Purpose of Job:

Under the supervision of Principal Manager/ Regional Principal Manager the Associate is leading on delivering advisory instruments, activities and any other delegated tasks under Advice for Small Businesses Programme (“ASB”) in line with strategic priorities of the Bank and SME Finance and Development (“SME F&D”) (e.g. synergy with banking, integrated products, green, digital, inclusion, sustainable supply chain financing) and in coordination with relevant teams internally (e.g. Financial Instruments, Industry Commerce and Agribusiness, Inclusion, Policy and other relevant teams).The Associate will perform in full alignment with Bank’s policies and procedures, donor requirements, internal control and compliance standards, as well as the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct working with credible and respectable counterparts. The Associate will be responsible to take a proactive role in pipeline development of high potential clients with banking prospects and provide advisory support to nourish them for investment readiness, including but not limited to project generation, conception and implementation/monitoring, evaluation of more sophisticated and complex projects, as well as portfolio management and its assessment. Responsibilities will also include design and delivery of market and sector development activities, digital outreach, cooperation with relevant partners and stakeholders, as well as visibility activities.

The Associate will be responsible to follow on market trends and carry out analysis of portfolio to propose new ideas, as well as look for leads for new funding. The Associate will also work alongside bankers to assess clients’ financing needs, propose and implement pre- and post-investment support related to execution of EBRD banking projects. It is expected that the topics of resource efficiency and sustainability will be highly relevant.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Support the Principal Manager/ Regional Principal Manager/ Associate Director to develop and implement the ASB annual operational plan for the country, propose a new initiatives, as well as other operational efforts in the SME F&D Strategic Priority Areas.

• Under the supervision of the Principal Manager/ Regional Principal Manager/ Associate Director lead on design and implementation of complex/ sophisticated ASB projects with the focus on bankable clients and SME F&D Strategic Priority Areas including identifying potential clients, developing project proposal, and deliver advisory work to potential clients.

• Originate and develop the pipeline of potential clients who meet the qualifying criteria, to support banking pipeline generation, particularly SME F&D, FI (Financial Institutions) and ICA (Industry, Commerce and Agribusiness), business development.

• Execute ASB projects throughout project cycle form generation, conception, implementation and evaluation in full alignment with the Bank’s policies, donor requirements, internally set quality and compliance standards, as well as highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct working with credible and respectable counterparties and mitigating financial or reputational risks to the Bank or donor.

• Ensure to follow prescribed procedure and standards for the selection of the consultant and in line with hight standards, ensure the terms of reference meet standards and prepare the project proposal in line with ASB best practices.

• Contribute to the development of internal and donor reports in partnership with the HQ.

• Follow and identify potential donor funding leads and other market and business opportunities.

• Under the supervision of line manager, lead on the initiatives with partner organizations (e.g. business associations and support organization, partner financial institution or other relevant partner with SME mandate).

• Under the supervision of the Principal Manager/ Regional Principal Manager/ Associate Director lead the design and implementation of market development or visibility activities focusing on the Strategic Priority Areas in line with ASB best practices.

• Interface with ASB staff in the country and in HQ as well as banking colleagues with a view to generate cross-referrals for direct and indirect EBRD investments and ASB projects; identify prospects for Blue Ribbon portfolio. This may include participating as a team member in banking projects implementation (i.e. where financing is provided to clients).

• Manage relations with local consultants with a view on expanding the consultancy database and visiting international experts.

• Support Principal Manager/ Regional Principal Manager/ Associate Director to establish and sustain good relations with donors and other stakeholders to identify and recommend funding leads, support the development of funding proposals and produce accurate and relevant donor reports.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications:

Education/Professional qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (Business, Economics, Finance etc.)

Experience

• Relevant professional experience, preferably from management or impact consultancy firms (strong preference), or alternatively from financial institutions (banks), or auditing companies .

• Good knowledge and experience working in at least one of the SME F&D Priority Areas (i.e. green economy, economic inclusive, sustainable supply chains, risk sharing, digitalisation) as well as market trends in these areas. The areas of “resource efficiency and sustainability” is of strong relevance.

• Knowledge of local business environment and consultancy market.

• Knowledge of relevant stakeholders and SME business association or support organizations

Skills

• Strong business advisory and consultancy skills.

• Business / financial analytical skills, with the ability to interpret accounts, understand local accounting principles and conduct financial analysis.

• Strong project management and organisational skills.

• Strong business diagnostics and problem solving skills.

• Effective communication, presentation and negotiation skills and ability to manage relations with clients, consultants and other stakeholders.

• Strong writing skills; experience in writing advisory consultancy projects, project proposals, terms of references or reports desirable.

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Fluency in language of country of operations.

• Computer literate: excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel and Power Point, ability to learn new systems quickly.

• Knowledge of marketing and social media.

General

• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the EBRD mandate, passionate about private sector development.

• Ability to work in multi-cultural environment.

• Ability to work independently and with diverse teams.

• Multi-tasking, self-initiative.

• Ability to meet deadlines.

• Ability and willingness to travel within the country and internationally.

What is it like to work at the EBRD?

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people’s lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in.

The EBRD environment provides you with:

• Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in;
• A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity;
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do.

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does. A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.