Principal Manager, ASB

Purpose of Job:

Under the supervision of the Associate Director (AD)/Regional Head (RH), the Regional Principal Manager (RPM) is responsible and accountable for managing and overseeing all Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) activities in the respective geography (a region with several countries or country with large scope of operations or a team of typically more than [5] people), or for a line of business of SME Finance and Development (SME F&D) across several countries – e.g. Blue Ribbon, Blended Products, Risk Sharing Facility/Supply Chain Financing, Policy Dialogue/Stakeholder relations (Primary Line of Business), or the combination of the two. The RPM is responsible for the development and implementation of the respective annual business plans, quality assurance of ASB delivery taking responsibility for overseeing and managing the conception, implementation, completion and evaluation of ASB activities. The RPM will oversee the project portfolio, design and implementation of market development, business development, visibility and outreach activities, policy dialogue, as well as the finance and administration in the respective geography. The RPM will be responsible for ensuring linkages and synergies with finance products and policy initiatives, and propose innovative approaches for maximizing utilization of Small Business Initiative toolbox and regional market potential to strengthen competitiveness of SMEs and their cooperation within the regional market. The RPM is responsible for creating a productive and stimulating working environment in order to promote and generate innovation, creative ideas and products addressing the evolving Banks strategic priorities (e.g. digital, green, inclusion), consistent with best practices [in the industry and IFIs]. Importantly, the RPM will personally champion and role model the Banks ethics culture by ensuring the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in the teams performance.

The RPM should exhibit diplomacy, tact and a willingness to maintain open and constructive relations both within the EBRD (e.g. RO, sector teams and departments across the bank) and with the local business and consulting community, financial institutions, donors and key private sector and government stakeholders).

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

Responsibility for Donor funded budget within the geography.

Under the supervision of the AD/RH, and in cooperation with respective SME bankers, responsible for the development of annual operational plans in the respective geography, including the objectives of the Small Business Initiative (SBI) for the region/large country, setting operational targets, innovative initiatives, including the grant guideline matrix for projects.

Under the supervision of the AD/RH responsible for delivery of Primary Line of Business across several countries, and thus facilitating cross-border cooperation in respective geography.

Responsible for proposing new initiatives and innovative approached for maximizing utilization of SBI toolbox in respective geography.

Responsible and accountable for Teams delivery of all ASB activities in respective geography in full alignment with the Banks policies, donor requirements, internally set quality, internal controls 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.

Oversee business development activities in the respective geography in order to increase the outreach to quality clients and generate pipeline for banking.

Ensure close co-operation with respective SME F&D and Sector Teams (including IF in the context of integrated products) bankers for a maximum synergy between advisory and banking.

Ensure a regular analysis of the ASB portfolio in the respective geography, to generate ideas for follow-up support and new initiatives.

Ensure that teams follow market trends in the respective geography and propose innovative ideas and products to address evolving market needs.

Lead and drive EBRD and SME F&Ds priority agenda within the team and in the respective geography (e.g. digital, green, and inclusion) to raise awareness and interest in order to generate more projects in priority areas.

Manage the donor-funded budget for the respective geography, including monitoring grant and operational disbursements via local bank accounts, to ensure the budget is managed efficiently, effectively, and transparently with maximum duty of care.

Qualify/approve new local consultants and sign-off on international experts, as well as manage relation with them in accordance with internal policies and procedures, ensuring engagement of high quality and integrity professionals.

Manage and oversee visibility activities in the respective geography to raise awareness of Advisory work in order to reach out to prospective clients across the country, and ensure maximum visibility for EBRD and donors.

Manage relations with a diverse stakeholder group in the respective geography, including relevant government institutions, business organisations, and representatives of international organisations.

Support AD/RH and HQ in effective management of donor funds, including through regular reporting, audits and evaluations, so to always be able to demonstrate and verify that public funding has been used prudently, for the intended purpose, and with impact that justifies its expenditure.

Directly accountable for the leadership, engagement and effective overall management of the team in the respective region or a large country in accordance with EBRD behavioural competences and best practice in order to ensure healthy, respectful and stimulating working environment for the team including recruitment, performance management, coaching and development. Where matrix reporting is in place, work jointly with the country counterpart when setting objectives and completing performance appraisals for relevant staff.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications:

Education/Professional qualifications

BA/MA from a recognised programme in international development, finance, economics or business and/or equivalent work experience.

Experience

Relevant experience in management, banking and finance, managing consultancy or advisory services in reputable and leading firms or International Financial Institutions.

Relevant experience/knowledge of business environment, SME and consultancy market in the respective geography. Expertise/solid experience working in at least one of the SME F&D priority areas (e.g. ESG, sustainable supply chains, digitalisation, integrated/inclusion programmes with FI, risk sharing facility, Blue Ribbon), as well as market trends in these areas.

Knowledge of business advisory services in the respective geography.

Experience and knowledge of development of relevant digital content and digital delivery.

Knowledge of relevant stakeholders in the respective geography such as relevant government entities, SME Associations or support organisations, regional development agencies, chambers of commerce & industry, and other key players and partners with SME mandate.

Knowledge of donor funded work, donor organisations, with experience in fund raising, managing programme and project budgets.

Familiarity with the topics of green economy and economic inclusion.

Experience and ability to manage the diverse team in a complex and matrix organizational structures, within the context of an international and multicultural setting.

Experience and ability to manage and drive the change.

Ability to establish and effectively maintain relationship with all relevant internal stakeholders (ROs, Sector Teams, FI, Departments across the Bank).

Ability to promote the ASB work with internal stakeholders.

Ability to effectively present ASB work at different public fora and media/communication channels.

Skills

Business / financial analytical skills, with the ability to interpret accounts, understanding of accounting principles and practice of company financial analysis.

Knowledge of the regional business and donor environment, particularly SME sector.

Deep understanding and knowledge of business practices, key industry sectors in the region, including the financial sectors.

People management (recruitment, mentoring, coaching) skills.

Experience with and understanding of local small businesses their development challenges, financing needs, strengths and weaknesses.

Strong organisational skills.

Effective communication, presentation and negotiation skills and ability to manage relations with a diverse stakeholders in the respective geography.

Diplomatic skills to develop and maintain strong relationships with local stakeholders, including government officials, representatives of international organisations and donors in respective geography.

Fluency in English and local language(s), both written and verbal. Strong writing and communications/presentations skills in English and local language(s), including social media.

Experience in writing donor proposals and reports.

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

General

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

Ability to work in multi-cultural environment.

Multi-tasking, self-initiative.

Ability to meet deadlines.

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

Strong presentation skills to represent EBRD in public fora, and with interlocutors at ministerial level.

Strong leadership skills, with experience in leading at a senior level, interpreting and delivering strategies and programmes.

Ability to convincingly articulate strategy and resource needs to EBRD senior management.

Strategic vision to recognise opportunities to innovate and lead the team in developing those opportunities into initiatives/projects that can be implemented.

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 Banks 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.