ย Capacity to innovate and challenge the status quo and experience in new idea generation, business development, and crafting projects/programs from scratch;
โข ย Excellent communication skills in Spanish and English;
โข ย Strong analytical and critical thinking skills;
โข ย Willingness and ability to travel and work across time zones.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency โ Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking โ Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability โ Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful 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.
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