Job Description

Chief Equity Risk Officer - Asia

Job #: req38279 Organization: IFC Sector: Risk Grade: GH Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Singapore,Singapore; Hong Kong, China Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 9/30/2026 (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: https://www.ifc.org

This vacancy announcement is for one position posted across multiple possible duty stations. That includes Singapore and Hong Kong. The selected candidate's duty station will be determined based on organizational requirements and business needs.

The successful candidate will join IFC's Investment and Credit Risk Department (CIR), which is part of the Risk Management Vice-Presidency. CIR is responsible for providing an independent risk-reward assessment for all new investment transactions and material portfolio events, ensuring they meet IFC's minimum investment standards as required by any applicable policies, procedures, or guidelines. CIR also plays an essential role in maintaining an investment culture within IFC by disseminating credit and equity expertise and best practices through various knowledge management activities.

IFC is seeking a Chief Equity Risk Officer to join its Investment and Credit Risk Department.

The Equity Risk Unit within CIR (CIREQ) comprises specialized risk professionals who form part of IFC’s independent risk oversight system. Equity Risk Officers review and approve equity, quasi-equity, mezzanine, fund, and debt-with-equity upside investment proposals, as well as material portfolio actions submitted by IFC’s investment and portfolio teams. They represent CIR in Equity Review Meetings and Corporate Portfolio Committees. They also work with teams to identify and mitigate equity risk, ensure that transactions meet IFC’s minimum investment standards, and assess whether the risk-reward profile is consistent with the appetite set by senior management.

Equity Risk Officers also help maintain IFC’s investment culture by sharing equity and mezzanine expertise, contributing to knowledge management, and mentoring investment staff in the context of transactions and portfolio actions.

Candidates are expected to have a strong track record and deep expertise in managing all aspects of equity investment risk. This role requires a thorough understanding of equity investment risks, equity and mezzanine investment structuring, value addition opportunities and assessing upside potential in equities as well as challenging situations and trends in equity portfolios in emerging markets. Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to assess how macroeconomic, political, sector, and market developments affect equity value, and portfolio performance.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Provide independent risk and upside assessments and approvals for new equity and mezzanine transactions and material portfolio actions, while meeting the service standards under the Credit Client Service Framework.
• Represent CIR on Investment Committees, Equity Reviews and corporate-wide working groups on equity and mezzanine.
• Engage with investment and portfolio teams throughout the project cycle — from early review through post-disbursement — to identify, assess, and resolve material issues in equity and mezzanine investments.
• Ensure IFC’s risk appetite, as set by IFC senior management, is implemented, profitability targets are met, and each transaction presents an appropriate risk-reward balance.
• Provide senior expert input on upside potential, value-add opportunities, and vulnerabilities in equity and mezzanine transactions, including changes to investment terms, conversions, rights issues/waivers of pre-emptive rights, restructurings, and exits. Ensure upside potential and risks are fully disclosed and understood throughout the approval process.
• Keep abreast of developments in portfolio projects, including through quarterly portfolio meetings and equity reviews. Ensure that relevant feedback is shared with CPV, CSO, CIRVA, and other stakeholders, and that material issues are reflected in valuations, follow-up items, and watch-list discussions. Support CIRVA function as needed to ensure adequate equity valuations.
• Work with Global Heads of Equity, Portfolio Managers, and Special Operations teams to manage distressed equity and mezzanine investments, with a view to maximizing recoveries and minimizing liabilities.
• Lead the review of equity valuation analysis for new business and portfolio investments and coordinate with relevant Risk Departments on valuation issues for equity and mezzanine projects.
• Develop, review, and discuss equity standards, policies, procedures, and business process improvements. Assure IFC policies, procedures, guidelines, and best practices are implemented so that equity and mezzanine transactions and portfolios contribute to IFC’s financial and development goals.
• Identify relevant market, macroeconomic, sector, and portfolio trends, including early-warning signals, and translate them into practical risk insights for pipeline, portfolio, valuation, and business discussions.
• Maintain a strong network of internal and external contacts to stay current on equity market conditions, sector developments, country risks, and emerging portfolio issues.
• Contribute to knowledge management activities through drafting of structuring notes, actively supporting equity training programs, or similar activities.
• Mentor junior equity risk staff within CIR and staff on rotation from operational departments.
• Formulate clear, well-reasoned, and persuasive recommendations for corporate committees and senior management.

Selection Criteria

• A Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in finance, business, law, economics, international affairs or similar fields.
• At least 10 –15 years of relevant experience with a major financial investor in emerging markets, including at least 3 –10 years as a decision-maker with positive track record on Investment Committees (in particular equity committees) responsible for sizeable portfolios and covering multiple sectors, all stages of development of investee companies, and all equity and mezzanine products, direct equity investments, fund investments and co-investments.
• Exposure to the full equity investment cycle across multiple transactions, including origination, structuring, portfolio management, valuation, exits, and distressed situations.
• Experience as a Board Member or Fund Advisory Committee member would be an advantage.

Skills

• Ability to manage high-stakes conflicts constructively under pressure, make difficult decisions, and communicate them in a way that builds understanding and ownership among stakeholders, and that achieve target profitability and an appropriate risk-reward outcome for IFC.
• Self-starter requiring minimal supervision. Highest standards of integrity. Strong independence of thought and ability to express candid opinions.
• Recognized as a team player and a leader. Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to build strong relationships across boundaries.
• Proven ability to work effectively under a complex matrix organization (with regional, product and sectoral leadership).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information clearly for committees, senior management, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Broad exposure to sectors (e.g., Financial Institutions, Real Sector, Early-Stage Equity), as well as to equity and mezzanine products, funds, and co-investments.
• Strong analytical skills, sound business judgment, and well-developed deal sense, especially in equity and mezzanine investing.
• Deep understanding of analysis, structuring and documentation of equity and mezzanine products.
• Ability to form independent views, communicate them clearly, and make sound judgments under pressure.
• Extensive understanding of Corporate Governance issues.
• Sound understanding of global and regional macroeconomic and geopolitical trends.
• A positive attitude and personality ("glass half full" perspective) with interests outside of work.

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.