Associate Manager – Donor Partnerships  

Purpose of Job

EBRD’s business model is increasingly dependent on access to donor funds and donor expertise, with almost half (49%) of the Bank’s investment operations dependent on access to such resources. Financial resources from donors for grants and financial instruments help the Bank to deliver on its transition mandate.  Donor Partnerships acts as a catalyst, working with internal departments to ensure that donor priorities are well understood in the Bank and that the Bank’s priorities are communicated clearly to donors. 
The Associate Manager will work in EU Partnerships, in the team responsible for managing EU funds in the Western Balkans.  The main purpose of the role is to manage the resources of the European Western Balkans Joint Fund, a multi-donor fund and the main source of grant financing under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).  It is a major and growing fund with over EUR 2.6 billion in signed contributions.  The EBRD is responsible for managing, monitoring and reporting on the financial flows to WBIF governance bodies.  The WBIF is a joint initiative of the EU, financial institutions, bilateral donors and beneficiaries, which coordinates and finances priority investments for the socio-economic development of the region.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The post sits within the EU Partnerships team in Donor Partnerships.The post holder will take responsibility for the following tasks:

European Western Balkans Joint Fund

• Perform day to day financial management of the European Western Balkans Joint Fund, ensuring financial, legal and budgetary oversight and operation of the Fund in full compliance with donor requirements;
• Regularly liaise with the European Commission, bilateral donors and other financial institutions to:
•  Call funds, process new contributions and transfer grant payments to eligible financial institutions in line with the decisions of WBIF governance bodies;
• Coordinate a bi-annual forecast of grant disbursement needs for WBIF grants with all eligible IFIs to ensure adequate liquidity for projects under implementation;
• Provide regular financial analysis and reporting in line with the Fund’s rules, including quarterly financial updates for WBIF governance bodies;
• Facilitate audits and checks from EU institutions such as the European Commission and the European Court of Auditors.

Work with EU Partnerships and internal teams to:

• Check, record and reconcile financial data in the Bank’s IT systems; 
• Update monitoring tools, including to keep detailed records of decision making by WBIF governance bodies in terms of grant approvals leveraging the Fund’s resources;
• Perform a horizontal role to ensure harmonised financial reporting for the Annual Implementation Reports for WBIF grants under implementation by the EBRD. 

Other EU Funds in the Western Balkans

• Manage a portfolio of EU bilateral funds for the Western Balkans. Take initiative in addressing and resolving donor-related issues in conjunction with internal teams and ensure donor compliance throughout implementation.
• Manage effective relations with donors, external donor agencies, other International Financial Institutions, or other relevant stakeholders, as well as internally across several departments.
• Support the negotiations of relevant donor contribution / replenishment / implementation (including financing agreement) / grant agreements with internal teams. 
• Proactively engage with operational teams to ensure the timely delivery of qualitative donor reports on the progress and completion of grant implementation in accordance with applicable rules.
• Advise operational teams on the availability of donor funds, internal policies affecting the use of donor funds, internal procedures and timing to request donor funds.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Masters degree in economics, finance, accounting and/ or equivalent;
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, accounting, and financial analysis.
• Excellent numerical and data analysis skills and proficiency in MS Excel;
• Good understanding of the global aid architecture and other developmental assistance;
• Wide understanding of types of grant support both within and outside the EBRD;
• Demonstrable experience in managing donor funds or similar work in a multilateral / international context;
• Experience in stakeholder management and effectively communicating project objectives and progress.
• Good negotiating and problem-solving skills;
• Good interpersonal skills especially as the position deals with several external stakeholders (EC, donors and IFIs);
• Good organisational and coordination skills and ability to prioritize tasks and work on own initiative, as well as in teams;
• Good verbal and written communication skills;
• Fluent English, both written and spoken. Proficiency in other languages would be an advantage.
• Chartered Accountancy qualification (CA, CPA, ACCA, or equivalent) is an advantage.

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.

Please note, all our adverts close at 10.59pm GMT time.

Right to Work in the UK: Swiss nationals (and all other non-UK employees) can work in the UK without a Visa – working at the EBRD gives all employees “exempt status”. The Bank however encourages all non-UK employees to obtain an Exempt Vignette (EV) prior to relocating to the UK, as without an EV you may face more questions at Border Control and when required to show evidence of their exempt status when renting accommodation under the Right to Rent legislation. The application process may take 3 – 4 weeks approx. outside of the UK. 

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