Principals, Regional Coordinators in the Western Balkans
We are advertising five positions of Regional Coordinators in the Western Balkans. Under the supervision of Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) Regional Head, the Principals, Regional Coordinators (RC) are responsible for delivery of the following lines of business of Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) in the Region including Local Consultancy, International Advisory, Integrated Products, Blue Ribbon, Policy Dialogue and Donor Relations. Description of each line of business is provided below.
The five positions may be based in one of the following countries of operations: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia. The location for the position will be determined subject to successful candidates.
Principal, Regional Coordinator (RC) for Local Consultancy in the Western Balkans. The RC will be responsible for coordination of the activities related to the delivery of Local Consultancy projects across the Western Balkans (WB). The RC will be coordinating local consultancy projects in the WB including a conception, implementation, completion, and evaluation of local projects, and providing regular updates and reports on portfolio in order to ensure timely and quality implementation in the WB, as well as proposing ideas and solutions for improvements. The RC will ensure overview of local projects and thus maximize potential of regional market and linkages for advisory clients. The RC will also coordinate market development activities and improvement of consultancy market for the respective line of business at the regional level. The RC will maintain close cooperation with other RCs in the WB, as well as with other relevant internal and external stakeholders. Additionally, the RC for Local Consultancy will oversee the local Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) team in the country where the RC is located, as well as some country specific assignments as instructed or delegated by management.
Principal, Regional Coordinator (RC) for International Advisory in the Western Balkans. The RC will be responsible for coordinating activities related to the delivery of International Advisory across the Western Balkans (WB), including business development, organization of pipeline discussion with country and sector teams, conception, implementation, completion, and evaluation of international advisory projects. The RC will also provide regular updates and reports on the portfolio and ensure timely and quality implementation, portfolio monitoring and all contracting and invoicing work. The RC will be responsible for the implementation of international advisory projects at regional level, this to ensure regional overview of clients and thus maximize potential of regional market and linkages for our clients. The RC will also coordinate sector development activities as well as B2B, workshops and networking events for respective line of business. The RC will be responsible to coordinate with local teams (and TCs when applicable) for delivery of International Advisory projects in the WB. The RC will be required to maintain close cooperation with other RCs in the WB, SME F&D bankers, country and sector bankers, as well as with other relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the RC for International Advisory will oversee the local Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) team in the country where the RC is located, as well as some country specific assignments as instructed or delegated by management.
Principal, Regional Coordinator (RC) for Blended and Innovative Products in the Western Balkans. The RC will be responsible for coordinating activities related to the delivery of projects under existing blended instruments in the Western Balkans (e.g. Women in Business, Competitiveness Facility), as well as conceptualization of new products in cooperation with other relevant teams across the Bank. The RC will also coordinate business/sector development activities as well as workshops and networking events for respective line of business. The RC will coordinate relationship with external partners (e.g. commercial banks, consultants, etc.) relevant for implementation of blended/integrated products in the WB. The RC will also be responsible for coordination of innovation related activities, including the conceptualization of new products and approaches to maximise impact of advisory work for beneficiaries. The RC will maintain close relationships with other RCs in the WB in respect to innovation, SME F&D bankers, country and sector bankers, as well as with other relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the RC will oversee the local Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) team in the country where the RC is located, as well as some country specific assignments as instructed or delegated by management.
Principal, Regional Coordinator (RC) for Blue Ribbon in the Western Balkans. The RC will be responsible for coordinating activities for our Blue Ribbon clients. The RC will liaise with banking teams to ensure an efficient and a high quality implementation of the Blue Ribbon Program in the Western Balkans, from the process of identification and selection of BR clients to development of action plans and their smooth implementation. The RC will also provide regular updates and reports on the BR Program and status of its implementation and recommend and initiate actions for improvements. The RC will coordinate all projects and initiatives related to the BR Program, including projects implementation, B2B, workshops, and networking events for BR clients, in close cooperation with other relevant RCs. Additionally, the RC will oversee the work of local Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) team in the country where the RC is located, as well as some country specific assignments as instructed or delegated by management.
Principal, Regional Coordinator (RC) for Policy and Stakeholder Relations in the Western Balkans. The RC will coordinate the consolidation of existing SME related policy initiatives in the region, as well as initiate new ones, working closely with other relevant teams and stakeholders. The RC will support the Regional Head, Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) vis-a-vis relationships with relevant stakeholders, including donors. The RC will coordinate related activities including identifying available funding, conceptualizing proposals, developing and maintaining good relationship with donors as well as coordinate regular reporting, audits and evaluations. The RC will work closely with SME F&D Team in HQ, the Donor Coordination Unit, the EPG team, and other stakeholders across the Bank involved in policy and donor relations. Additionally, the RC will oversee the work of local Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) team in the country where the RC is located as well as some country specific assignments as instructed or delegated by management.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities
- Responsible for successful delivery of a specific ASB Primary Line of Business in the Region.
