Senior Innovation & Product Development, Financial Institutions

Purpose of Job

Financial Institutions Group is one of EBRD’s largest sector teams, responsible for approximately 40% of EBRD’s annual business investment via a wide spectrum of projects in the financial sector. Its client base comprises over 300 partner FIs across almost all EBRD countries of operation.

The New Product Delivery Team, working closely with client coverage teams, develops and pilots new impactful products for implementation via financial institutions in EBRD’s countries of operations. One of the key areas of focus at present is financing (primary) agriculture at scale, drawing from innovations in the financing of sustainable agriculture and green finance for mitigation and adaptation. The team also screens the market for opportunities in new areas that the Bank may wish to engage in.

The Senior Innovation & Product Development will be responsible for leading the agriculture financing efforts as well as designing, structuring, and executing novel financial products that are strategically aligned with our mission and the needs of our partner banks. You will work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, including financial institutions, to ensure the successful deployment of new financing products focusing on the areas mentioned above. The role will involve overseeing the product lifecycle from inception to implementation – conducting and/or coordinating actionable market analysis, assessing risks, building negotiable terms for partner banks’ consideration, and building in technical sector-related advisory (e.g. sustainable agriculture practices, agtech solutions and/or digital payment schemes), where applicable.

EBRD Financial Institutions (FI) is committed to broadening its product offerings, including, inter alia, to better serve the diverse needs of the agricultural sector across its countries of operations. As part of this strategic initiative, EBRD FI seeks a visionary and experienced Senior Innovation & Product Development to lead the development and implementation of new agricultural financing products as well as others as articulated above. This role is critical in driving the expansion of our financial solutions, ensuring they are tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities in our countries of operation. The successful candidate will play a key role in creating new FI products, fostering innovation, and supporting economic resilience and growth.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Identify market needs and opportunities through thorough market research and stakeholder engagement.
• Design and structure innovative impactful financial products that meet market demands and the EBRD’s strategic objectives and have the potential to scale.
• In close cooperation with client coverage teams, lead the product lifecycle from concept to launch, including pilot programs and market rollouts.
• Develop financial models and perform detailed risk analysis to ensure the viability and sustainability of new products.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment with EBRD requirements and risk mitigation.
• Monitor and evaluate product performance, making data-driven adjustments and improvements.
• Represent and promote the Bank through developing key relationships with senior level counterparts, attend industry events, conferences, meetings with government authorities, investors, organisations, donors and business communities;
• Report on the outcome of such activities to share knowledge internally;
• Critically screen project proposal flow that is generated through business development efforts, liaising with other colleagues and teams within the Bank in order to identify sound and executable investments that meet the requirements of the Bank’s mandate.
• Recruit, supervise, coach and guide junior bankers, (or provide active support) and involve them in all aspects of the product development cycle, ensuring adequate quality of project work and appropriate workload distribution amongst the project team members; contribute to their professional and competency development;
• Develop productive relationships within the organisation to work effectively in a country/sector matrix structure and in a multi-cultural working environment.
• 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.

Qualifications,Skills, Experience & Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree.  Master’s degree preferred or equivalent experience in the areas of expertise.
• Professional qualification such as ACA, CFA, ACCA, or CIMA desirable.
• Domain expertise in agricultural financing is desirable.
• Ability to think out of the box and strategically to drive change and expand FI’s product offering.
• Self-starter and problem-solver with a can-do entrepreneurial attitude.
• Stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Strong quantitative/numerical and credit analysis skills are critical with the ability to interpret financial information and to design and use financial models.
• Computer literacy, conversant with Microsoft Office and spreadsheet packages including financial analysis and modelling modules.
• Coaching, mentoring & leadership skills.
• Ability to work to deadlines and under time pressure.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Extensive years of relevant industry experience from an investment or commercial bank, private equity firm, asset management firm, or auditing/financial consulting firm operating to international standards.
• Track record in developing and deploying new financial products in the financial sector (i.e. indirect/intermediated lending).
• Track record in agricultural financing projects and experience of executing transactions through the full project life cycle.

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, 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).