Associate, SME F&D Grants Unit

Purpose of Job

The Associate Manager of the SME F&D Grants Unit is responsible for implementation of Technical Co-operation, Guarantees and Co-Investment grants mobilised for the SME Finance & Development  Business Group (SME F&D)’s operations.  

The Associate Manager is responsible for a number of facilities/programmes/products that the SMEF&D may be deploying, especially complex blended finance and advisory programmes. He/she contributes to the fundraising, ensures integrity and consistency of the facilities/programmes/products’ implementation and reporting, as well as the adoption of lessons learned.

The Associate Manager reports to Associate Director/Principal Manager and supports SME F&D’s senior managers as required. The Associate Manager manages analysts and/or senior officers and provides guidance and support, as well as oversee their work and trouble-shoot issues when necessary. The Associate Manager works as part of the SME F&D and interacts with the SME F&D management, staff, donors consultants, other teams (such as Donors Partnerships, FI, ICA, OGC, etc.), the Bank’s support units, and other relevant stakeholders to mobilise, deploy, manage, report upon, and maximise the impact of  grants in SME F&D operations.  

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Under SME F&D Grants Unit Head’s guidance, the Associate will:

1. Support the donor fundraising process and grants management within the SME F&D Grants Unit’s mandate

• Contribute to concept papers, fiches, communications, presentations, and other fund-raising documents aimed at pitching or articulating SME F&D programmes requiring donor funded concessional finance; attending and contributing in donor meetings.
•  Lead or support Grant Review process, including the umbrella approval
• Prepare TCRS or contribute to aggregated result reporting
• Prepare bespoke donor progress updates and reports and any other information needed for presentation to donors at Steering and Monitoring Committee Meetings
• Support procurement of consultants needed to implement the SME F&D programmes
• Monitor deployment of the Programmes, in particular with regard to availability of TC and Non-TC funds
• Lead and develop improved internal monitoring and management systems, including on KPI implementation across instruments, in line with Project Monarch developments
• Respond to all queries related to Programmes as far donor funding is concerned
• Comment on investment documentation related to the Programmes
• Managing donors’ evaluation and audit processes of Programmes

2. Oversee development of products and contribute to their structuring: Participate in the origination, design, and development of donor funded programmes supporting implementation of the Small Business Initiative.

3. Provide guidance to the whole of SME F&D on TC and Non-TC (guarantees & incentives), and oversee the preparation and good implementation of programmes and projects

4. Other responsibilities

• Troubleshoot issues or escalate to Management.

• Manage people (Analyst/ Senior Officer as relevant)

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Relevant and substantive experience in an international financial institution or donor organisation, on grant fund-raising, product structuring, implementation, and monitoring
• Expertise and/or experience of the financial sector, working with banks and/or non-bank financial institutions, or on financial sector’s infrastructure or legal and regulatory frameworks
• Good relevant undergraduate degree at a minimum, from a leading university in the country of education; Master’s degree in business administration, project management, and international development is preferred;
• Excellent written (report drafting, correspondence) and verbal communication skills in English; additional working proficiency in a language of EBRD Countries of Operations an advantage 
• Excellent interpersonal (especially collaborative) skills
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; strong familiarity with SAP and Tableau
• Ability to handle complex matters and find pragmatic solutions to issues
• Proven, strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data
• Strong computer literacy
• Strong attention to detail, project and time management and workload prioritisation skills

• Oversee, support and ensure quality over work of Analyst and Senior Officer

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).