- Develop and implement annual operational plan in line with objectives of the Small Business Initiative (SBI) as well as priorities for the Region, under the supervision of the Associate Director, ASB Regional Head (RH).
- Under the supervision of the RH, manage the donor funded budget, including monitoring grants and operational disbursements via local bank accounts, to ensure the budget is managed efficiently, effectively and transparently.
- Under the supervision of Associate Director, ASB Regional Head, recruit, motivate, train and develop staff within agreed policies and practices to maintain an effective workplace capable of meeting its objectives.
- Regularly monitor developments in the local consultancy market, and oversee and manage the implementation of the annual consultant review in order to guide market development activities.
- Identify and pursue potential clients who meet the qualifying criteria, contributing to ASB and banking business development.
- Ensure the origination, conception, implementation, completion and evaluation of ASB projects (or initiatives) in line with ASB best practices and procedures.
- Ensure successful implementation of market/sector development and visibility activities in the Region.
- Propose new initiatives and innovative approaches for more effective utilization of available SBI toolbox as well as regional market potential for clients. Ensure successful cooperation with relevant internal and external partners vis-à-vis integrated products and initiatives, or policy related issues.
- Provide regular monitoring reports on implementation of projects/initiatives.
- In close cooperation with ASB Regional Head maintain relations with local stakeholders, including government officials and representatives of international organisations; present ASB activities in public fora.
- Be accountable to donors for the effective management of their funds, including through regular reporting, audits and evaluations, so as to always be able to verify that public funding has been used prudently, for the intended purpose, and with impact that justifies its expenditure.
- Contribute to the development of the EBRD country strategy or policy dialogue efforts in line with SBI priorities and experience in the country.
- Champion and role model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring adherence within the team(s) so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree preferred or equivalent experience in the areas of expertise
- Experience in banking and finance, management consultancy, advisory services in reputable and leading firms or International Finance Institutions. Prior relevant experience and knowledge of the regional business environment, particularly the SME sector.
- Knowledge of regional business environment (particularly the SME sector) and consultancy market, as well as business advisory services in the region. Knowledge of relevant stakeholders in the region such as SME Associations or support organisations, regional development agencies, chambers of commerce & industry. Deep understating and knowledge of business practices, key industry sectors in the region, including the financial sector.
- Knowledge of donor funded work, donor organisations in the region is desirable.
- Strong people management skills, including managing a diverse team remotely.
- Business/financial analytical skills, with the ability to interpret accounts, understanding of local accounting principles and practice of company financial analysis. Strong business diagnostics skills.
- Strong project management and organisational skills.
- Practical experience of participating in transactions / projects with a leading role.
- Effective communication, presentation and negotiation skills and ability to manage complex relations with relevant stakeholders in the region including clients and consultants and others. Diplomatic skills to develop and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials and representatives of international organisations. Strong presentation skills to represent EBRD in public fora, and with interlocutors at ministerial level.
- Fluency in English and local language(s), both written and verbal. Strong writing skills in English and local language(s).
- Experience in writing project proposals, terms of references or reports desirable.
- Computer literate: excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel and Power Point, ability to learn new systems quickly.
- 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 the region.
- 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 develop those opportunities into projects that can be implemented.
APPLY :
1. Principal, Regional Coordinator LC (Req ID 15819, Tirana set up as location in the system, later to be amended if/as necessary)
2. Principal, Regional Coordinator IA (Req ID 15820, Sarajevo set up as location in the system, later to be amended if/as necessary)
3. Principal, Regional Coordinator BIP (Req ID 15821, Pristina set up as location in the system, later to be amended if/as necessary)
4. Principal, Regional Coordinator BR (Req ID 15822, Skopje set up as location in the system, later to be amended if/as necessary)
5. Principal, Regional Coordinator PSR (Req ID 15823, Belgrade set up as location in the system, later to be amended if/as necessary)
There are certain restrictions in terms of recruiting staff to the EBRD which are related to:
- nationality: prospective staff members must be nationals of a member country of the Bank
- age: must be under 65 years old
- close relatives: individuals who are close Relatives of (i) an official or a Staff Member, or (ii) the Spouse or Domestic Partner of an official or a Staff Member are not eligible for recruitment
- re-employment: must not usually be re-employed within six months of ending their last period of employment with the Bank (subject to exceptions).