Associate Director, Deputy Head Egypt, Financial Institutions

Purpose of Job

This position is one of several Sector AD Deputy Heads in Egypt. The role of Associate Director, Deputy Head of Egypt, Financial Institutions (“FI”) is intended (i) to support the Managing Director, SEMED (matrix manager) on all matters relating to Financial Institutions in Egypt, and as part of a core team of deputies supporting design and implementation of the business strategy for Egypt, and (ii) to support the business of Financial Institutions in Egypt, reporting to the Director, FI MEA, and working closely with all FI Directors on all FI sector related matters.

The position is operating in a dynamic environment and represents a key element within both the sector and country management.  To be effective in this role, the incumbent needs to exhibit a combination of maturity, extensive transactional banking experience, well-developed management skills and the flexibility to provide value added support in interactions with a broad range of internal (RO and HQ, especially Sector Directors) and external counterparties.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Oversight

• Support the SEMED Managing Director & Head of Egypt in the effective and coordinated implementation of the country strategy and the achievement of annual targets in Egypt.
• Take joint responsibility with the Managing Director, SEMED, for delivery of the Egypt Scorecard, and joint responsibility with the Managing Director, FI, and the Director, FI MEA for the delivery of the FI Egypt Scorecard.
  
  
• Senior point of contact with financial sector clients, with responsibility to develop new business in close coordination with FI MEA Director, in line with the Country Strategy and business plan priorities.
• Collaborate closely with the Deputy Head responsible for Government Relations as well as Deputy Heads responsible for other sectors in Cairo to ensure a strategic and integrated approach to the Bank’s operations in Egypt.
• Provide strategic oversight and guidance to drive the origination and execution of the Bank’s programmes and investment projects, ensuring their quality, effectiveness, impact, and alignment with the Bank’s mission and Egypt’s development priorities.
• In close coordination with the Regional Policy Lead, identify and implement policy initiatives to address business environment challenges and enhance investment opportunities in the Financial Sector.
• Within the Egyptian financial sector, to lead with respect to enhancing EBRD’s footprint, onboarding new clients, building the pipeline, executing the pipeline, and leading in financial sector public relations, all in coordination with the Managing Director, SEMED, the Managing Director, FI and the Director, FI MEA.
• Coordinating staff management of junior bankers (analysts and associates) dedicated to the financial sector and within the remit of the Deputy Head, FI.

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders to maintain the Bank’s visibility, credibility, and leadership in advancing private sector development in Egypt.
• Contribute to the coordination of the Bank’s stakeholder engagement efforts regarding policy developments impacting the Egyptian financial sector, ensuring alignment with EBRD strategies and priorities.
• Representing the Bank at external forums and engage with business associations, industry groups and the media, ensuring the EBRD’s voice remains influential in shaping Egypt’s corporate policy and investment environment.

Operational Management

• Drive business operations and strengthen client engagement to maximise the impact of the Bank’s financial sector activities in Egypt.
• Lead and oversee the financial sector project pipeline, ensuring efficient deal origination, structuring, and execution in alignment with EBRD’s strategy in Egypt.
• Supervise the execution, coordination, and quality control of financial sector transactions, ensuring full compliance with EBRD’s policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Engage with senior management across the Bank to enhance coordination between sectors and units, optimising synergies and improving the quality of policy dialogues and investment project outcomes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including SME Finance & Development and Equity, to integrate financing, policy, and advisory activities ensuring a cohesive and strategic approach to the Bank’s financial sector activities in Egypt.
• Actively contribute to fundraising efforts for policy and project-related technical assistance and blended finance in the financial sector, working closely with the Donor Partnerships Unit.
• Support the preparation and review of internal and external documents, ensuring high-quality briefings and reports for Bank management.
• Oversee the organisation of visits by senior Bank officials, including meeting coordination, logistics, and stakeholder engagements, to ensure seamless execution.

Risk & Compliance Management

• Identify and mitigate risks related to the Bank’s operations and activities in Egypt, including through the regular Operational Risk Monitoring function, ensuring that potential risks are addressed proactively.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations, EBRD’s operational guidelines, and international best practices across all country activities under their responsibility, safeguarding the Bank’s interests and reputation.
• Enforce adherence to EBRD’s procurement rules, ensuring that all corporate procurement activities within the country are conducted in accordance with established procedures.

