Principal Investment Officer - Infrastructure
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Job #: |
req37332 |
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Organization: |
IFC |
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Sector: |
Infrastructure |
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Grade: |
GH |
| Term Duration: | 3 years 0 months |
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Recruitment Type: |
International Recruitment |
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Location: |
Singapore,Singapore |
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Required Language(s): |
English |
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Preferred Language(s): |
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Closing Date: |
7/9/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC |
Description
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: https://www.ifc.org.
The infrastructure (INR) Industry is one of IFC’s key strategic priorities. The team delivers financial and technical support to clients in the power, transport, telecoms, municipal & environmental infrastructure, gas, and mining 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 resource issues.
IFC is seeking a Principal Investment Officer for its core Infrastructure operations in Asia Pacific. The position is based in Singapore. The Principal Investment Officer will be responsible for leading business development and leading transaction processing for INR in the region, in particular with regards to transactions involving Singapore based INR clients, strategically important Singapore state-linked clients, and Singapore-based Financial Institutions. She/he will also coordinate on a continuous basis with the Country Manager, the Asia Infrastructure Leadership team, as well as other relevant Departments/Divisions within WBG, such as Knowledge Bank, Treasury, the Equity Desk, Environmental & Social, etc. The Principal Investment Officer will report to the Manager Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Infrastructure and Natural Resources.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The candidate is expected to perform the functions of a new business PIO at all material stages of the IFC deal cycle, from deal origination to portfolio management:
• Play a senior leadership role for the Asia Pacific Infrastructure team with a foreseen emphasis and added responsibilities for business development across all infra sectors for strategic, Singapore-based clients, as determined;
• In strong collaboration with the upstream staff, develop a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities in the Asia Pacific region by anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge;
• Supervise a commensurate number of Infrastructure projects in the Asia Pacific region;
• Work closely with the global infrastructure team, country manager and officers as well as sector leads – joint work to include developing client, country and sector strategies;
• Evaluate, structure, negotiate, and close new transactions, portfolio restructurings, capital increases, equity sales, etc.;
• Review and analyze business opportunities, synthesize information into internal reports for decision making purposes;
• Develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions;
• Lead negotiation/documentation teams; use strong negotiation skills to develop solutions and overcome impasses in straightforward and complex transactions;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Singapore-based clients, global, state-linked and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop investment opportunities;
• Lead and manage project teams, mentor and develop staff in the team;
• Coordinate closely with social, environmental, and technical assistance colleagues to add value to our clients' businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact;
• Astute in anticipating where future opportunities and innovation will emerge in markets and sectors, and able to leverage expertise and reputation to connect IFC with those opportunities to grow Infrastructure business and open new markets;
• Able to have difficult conversations with clients to set reasonable expectations and with team members on their accountabilities or to address performance issues;
• Connecting the dots across business strategies and portfolio management lessons learned to generate innovative ideas, products, or solutions that can be replicated in other locations.
Selection Criteria
• MBA or equivalent qualification;
• At least 15 years of experience with a development finance institution (DFI), a commercial and investment bank or a private equity firm with tasks related to private sector infrastructure financing;
• Proven and recent deal track-record of sourcing, structuring and closing investments, both debt and equity/mezz, in infrastructure sectors, including investments in the Asia Pacific region;
• Regional knowledge of countries and understanding of infrastructure challenges faced by countries within the region; prior knowledge of Singapore markets and clients is a plus.
• Knowledge of one or more infra core sectors (energy, transportation, utilities); prior exposure to the telecoms sector is a plus;
• Understanding of climate change developments and their impact on the INR sector and project financing;
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo openly in order to build the business;
• Strong business development and client relationship skills, demonstrated network relevant for the team’s business, track record and ability to focus on clients’ needs effectively; strong sense of service to clients and demonstrated business development aptitude; proven success in developing client relationships;
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials;
• Financial skills: demonstrated ability to structure a variety of complex financial instruments (debt and equity); strong credit skills;
• Sound business judgment in identifying potential business partners; good “deal sense” based on demonstrated strong analytical skills;
• Ability to work in the matrix as an integral part of both the INR Industry Department and the Asia Pacific Regional Department;
• Ability to collaborate closely with other parts of the World Bank Group and other MFIs and financing institutions and banks;
• Ability to plan and manage staff to achieve high quality results and encourage innovation in an open team-based environment, inspiring trust and influencing and resolving differences across organizational boundaries; experience in coaching staff and actively supporting staff professional development would be a plus
• Demonstrated leadership skills and strong teamwork and communications in a highly diverse and dispersed team, and in a virtual environment;
• Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback; new ideas and ability to guide staff to solutions to problems; experience and comfort with lively debates and encouraging staff to speak up would be a plus
• High energy and ability to deliver high quality work within deadlines to meet team objectives;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English;
• Highly motivated, committed to highest ethical standards;
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development.
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.