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 Transaction Advisory Services Department (CTA) is housed in the IFC Africa Vice Presidency and consists of two business lines:
• PPP Transaction Advisory (C3P) offers transaction advisory services to governments/public entities to assist them in partnering with the private sector in sustainable long-term infrastructure projects through designing and structuring PPP transactions able to provide solutions to the countries’ economic and social constraints, delivering high-quality, affordable, and efficient public and social services. Projects are typically in electricity, water and sanitation, solid waste, transportation, telecommunications, social housing, health, and education sectors.
• Corporate Finance Services (CFS) has three key product offerings: (1) M&A Advisory: advising on buy-side / sell-side transactions; (2) Equity Mobilization Program (EMP): supporting third-party equity mobilization alongside IFC investment; (3) Asset monetization involving listed or listing public entities.
CTA mobilized $6.2 billion of private investment in FY25, translating into about 25% of IFC’s total core mobilization. Drawing on over 30 years of experience and over 120 staff across the globe, CTA currently manages over 100 active client engagements. Africa has 25 to 30 staff distributed in five regional hubs located in Cairo, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Abidjan, and Abuja. The CTA department is expected to continue playing a leading role in mobilizing private capital on behalf of the IFC.
The CTA team focuses on advising on the following types of transactions across all infrastructure sectors:
• Public-Private Partnerships e.g. BOT-type concessions.
• Restructuring and privatization of state-owned enterprises.
• Corporate Finance type activities (equity raising, M&A, pre-IPO support).
PPP Transaction Advisory is seeking an Investment Officer with relevant experience to support the Eastern Africa (EA) hub in Nairobi, which includes 9 countries: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
The IO will be strongly engaged in business development and execution of mandates in the sub-region. Both origination activities and the preparation work of complex PPP transactions may require close collaboration within the World Bank Group to ensure consistency with the country’s strategy, grant access to expertise in institutional and sector reforms, development of legal and regulatory frameworks (tariff structures, and others), as may be necessary, and often the necessary credit enablers. The work of the IO will be carried out under the supervision of and in close collaboration with the EA Hub Leader. Further to the activities developed in the EA region, the IO could also be required to work across the broader Africa region, depending on business needs.
He/she will report directly to the EA Hub leader and the Regional Manager for CTA in Africa.
Role & Responsibilities:
The IO’s work will involve business development and the implementation of advisory mandates of a variety of PPP types. These activities require, among others, strong interactions with government clients aimed at signing new mandates and during the execution of the same towards financial closing. Duties will include, but will not be limited to:
• Develop client relationships and project leads in the EA region and carry marketing activities in assigned countries/strategic infrastructure sectors.
• In developing marketing activities, the IO will collaborate with other WB/IFC teams to identify opportunities based on country strategies and market creation potential. In doing so, foster strong relationships with the World Bank Group counterparts to identify collaboration opportunities and enhance business delivery at the country level. Close collaboration with the WBG is key to overcoming political, legal, and regulatory impediments for private sector participation.
• Lead in the negotiation of the mandates with clients and ensure supervision of the preparation of commercial proposals, etc.
• When appropriate, undertake project scoping to assess the feasibility of potential projects
• Prepare/review memos and documentation for the Project’s internal approval.
• Prepare/review/supervise the elaboration of Tors for the Specialized Consultants and oversee their procurement process and selection.
• Manage each project’s budget and ensure deliverables are submitted per the contractual timetable.
• Lead the day-to-day management of project preparation, managing teams working on sell-side PPP mandates, both the IFC Team and the Specialized legal, technical, environmental, and other consultants; review the outputs, reports, analysis, financial models, etc. of the different teams.
• Develop transaction structure options for the PPP project(s) under development providing innovative and practical solutions to address the client’s objectives and concerns, while ensuring the Project’ bankability and long-term sustainability. Present and negotiate the proposed project structure with the Client after obtaining IFC approval.
• Assist in the organization and management of the tendering process of the project(s), including marketing, participation in road shows, and preparation of the Request for Prequalification (RfQ) and the Request for Proposals (RfP) documents.
• Direct the preparation of the legal documentation, ensuring the proper representation of the approved Project structure and the bankability of the documents
• Coordinate with IFC teams—including environmental, social, legal, investment, and World Bank colleagues—to deliver tailored solutions that help Projects meet their sustainable development goals.
• Participate/lead the pre-bidding meetings with government clients and investors.
• Assist in the final negotiation of the project agreements leading to Commercial Closing. Strong negotiation skills to develop solutions and overcome impasses in transactions is paramount.
• Develop, coach, motivate, and manage junior members of the team.
• As appropriate, participate in the development and implementation of upstream activities in line with IFC 2030 to create, deepen, and expand markets with the regional and global team from across IFC and the WBG.
• As appropriate, contribute to the elaboration of the sub-regional strategy.
• Support Corporate Finance mandates, both in terms of origination and execution that may include the preparation and delivery of pitch presentations to companies, reviewing and advising on corporate structure, balance sheet structure, valuation, prospectus review, corporate governance, etc.
• As requested, participate in the preparation of the regional strategy for the PPP advisory business, with a focus on strategic priorities, mobilization of private investment, and development of climate-friendly and high-impact projects.
• Support knowledge management by helping to disseminate PPP and CFS knowledge and experience and,
• Assist in other PPP projects across the larger region or strategy-related activities, as the need may arise.
Selection Criteria
• MBA or equivalent Post Graduate degree in business, finance, or economics.
• Minimum of 13 years of relevant experience in PPP transaction advisory on buy and/or sell side, investment banking, project finance or corporate finance with a leading institution. PPP transaction advisory work experience in the region is desirable.
• Minimum 3-4 years of experience of sell//buy-side M&A advisory is a plus.
• Knowledge of overall infrastructure sector trends and experience in infrastructure transactions/PPPs, with a strong preference for Eastern Africa.
• Business development and client relationship skills and ability to effectively focus on clients’ needs.
• Proven track-record in originating, advising, structuring, and executing infrastructure transactions
• Strong grasp of legal documentation including risk allocation related to PPP projects, including concessions and privatizations, ensuring prudent and sustainable risk sharing among all parties.
• Sound business judgment in identifying potential business and development partners and other key stakeholders; ability to interact directly and independently with senior government officials and potential investors. Strong existing relationships with government officials and investors in the infrastructure space in EA is a plus.
• Ability to manage teams in multiple transactions.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling and structuring skills and demonstrated ability to lead a variety of transaction advisory, including debt, and equity transactions.
• Proactively address and resolve client challenges with a solution-focused approach, effectively engaging decision-makers when necessary
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills and ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently (written and oral).
• Ability to operate in large, culturally diverse, and geographically dispersed teams.
• Proven experience building productive relationships and fostering open communication across diverse teams and organizations to share knowledge and resources.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated record of accomplishment in leading, motivating and managing multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
• Strong commitment to project success, delivering innovative and sustainable solutions, while overcoming obstacles.
• Building organizational capacity through system and process improvements
• Ability to work under pressure, travel on short notice and frequently, and deliver high-quality work within deadlines to meet team objectives.
• Highly motivated, committed to the highest ethical standards, and aligned with the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission, strategy, and values, and
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – 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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