Senior Portfolio Assistant, Financial Institutions Group, LAC Region

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, which is 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 Latin America and the Caribbean team (FIG LAC) is based across the LAC region with main hubs and locations in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Panama and Brazil. The team members work on both new business development and processing, and portfolio management across the region.

The FIG LAC team is seeking to recruit a Senior Portfolio Assistant to support the investment team in the supervision and management of IFC’s investment portfolio. 

This position can be based in one of the regional hubs of the team Mexico City, Mexico, Panama City, Panama, Sao Paulo, Brazil or Bogota, Colombia and the incumbent will be an integral member of a team of investment officers and analysts working under the oversight of the Regional Industry Manager.

Duties and Accountabilities

The roles and responsibilities of the Senior Portfolio Assistant include but are not limited to:

•   Maintain the Reporting Requirements Tracker (RRT) system (IFC’s common repository system for tracking receipt of portfolio financials, progress, insurance, environmental, and other periodic reports due from clients as stipulated in the legal agreement); assume direct responsibility for collection of insurance policies from portfolio clients on an as-needed basis.
•   Daily tracking and enforcement of quarterly completion status of Investment Rating Platform (IRP) actions, Credit Watch List (CWL), and equity valuations and collateral monitoring every quarter – all part of the investment portfolio scorecard.
•   Prepare data and materials for quarterly portfolio review meetings.
•   Support the pipeline team in reporting, as well as managing invitations for Investment Review Meetings.
•   Support investment teams in Supervision Integrity Due Diligence.
•   Provide procedural, administrative, and analytical support to the appointment of nominee directors on the boards of portfolio clients; track IFC participation in annual and extraordinary general meetings of shareholders of portfolio clients where IFC holds an equity stake.
•   Track and cancel committed but unutilized amounts; close dormant/inactive projects; enforce development outcomes and reach data submissions on an annual basis.
•   Track the environmental & social performance of portfolio clients and proactively follow up with investment teams to ensure that action items are addressed promptly.
•   Monitor and support the collection of bills and fees related to portfolio activities and clients.
•   Ensure the correct filing of all relevant documents when a project is transferred from new business to portfolio or special operations.

Selection Criteria

Note: Preference will be given to local talent, that is, applicants who are authorized to work in the duty station for any employer. Internal applicants may apply per existing guidelines.

•   Bachelor’s degree.
•   Minimum of 2 years relevant work experience in finance, banking, or portfolio management in a major financial institution.
•   Prior exposure to IFC’s portfolio systems is a plus, as well as on directorship appointments, social & environmental requirements for financial institutions, and credit ratings for financial institutions.
•   Excellent organizational and time management skills with a proven ability to work promptly and efficiently under pressure and meet tight deadlines  
•   Sound numerical, analytical, and conceptual skills; demonstrated attention to detail and precision in analysis and presentation.
•   Prior experience in interacting with mid-level technical/managerial counterparts at financial institutions or medium/larger-sized companies.   
•   Demonstrated experience in extracting portfolio and client data from internal corporate databases.
•   Strong skills in Excel including lookup and reference functions, advanced charting, conditional formatting, dashboards, analytical data tables, and in PowerPoint including knowledge of design views, outlines, slide transitions, background designs, customization, text & object enhancement, animation, and slide show management. 
•   Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas succinctly, clearly, and persuasively. Fluency in English is required, along with fluency in either Spanish or Portuguese.  
•   Ability to think independently, analyze problems, and identify appropriate solutions.   
•   Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people at all levels (inside and outside IFC) with demonstrated team spirit and responsiveness.

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.