Upstream Investment Officer - Telecoms, Media and Technology (TMT) | Kuala Lumpur, MY

World Bank Group; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; USD 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Upstream Investment Officer to drive investment opportunities in the Telecoms, Media, and Technology (TMT) sector across the Asia & Pacific region. This pivotal role involves incubating high-impact projects, collaborating with various teams, and supporting policy reforms to unlock private sector investments. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in investment structuring and project development, with a genuine commitment to fostering sustainable growth. Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity while making a significant impact in emerging markets.

Benefits

Retirement plan

Medical insurance

Life and disability insurance

Paid parental leave

Flexible work arrangements

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in investment and project development.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills required.

Responsibilities

• Enable investment opportunities in TMT through project incubation.
• Enhance investment outcomes and improve performance of clients.

Skills

Investment Structuring

Project Development

Analytical Skills

Client Preparation

Risk Management

Education

Master's degree in Business or Finance

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Upstream Investment Officer - Telecoms, Media and Technology (TMT)

Upstream Investment Officer - Telecoms, Media and Technology (TMT)

Upstream Investment Officer - Telecoms, Media and Technology (TMT)

Job #:
req32901

Organization:
IFC

Sector:
Upstream

Grade:
GG

Term Duration:
3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
5/7/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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.

The IFC 3.0 strategy aims to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected States (FCS). This strategy aims to create new opportunities for private investments in riskier markets and sectors by proactively working "upstream" to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop potential investment projects. Achieving these growth and impact ambitions at scale requires a different approach to business development, deal sourcing, and client support that relies on 1) a broader product offering to engage earlier in the project cycle and secure opportunities; 2) a greater focus on preparing clients in nascent markets and sectors for investment; 3) a greater focus on value addition and risk management of portfolio investment clients to enhance their performance; and 4) a longer time horizon and a more patient, longer-term perspective.

In this context, IFC is seeking an Upstream Investment Officer focused on Telecoms Media and Technology (TMT) for its Infrastructure Upstream and Advisory program in the Asia & Pacific (APAC) Region. The Upstream Investment Officer will work as part of the Upstream and Advisory APAC Infrastructure team in enabling investment opportunities, enhancing investment outcomes, and improving investment conditions in the TMT sector in the APAC region- critical activities for the corporation to deliver on its ambitious strategy.

The selected candidate will be expected to implement Upstream and Advisory existing projects and have an active role in the origination of new ones which are essential to build the pipeline of future IFC investments in TMT in the APAC region. S/he will also be expected to originate, structure, and execute investments in the TMT sector. S/he would work across IFC business lines and support policy work and other interventions across the World Bank Group to prioritize various initiatives and to maximize the impact of IFC's efforts in the TMT space.

The Upstream Investment Officer will be based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and is expected to frequently visit (travel permitting) other countries where clients are based. The Upstream Investment Officer will closely collaborate with the Infrastructure and TMT Investment teams covering APAC to ensure a coordinated provision of services that span the continuum of IFC's operations - across idea generation, enabling environment, project development and client preparation and investment. S/he will also work together with relevant Industry Specialists and experts in the World Bank, leveraging skills and knowledge across the WBG.

Role & Responsibilities:

The roles and responsibilities of the position will include but not be limited to:
• Enable investment opportunities in TMT by 1) incubating high-impact projects and initiatives that require upstream project development to reach the point of investment and 2) getting potential clients ready for IFC investment through client preparation and development.
• Enhance investment outcomes in TMT through Upstream and Advisory projects that 1) increase the development impact of IFC investments and 2) improve the performance of IFC investment portfolio clients, through the provision of value-additive and risk-mitigation services.
• Improve investment conditions in the TMT sector by 1) Leading and/or collaborating with other teams across IFC and the WBG efforts to drive sector-wide change in priority areas and 2) Leading and/or collaborating with other teams across IFC and the WBG efforts to open new markets for private sector participation.
• Support business development efforts, together with investment, regional/country, and global Industry teams and ensure high level of client satisfaction.
• Lead structuring, processing and negotiation of investment transactions up to mandate and support/ lead select projects that they have originated throughout IFC project cycle.
• Work closely with sector and country leads to foster cross-departmental collaboration and ensure the efficient deployment of staffing, resources, products and solutions to meet client-specific requirements.
• Work closely with Global units in the designing/piloting of global products, knowledge sharing, and maintenance of pipeline/portfolio quality in TMT.
• Engage with and establish partnerships with thought leaders and decision makers across the World Bank Group and externally to foster innovative thinking about the creation of new markets and to identify and implement sector and regulatory reforms to unlock private investment opportunities, including leveraging the Bank's lending program.
• Actively collaborate and engage with the Partnerships department to proactively contribute to donor engagement strategy, relationship management, and reporting.
• Spot game-changing trends, technologies and business models that can increase development impact and present opportunities for high-value proprietary engagements in the TMT sector.
• Disseminate and absorb knowledge and experience across the regional industry department and global teams to support adoption of new approaches and best practices that have been developed in the region.
• Build a network of industry stakeholders for knowledge sharing and generating leads in APAC.

Selection Criteria
• Master's degree in business, finance, economics, international relations, law, engineering, or another related field.
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience, with at least 4 years' experience in developing markets. Knowledge of the TMT sector in APAC is a plus.
• Experience developing solutions for private sector clients in TMT sector and subsectors.
• Familiarity with carbon finance and sustainability-linked finance is a plus.
• Appreciation for how policy reforms, advisory interventions, investment, and mobilization can be linked to deliver solutions at a country or regional level.
• Ability to support engagements with private sector clients, local and national governments, and other partners to encourage pioneering business and market development.
• Experience with project and/or program development and executing against implementation plans.
• Experience in monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects, programs, and/or initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills and proven ability to work on several assignments simultaneously are required.
• Outstanding and demonstrated history of analytical, creative problem solving and critical thinking skills are required.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English are required.
• Genuine dedication to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC's mission, strategy, and values.
• Understanding of IFC's strategic priorities and changing business model against the backdrop of IFC 3.0.

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.

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