Principal Investment Officer, Financial Institutions Group

Principal Investment Officer, Financial Institutions Group

Job #: req37860 Organization: IFC Sector: Investment Grade: GH Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Kyiv,Ukraine Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Ukrainian, Russian Closing Date: 8/2/2026 (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 www.ifc.org.

The Financial Institution Group (FIG) is one of IFC’s key Departments responsible for a significant portion of IFC’s business volume, profitability, and development reach, approximately 40%. FIG engages in a wide range of sub-sectors including Microfinance, SME, Gender, Climate, Insurance, Capital Markets, Housing, Distressed Assets, and other areas, with both investment and advisory services delivered globally to IFC’s clients through IFC’s global network. FIG has three main objectives: 1) financial inclusion 2) servicing the real economy and 3) mobilizing third-party resources.

FIG’s Europe team is based across the region with main offices in Vienna, Bucharest, Warsaw and Belgrade, as well as other offices across the region. The team members work on both new business development (including transaction processing) and portfolio supervision/client relationship management across the region. Both new business and portfolio supervision activity of the FIG team entails engagement with all types of Financial Intermediaries (e.g. commercial banks, microfinance companies, insurance companies, NBFIs, etc.) across multiple products ranging from senior debt to straight equity investments.

IFC is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Investment Officer to be based in Kyiv, Ukraine. This is a high-impact leadership role at the forefront of the World Bank Group's crisis response and reconstruction efforts for Ukraine. The selected candidate will lead and coordinate FIG’s investment and advisory operations on the ground, playing a pivotal role in designing complex financial structures, engaging with key public and private stakeholders, and deploying blended finance to unlock private investment where it is needed most.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The duties and accountabilities of the role include but are not limited to:

• Lead and coordinate all FIG activities in Ukraine, acting as the primary focal point. Ensure seamless integration between investment and advisory operations to drive comprehensive solutions that support the resilience and reconstruction of the Ukrainian financial sector.

• Drive business development and oversee the full transaction lifecycle. Originate, structure, negotiate, and close complex financial sector transactions (debt, equity, guarantees). Oversee portfolio management, including loan restructurings, rescheduling, and capital optimization strategies.

• Lead engagements with blended finance providers and development partners. Design and negotiate de-risking structures and co-financing arrangements essential for deploying capital and maximizing development impact.

• Build and maintain critical, high-level relationships. Act as a senior representative to engage with public sector stakeholders, government officials, regulators, and C-suite executives to support WBG sector reform efforts, align on strategic priorities, and unlock new investment opportunities.

• Champion integrated value propositions. Coordinate closely with the regional and country team, MAS, Infra, E&S, CAE, CRG, and other teams to deliver holistic, pragmatic solutions to clients, mitigating risks and achieving sustainable development impact.

• Supervise, mentor, and coach less-experienced investment and advisory staff. Foster a high-performing, resilient team culture capable of delivering high-quality projects and meeting regional FIG targets under pressure and in a dynamic environment.

• Drive regional knowledge management. Continuously monitor geopolitical and market trends in Ukraine to adapt FIG’s strategy, contributing to institutional thought leadership on crisis response and financial sector rebuilding.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in finance, Economics, Business Administration (MBA), or a closely related field. Professional certifications such as CFA or CPA are highly desirable.

• Minimum of 15 years of robust experience in the financial sector, with a proven track record in banking, non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs), and capital markets. Demonstrated success in originating, structuring, and closing highly complex transactions (including debt, equity, quasi-equity, and restructurings). Extensive experience in pioneering markets, fragile states, or conflict-affected environments (experience in Ukraine or the wider Eastern Europe region is a significant advantage).

• Proven track record of working with blended finance, donor-funded facilities, and development partners to de-risk investments and mobilize private capital. Strong understanding of IFC’s products and co-financing structures.

• Proven credibility to engage with senior government officials, regulators, and C-suite executives to influence regulatory reforms and unlock private sector opportunities. Ability to apply a political-economy lens to navigate complex institutional and country-level dynamics.

• Exceptional capacity to work across boundaries, seamlessly integrating investment operations with advisory and technical assistance services. Strong network and ability to collaborate across regional, HQ, and World Bank Group teams to replicate best practices.

• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, and coaching diverse, high-performing teams, with a commitment to building local staff capacity and fostering resilience in high-pressure environments.

• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with a proven ability to write compelling Board Papers, IRM books, and present complex deals to investment committees. Fluency in Ukrainian or Russian is highly desirable to facilitate direct client and government engagement.

If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3-years term appointment.

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.