Associate Investment Officer -Public Private Partnership Transaction Advisory

World Bank Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 700 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

An international development organization is seeking an Associate Investment Officer in Johannesburg. The role involves supporting the PPP team in business development and project execution within infrastructure sectors. Candidates should have an MBA, at least 5 years of relevant experience in project finance or similar areas, and excellent analytical and communication skills in English and Portuguese.

Benefits

Retirement plan

Medical, life, and disability insurance

Paid leave including parental leave

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in project finance, corporate finance, M&A, or private equity.
• Knowledge of infrastructure transactions/PPP advisory.
• Strong communication skills in English and Portuguese.

Responsibilities

• Support business development and execution of mandates.
• Manage client relationships and project teams.
• Prepare financial models and documentation.

Skills

Client relationship skills

Analytical skills

Financial modeling

Project finance experience

Multitasking

Education

MBA or equivalent Post-Graduate degree

Job description

Associate Investment Officer - Public Private Partnership Transaction Advisory

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 through 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: M&A Advisory, Equity Mobilization Program (EMP) and Asset monetization involving listed or listing public entities.

CTA mobilised $6.2 billion of private investment in FY25, about 25% of IFC’s total core mobilisation. 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 in Cairo, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Abidjan and Abuja. The CTA department is expected to continue playing a leading role in mobilising private capital on behalf of the IFC.

The CTA team focuses on advising on the following types of transactions across all infrastructure sectors: PPP transactions e.g. BOT‑type concessions, restructuring and privatisation of state‑owned enterprises, and corporate finance activities such as equity raising, M&A and pre‑IPO support.

PPP Transaction Advisory is seeking an Associate Investment Officer with relevant experience to support the Southern Africa (SA) CTA hub in Johannesburg, which includes 12 countries in Africa.

The Associate Investment Officer will support the PPP team in business development and execution of mandates. He/she will report directly to the SA Hub leader and the Regional Manager for CTA in Africa.

Role & Responsibilities

The AIO’s work will involve the implementation of advisory mandates of a variety of types, and main tasks include support for business development, interactions with clients, hiring of consultants, preparing and potentially delivering presentations, elaboration of financial modelling and overseeing technical due diligence. The AIO will participate in transaction structuring and management of the bidding processes. Duties will include, but will not be limited to:

• Contribute to origination and marketing activities across Southern Africa, supporting marketing activity in assigned countries/sectors, and that may include the preparation of pitch books, and collaboration with IFC regional management and WBG teams to identify opportunities based on country strategies and market creation potential.
• Support the development of client relationships, undertaking project scoping, as needed, to assess the feasibility of potential projects, and prepare commercial presentations, engage in mandate negotiation, etc., towards securing a strong portfolio.
• Prepare/review memos and documentation for the project’s internal approval and consultant procurement processes, and manage the project budget.
• Develop an understanding of the project‑specific legal, regulatory, and/or financial impediments for private sector participation and, as appropriate, work closely with other parts of the WBG able to support regulatory framework development or enabling financing mechanisms.
• Lead the day‑to‑day management of the project’s teams working on sell‑side PPP mandates, including review of technical outputs, documentation and financial models.
• Develop transaction structure options for specific project(s), providing innovative solutions, and present the recommendations to IFC management and government clients.
• Participate in meetings with government clients and investors supporting the project lead.
• Support and manage the project(s) tendering process, including marketing activities, pre‑qualification process, issuance of requests for proposals, selection, project award and the final negotiation of project agreements leading to commercial closing.
• Develop, coach, motivate and manage junior members of the team.
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of upstream activities in line with IFC 3.0 to create, deepen and expand markets with the regional and global team from across IFC and the WBG.
• If required, support the SA Hub Lead on developing the sub‑regional strategy, origination activities, etc.
• If required, support the Corporate Finance mandates, both in terms of origination and execution.
• Assist in other projects or strategy‑related activities as the need may arise.

Selection Criteria

Minimum Requirement: MBA or equivalent Post‑Graduate degree in business, finance or economics and solid 5 years of experience gained either in project finance, corporate finance, M&A and privatisations, or private equity funds in infrastructure.

• Knowledge and experience in infrastructure transactions/PPPs advisory or project financing, preferably in Africa.
• Experience in business development, particularly in the preparation of background research, commercial proposals and concept notes to seek project mandate approval.
• Demonstrate client relationship skills, track record and ability to focus on clients’ needs effectively.
• Track record of contractual and/or financial closings of infrastructure transactions is preferred.
• Demonstration of understanding of aspirations, needs and constraints of government officials, project developers, investors and technical and legal consultants in the infrastructure space in Africa is preferred.
• Ability to manage teams, delivering high‑quality work within deadlines.
• Strong analytical and financial modelling in project finance, as well as structuring skills.
• Multitask and operate under pressure.
• Independently develop financial models and sound financial analysis.
• Structure or restructure transactions to look for prudent and sustainable risk sharing among all parties.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills and ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, both in written and oral form.
• Ability to operate in large, culturally diverse, and geographically dispersed teams.
• Ability to interact with consultants, government officials and investors.
• Willingness and ability to travel on short notice and frequently, as required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Portuguese. French is desirable.

WBG Culture Attributes

• Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
• Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.

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.