Investment Officer, Infrastructure, LAC region

World Bank Group • Panama City, FL

5d

About The Position

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 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 in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 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’s LAC Infrastructure unit is an open and dynamic team that delivers financial and technical support to clients in the power, transport, telecoms, municipal & environmental infrastructure, and natural resources sectors, from IFC’s own Balance Sheet and through mobilization of other capital. The department also seeks to maintain IFC, as part of the World Bank Group, at the cutting edge of helping member countries find solutions to new and emerging infrastructure and natural resources issues.

The selected candidate will be based in Panama City, Panama. This role will be an integral part of the investment team working across the business cycle (business development, “upstream,” new investments, and portfolio) across Latin America, but focusing on business development, processing, and managing IFC’s investments in energy, infrastructure and the digital economy in Central America.

Requirements

• Master's degree in finance or similar relevant education.
• At least 8–10 years of experience with a development finance institution, a commercial bank, an international financial institution, a private equity firm, or consulting firm with tasks related to private sector infrastructure financing and development.
• Relevant experience with a proven track record of sourcing, structuring, and closing investments, preferably across energy, infrastructure and digital economy.
• Knowledge of the various infra core divisions (power, transportation, telecom, water & sanitation, natural resources); acquaintance with different instruments (debt, equity, mezzanine), project finance, and corporate finance.
• Strong financial and credit skills; demonstrated ability to structure and close investments in infrastructure subsectors and portfolio supervision of complex transactions.
• Business development and client relationship skills, track record, and ability to effectively focus on client’s needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish. Ability to describe complex issues, approaches, and lessons in a relevant and understandable manner to clients/stakeholders.
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the management of clients and prospects.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds.
• Proven ability to function effectively as a team member of multi-disciplinary teams and resolve conflicts constructively.
• Prior deal experience in Latin America, especially in Central America, and good knowledge of regional sector issues.
• Ability to guide, advise, mentor, and coach junior staff and peers to develop and broaden their scope of skills, including providing on-the-job learning opportunities.
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development and to the highest ethical standards.
• Willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Business Development
• Source and assess opportunities; identify bankable projects anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge; synthesize information into internal reports for decision-making purposes.
• Work independently and with more senior staff to develop a strong pipeline of good-quality investment opportunities.
• Coordinate closely with advisory and environmental & social teams to add value to our client’s businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact.
• Structuring and Negotiation
• Evaluate, structure, negotiate, and close new debt and equity transactions, etc.
• Develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions.
• Use financial competencies and personal influencing skills to overcome impasses and lead negotiations to a successful outcome.
• Deal Execution and Transaction Management
• Deliver all transactions and accountabilities of the role efficiently, on a timely and expeditious basis, and using best practice standards.
• Thoroughly review work provided by clients and prepared by team members including financial modeling to ensure solid structure and consistency of legal documents with agreed-upon terms.
• Portfolio Monitoring
• Monitor the portfolio and report development results internally and externally.
• Coordinate closely with social, environmental, legal, and technical assistance colleagues in structuring transactions to add value to our clients' businesses, find pragmatic solutions to project and sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact.
• Ensure that transactional requirements recorded in the documentation are monitored and in compliance.
• Process waivers and restructurings diligently and swiftly, working with portfolio management, credit, CSO (if applicable), and other support units (legal, E&S, etc.).
• Foster and grow the relationship with the client.
• Strategy Development and Knowledge Sharing
• Contribute to drafting strategies for sectors, countries, or regions for business development as needed; and develop and execute strategies for more complex client engagements to build a robust investment pipeline.
• Build IFC's knowledge base for best practices and participate in knowledge sharing and dissemination.
• Initiate collaboration and share expertise to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions.
• Promote the IFC brand and represent IFC at conferences and workshops if the opportunity arises.
• Maintain relationships with clients and other stakeholders (government, development partners, WBG) who are at a level where they can influentially participate in developing immediate and future business opportunities.
• Mentoring and coaching
• Mentoring, coaching and supervision of less-experienced colleagues to help build talent and grow the skill base of staff.
• Help build a conducive and good business environment by leading by example.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level