Principal Investment Officer

Principal Investment Officer - CSF Regional Lead (South Asia)

Job #:

req34785

Organization:

IFC

Sector:

Investment

Grade:

GH

Term Duration: 3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Mumbai,India

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

11/20/2025 (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:
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 emerging markets. In addition to its more traditional business, IFC supports these companies through its Private Equity and Venture Capital Department (CSF), which invests in private equity and early-stage venture capital funds, as well as directly in early and late-stage tech companies.
IFC is seeking a Principal Investment Officer to provide coverage for IFC's private equity and venture capital investment program in South Asia. In addition to leading our Private Equity and Venture Capital investment activities across South Asia, the role will include developing relevant corporate initiatives, partnerships, and engagement to enhance IFC's strategic positioning in the region, working closely with the broader IFC and World Bank teams on building entrepreneurship ecosystems.
S/he will be based in Mumbai, India and will report to the Global Head, Private Equity Funds (CSFPE), and the Global Head, Venture Capital (CSFDT).
Duties and Responsibilities:

•  Lead business development, due diligence, negotiation, and transaction structuring of new business opportunities and collaborating extensively with WBG colleagues across the region and industry verticals.
•  Establish, build, and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders in South Asia's private equity funds and venture ecosystems including fund managers, early and late-stage start-ups, VCs, corporate and strategic investors, and development partners.
•  Jointly with WBG Industry Verticals develop strong relationships with leading industry strategics across relevant industry verticals (i.e., infrastructure, financial institutions, manufacturing, healthcare, agribusiness, and logistics) to facilitate connections with portfolio companies for commercial and strategic partnerships.
•  As part of the investment origination and portfolio management responsibilities, drive rigorous compliance and risk management by the PE & VC regional team, leading by example on active portfolio supervision and engagement.
•  Develop and make strategic private equity and VC fund investments, and co-investments, based on rigorous market mapping, review of forward calendar, and due diligence of the funds selected for investment.
•  Develop and make strategic direct venture investments and co-investments for relevant investment themes in target sectors based on rigorous due diligence of prospective early growth stage ventures, strong technology analysis, business model and financial valuation.
•  Manage portfolio of private equity and VC funds and direct investments in South Asia; helping fund managers and investees leverage on the resources and expertise of IFC and the broader World Bank Group. Portfolio responsibilities would include representing IFC on LPACs of funds and boards of portfolio companies. S/he will also help drive value creation; including building strong relationships across IFC's industry departments in South Asia, as well as their clients and prospects, to help facilitate such value creation.
•  Support the identification of and development of upstream and market creation initiatives to foster tech innovation and related venture ecosystem building in relevant emerging markets in alignment with country and sector strategies. 
•  Represent CSF in internal and external events and support relevant corporate initiatives, partnerships and engagement on funds and tech related business to enhance IFC's strategic positioning.
•  Represent CSF with IFC and WBG Regional Leadership in South Asia to coordinate and drive operational deliverables, priorities and strategic initiatives.

Selection Criteria

•  At least 12-15 years of work experience of which at least 5-8 years of private equity funds and venture capital experience, ideally with emerging markets transaction experience.
•  Deep understanding of the private equity funds and venture capital sector and ability to link policy and advisory interventions, investment, and mobilization to deliver solutions at a regional level. Experience in lead negotiating and structuring private equity fund investments as well as venture equity transactions.
•  Experience in portfolio management, including facilitation of exits.  Having prior experience as an LPAC member and/or investee company board director is a plus.
•  Genuine commitment to development and to the mission, strategy, and values of IFC and wider World Bank Group.
•  Understanding of IFC's strategic priorities. Demonstrated capacity to innovate and challenge the status quo and proven track record of new idea generation, business development, and creating projects / programs from scratch.
•  Track record of engaging with private sector clients, local and national governments, and other stakeholders to encourage pioneering business and market development.
•  Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills; demonstrated ability to synthetize complex information and make concrete strategic and tactical recommendations.
•  Gravitas to interact directly with senior management of clients, technical and strategic partners and with senior government officials.
•  Sensitivity for working in multicultural environment, commitment to diversity, and ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues / clients / partners across regions, sectors, and business lines.
•  Excellent people and interpersonal skills, openness to feedback, new ideas, and ability to guide, and motivate others.
•  Must excel at emotional intelligence with the necessary skills to coach, develop and inspire direct reports and other team members, as well as enable efficient cross functional and departmental collaboration Ability to lead by example to build credibility and trust to emulate a culture of high performance and commitment.
•  Advanced/Master's degree required, MBA from leading international institutions preferred.
•  Written competency and spoken language fluency in English.
•  Excellent financial and analytical skills.

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.

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