Officer, Advice for Small Business SB

Purpose of Job Under the supervision of Principal Manager/ Regional Principal Manager the Officer is primarily responsible for support services to facilitate the local delivery of ASB projects, assisting the Principal Manager/Regional Principal Manager in the implementation of the ASB project flow, and developing and maintaining client and consultant databases in line with strategic priorities of the Bank and SME Finance and Development (“SME F&D”) (e.g. synergy with banking, integrated products, green, digital, inclusion, sustainable supply chain financing). The Officer must ensure comprehensive and accurate system records of projects and their status, as well as non-project activities, and maintain databases of clients and consultants. In addition, the Officer is responsible for managing local ASB bank accounts and petty cash, facilitating payments, and posting financial transactions into core ASB systems, working closely with HQ SME F&D Finance and Administration team on related matters. The role will also deal extensively with clients on general financial matters related to ASB projects for SMEs. Responsibilities may also include involvement in delivery of market and sector development activities, digital outreach, cooperation with relevant partners and stakeholders, as well as input for visibility activities.

Background 

ASB helps small and medium-sized businesses to grow and become genuine catalysts for their local economies by providing access to local and international experts. It is a core offering of the EBRD to provide clients with access to ‘know how’ in order to thrive within their economies and beyond. ASB will help nourish clients as market leaders with an ultimate goal for many of them to be considered for financing directly by the Bank, as well as by EBRD’s partner banks and other local intermediaries. Through its work to improve the quality and availability of local consultancy services, ASB aims to leave behind a network of trained, experienced local consultants, and a thriving community of small and medium-sized businesses that are aware of the importance of business advice.

Advice is delivered mainly through complementary advisory products: e.g. tailored made advisory support (i.e. local consultancy, and industry expertise provided by international advisers to strengthen the overall management and operations of client business performance), trainings/workshops and digital outreach. Access to advice is provided directly to clients, in synergy with access to finance, directly or via EBRD’s partner banks, as well as in cooperation with relevant partner organisations.

Each ASB project is co-funded by donors channelled directly or through SBIF, including around 20 countries, the European Union, and the EBRD itself. ASB clients also make contributions to the cost, ensuring their full commitment. ASB rigorously monitors overall project cycle from the selection, to conception, implementation, completion and evaluation of the projects, in order to ensure the highest quality and maximum impact of its work. Active projects with clients are monitored at regular intervals, and one year after every project completion, ASB returns to the client to measure impact against set Key Performance Indicators and keep the record and provide reports and analysis of the impact.

Scale 

EBRD through its Small Business Initiative (SBI) supports SMEs in growing their businesses by providing access to finance and know-how. The SME Finance and Development Group (SME F&D) leads and coordinates the delivery of the SBI, as part of the Bank’s Client Services Group. The SBI comprises an integrated toolbox of a wide range of instruments and innovative products available to SMEs across five main pillars, Pillar 1: Financing through financial institutions Pillar 2: Co-financing with financial institutions Pillar 3: Direct financing for small businesses Pillar 4: Business advice Pillar 5: Policy dialogue.

Under Pillar 4, EBRD’s Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) deploys diverse advisory instruments to SMES in order to improve/transform their business performance to develop and grow, and raise awareness on relevant business related topics. ASB carries out more than 2,000 projects annually through tailored made advisory service connecting SMEs to consultants and international advisors for specific business advice, more then 10,000 through tailored made trainings and workshops, and reach tens of thousands of SMEs through reach out activities, with the focus on digital delivery. The cross-cutting focus of ASB is achieving synergy with banking including pipeline development and nourishing SMEs for investment readiness, as well as providing pre- and post-investment support to the clients. ASB also provides consultants with the tools and skills to offer more professional services and expertise, and to develop local consultancy markets. In addition, the EBRD provides SMEs with sectorial expertise, knowledge and best practices. Activities also include capacity building and support for local institutions and awareness raising activities. Over 80% of projects are in alignment with the Bank’s Strategic Capital Framework 2021-25 priorities covering at least one of the green, digital or inclusion themes.

Key to SBI’s success is a sophisticated results framework able to measure the impact of all SBI operations across a variety of regions and measures, which is used for promotion of best practices and as lessons learned for on-going enhancement of value proposition.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities 

Under the supervision of Principal Manager/Regional Principal Manager the Officer will be responsible for:

• Assist with the sourcing, developing and monitoring of ASB projects with the focus on priority areas (e.g. digital, green, inclusion, innovation), drafting proposals and completion/evaluation reports, to ensure projects are properly implemented and documented.
• Evaluate potential projects against necessary selection criteria in order to put forward project proposals for consideration by ASB management ensuring that companies and consultants meet all necessary selection criteria in line with internal policy, quality and compliance standards.
• Develop and maintain the ASB local client and consultant databases to ensure accurate record-keeping and donor reporting.
• Organise and deliver visibility and market development activities, digital outreach for maximum visibility of ASB and donors as directed by the Principal Manager/Regional Principal Manager, to help ASB in its mission to support local companies and consultants.
• Manage communication coverage of the various events and relevant actions started by the programme.
• Monitor use of local ASB bank accounts to ensure that finances are used in accordance with relevant agreements, rules, and procedures.
• Prepare and submit for review accurate and timely Monthly Financial Reports (MFRs), as part of the process by which spending by local ASB offices is reflected in core EBRD systems.
• Keep adequate and well-organised documentation in support of all local payments, and facilitate VAT recovery according to local mechanisms, in line with EBRD's duties for prudent management of donor funds.
• Receive and review invoices from consultants and coordinate their timely submission so that service providers are paid on time and on completion of agreed deliverables.

Conduct other ad hoc financial and administrative tasks as defined by management to ensure team's objectives are met.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Education/Professional qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (Business, Economics, Finance or equivalent work experience)

Experience

• • Relevant experience in an administrative capacity, preferably gained from a large commercial organisation, financial institution, or donor organisation.
  • Relevant experience in terms of basic finance or accounting.
  • General knowledge of local business environment and consultancy market.

Skills

• Business / financial analytical skills, with the ability to interpret accounts, understanding of local accounting principles and practice of company financial analysis.
• Skills related to quantitative and numerical record-keeping and basic analysis.
• Experience with the SAP accounting system preferable, as well as the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Substantial mastering of social media advertising and digital communication tools.
• Effective communication, presentation and negotiation skills and ability to manage relations with clients, consultants, and other stakeholders.
• Strong writing skills: experience in writing advisory project proposals, terms of references or reports desirable.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Fluency in language of country of operations.
• 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.
• Ability to work independently and in diverse teams.
• Multi-tasking, self-initiative.
• Ability to meet deadlines.

Ability and willingness to travel within the country and internationally.  

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).