Portfolio Monitoring, Value Creation and Reporting

• Accountable for the delivery of the annual FI counterparty credit reviews for Egypt; accountable for continuous monitoring of the credit risk profile of FI counterparties in the country, signalling to FI Portfolio Managers and, where relevant, Risk Management and OCCO any developments that materially affect the counterparty credit risk profile.
• Assume overall responsibility for the effective monitoring of all projects within his/her responsibility, including verifying the quality of regular monitoring reports; taking the lead in maintaining or supervising the management of client relationships; actively managing the resolution of any implementation/monitoring issues in cooperation with relevant Portfolio Managers; managing and supervising more junior bankers who assist in portfolio monitoring;
• Supervise implementation and monitoring of, and reporting on, relevant TC assignments to ensure their compliance with donor reporting requirements, operational objectives and that all reports are of a high quality;
• Take responsibility for ensuring timely notification of any critical portfolio issues to the relevant    Portfolio Manager and/or Management, ensuring availability of adequate data and information for the Portfolio Manager and/or Management to be able to take timely decisions.

Team Leadership & Development

• Support the SEMED Managing Director & Head of Egypt in leading and mentoring a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence and promoting accountability.
• Champion and role model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are always upheld.
• Oversee the flexible allocation of Analysts and Associate Bankers to support transaction execution, client engagement, and strategic initiatives.
• Manage, mentor, and develop junior staff within the FI Cairo team, ensuring structured career development and professional growth.

Additional senior responsibilities

• Responsible for timely quality control and formal sign-off in place of the Director, FI MEA of internal approval documents, for projects under the Delegated Authority route, ahead of their circulation and submission. For projects requiring Board approval, responsible for review and pre-approval of internal approval documents as well as external communication and legal documents ahead of formal Director, FI MEA sign-off.
• Expected to be a lead presenter at OpsCom, other Bank Committees and the Board.
• Depending on specific expertise and/ or skills, take on additional strategic tasks for the team as a whole, including management of geographic or business segments, and/or expanded business development responsibilities and/or expanded project portfolio management responsibilities, and/or expanded administrative/management tasks.  May be expected to act as nominee director/observer on client supervisory Boards or Board committees.

Qualifications & Skills / Experience & Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of the EBRD’s operational guidelines, policies, and best practices, particularly in relation to country strategy delivery, project implementation, and risk management.
• Strong understanding of financial sector dynamics in Egypt, including private sector investment, governance, and the business environment. A deep knowledge of industry trends, challenges, and opportunities in Egypt’s economy is essential, particularly in relation to private enterprise and sustainable growth.
• Proven ability to think strategically and contribute to high-level decision-making, with experience in developing and driving financial sector strategies that align with broader economic and development goals. Adept at ensuring the Bank’s initiatives support Egypt’s economic transition and foster private sector growth.
• Exceptional networking, relationship-building, and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence key stakeholders, including government bodies, industry associations, IFIs, business leaders, civil society, and the media. Capable of representing the Bank at the highest levels to drive strategic outcomes and advance financial sector activities.
• Proven experience in managing financial sector pipeline projects, from origination through to execution, including structuring, coordinating, and overseeing deal implementation. Ability to balance multiple priorities, ensuring projects meet targets and align with the Bank’s strategies.
• Strong understanding of risk management principles, particularly as they relate to the financial sector, ensuring all transactions comply with local regulations and the Bank’s operational guidelines.
• Experience in managing compliance, including overseeing procurement processes and ensuring adherence to organisational and regulatory standards.
• Integrity and ethical conduct, serving as a role model for the Bank’s core values and behavioural competencies, ensuring the highest standards of professional behaviour across all activities.
• Capacity to drive and influence teams internally, fostering collaboration and aligning efforts to support the achievement of strategic objectives, both through direct leadership and by leveraging influence across the organisation.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with the ability to recruit, mentor, coach, and develop junior staff. Experience in fostering a high-performance team culture and promoting career growth within a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, finance, or a related field. A higher degree in a similar discipline is desirable.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About 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.  

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment. 

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. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively.
• A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness. 
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do. 
• A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits. 

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  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, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.   

Please note, that due to the high volume of applications received, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted (for further consideration).