IFC sees private equity and venture capital as making a valuable contribution to development by providing capital and know-how to fast growing companies that are leading drivers of job creation in the emerging markets. In addition to its more traditional business, IFC supports these companies through its Disruptive Technologies Group, which invests directly in early and late stage venture companies as well as in venture capital funds.
IFC is seeking a Senior Investment Officer to provide coverage for IFC’s venture capital investment program as a climate sector lead. In addition to leading our VC investment activities across climate-related themes including ari-tech, the role will include developing relevant corporate initiatives, partnerships and engagement to enhance IFC’s strategic positioning in the climate tech space, working closely with the broader IFC climate business and industry teams to execute on the World Bank Group’s Climate Action Plan.
S/he will be based in Washington DC and will report to the Chief of Technology Investment and Global Portfolio Manager for the Disruptive Technologies and Venture Capital team (CDFDT).
Duties and Accountabilities
Establish, build, and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders in the global venture ecosystem that are active in climate tech investing, including early and late stage start-ups, VCs, corporate and strategic investors and development partners.
Develop strong relationships with leading industry strategics across relevant industry verticals (i.e. energy, transport, manufacturing, agribusiness etc.) to facilitate connections with portfolio companies for commercial and strategic partnerships
Develop and make strategic direct venture investments, VC funds investments and co-investments for climate-related investment themes in target sectors including agri-tech, based on rigorous due diligence of prospective early growth stage ventures, strong technology analysis, business model and financial valuation.
Manage portfolio of direct VC and VC funds climate tech investments; helping investees leverage on the resources and expertise of IFC and the broader World Bank Group. Portfolio responsibilities would include representing IFC on boards of portfolio companies and LPACs;
Lead business development, due diligence, negotiation and transaction structuring of new business opportunities and liaise extensively with colleagues across the regions and industry verticals;
Support the identification of and develop of upstream and market creation initiatives to foster climate tech innovation and related venture ecosystem building in relevant emerging markets in alignment with country and sector strategies;
Represent IFC’s disruptive technologies team in internal and external events, develop relevant corporate initiatives, partnerships and engagement on climate tech related business to enhance IFC’s strategic positioning in the disruptive technology space across all relevant industry verticals.
Selection Criteria
Master’s degree required, MBA from leading international institutions preferred.
At least 10-12 years of work experience of which at least 5-8 years of venture capital or private equity experience, ideally with some emerging markets transaction experience. Prior experience in, investment banking or business/corporate development will be considered;
Significant transaction experience in and analytical knowledge of venture investing with a focus on climate tech and relevant sub verticals (i.e. clean energy and infrastructure, transportation, buildings, advanced manufacturing, decarbonization technologies, earth observation and agritech)
Experience in lead negotiating and structuring complex venture equity transactions;
Existing and relevant network amongst research institutions, private companies, and financial and strategic investors who are active in the climate tech ecosystem, broadly defined, globally;
Experience in portfolio management, including facilitation of exits. Having prior experience as an investee company board director or operational experience at a venture-backed company is a plus;
Written competency and spoken language fluency in English,
