Principal/Chief Credit Officer

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Provide objective and independent risk assessment for transaction approvals and portfolio monitoring, while meeting the Standard Level Agreements in the Credit Client Service Framework.
• Serve as a second pair of eyes throughout the investment cycle, partnering with business teams from early review through post-disbursement on transaction structure, documentation, financial performance, covenant compliance, ratings, portfolio trends, and risk mitigation tools.
• Ensure new transactions and portfolio actions comply with IFC policies, procedures, and best practices in support of IFC’s financial and development objectives.
• Help maintain a sound risk-reward balance consistent with IFC’s risk appetite and portfolio quality standards.
• Approve the initial credit risk rating and facility rating for new transactions and review sample portfolio ratings on an ongoing basis.
• Visit transaction teams and/or clients in key office locations to get a first-hand understanding of market conditions and risks.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and staff development through training, investment FAQs, and other departmental initiatives, and mentor more junior staff.
• Participate in reviews and discussions of credit standards, pricing, deal acceptance criteria, and business process improvement, and represent the department on relevant working groups.
• Advise the RCRO and VP Risk on new transactions or portfolio developments, which could adversely affect IFC’s asset quality, developmental impact, or future performance. 

Selection Criteria

• A Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in finance, business, with a minimum 15 years of experience in lending and investing at a major international financial institution, including 5–10 years as a decision-maker; equity experience is an advantage.
• Experience in Emerging Markets, particularly Africa, is preferred.
• Significant credit risk management experience across sectors and products, including the ability to assess and apply risk procedures judgmentally on a case-by-case basis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to synthesize complex information clearly.
• Strong experience across debt and equity products, with deep expertise in financial analysis, deal structuring, and documentation.
• Strong investment judgment, analytical rigor, and independence of thought, with sound deal sense and a consistent record of high-quality decisions.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and negotiation skills, with the ability to collaborate across the organization, build buy-in, and deliver results under pressure.
• Demonstrated capacity to resolve conflicts constructively, exercise sound judgment in complex decision-making, and convey outcomes clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong people management and mentoring skills, with openness to feedback and innovative ideas.
• Sound understanding of global, regional, and market dynamics, with the ability to build effective external relationships.
• High integrity, strong results orientation, and the ability to work independently and effectively in a complex matrix and multicultural environment.
• Recognized team player and leader with the ability to build strong relationships across boundaries.

WBG Culture Attributes:

• Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
• Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.