Agribusiness/TAM Coordinator, SEMED (short-term contract) recruitment
Role Overview
In the past months, the Bank has acquired knowledge of the countries in the southern and eastern Mediterranean region (SEMED), by meeting with government officials, banks and businesses to assess potential areas of activity. It has also established strong coordination and cooperation with recipient countries and with multilateral development banks (MDB) active in the region.
Technical cooperation (TC) together with the business management consultancy offered by the EBRD's TurnAround Management (TAM) Programme will play the key role in the preparation of future investments in the new region. With the EBRD's capacity to invest €2.5 billion a year across the SEMED region, TC projects will lay the ground for the second phase of the Bank's operations, which will use Special Funds for investments, and the third phase, which will see the Bank start to invest its capital resources. Consultations and cooperation on the ground with prospective countries of operations and other MDBs will continue as the EBRD prepares for the start of investments.
The Bank's Agribusiness Team and the TurnAround Management Programme (TAM) are launching the provision of technical assistance instruments in the agribusiness sector, which will be focused on investment project preparation to enable the potential clients to benefit from improvements in technological know-how, management practices and strong corporate governance standards. The joint initiative will focus on delivering specific advice to large agribusiness companies that may potentially become the Bank's clients. TAM experience in delivering industry-specific management expertise will be particularly valuable to the Bank's investment operations, as it will ensure the introduction of international best practice to potential EBRD clients by engaging highly experienced international senior executives with hands on experience in agribusiness, as well as industry experts as advisors, working directly with the management of assisted companies. The TC Coordinator will be providing support to the Agribusiness and TAM teams in implementation of the joint initiative in the SEMED region. The role will be based in London and will have a matrix reporting line to the Director, Agribusiness and the Manager, TAM Programme. The position is offered on a short-term contract basis (up to 23 months).
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
Project identification and monitoring
- Assisting the team in identifying and screening for potential projects;
- Establishing the Project Work Plan for TAM/Agribusiness projects in close collaboration with the Agribusiness team, considering investment needs;
- Administering a "management questionnaire" at the start and end of the project, to track changes in management performance,
- Monitoring the progress of individual projects and regular associated reporting to the donor, as well as TAM and Agribusiness management in London;
- Liaising with companies for follow-up evaluations one year after completion
- Monitoring financial performance of individual TAM projects;
Selection and monitoring of consultants/advisors
- Carrying out the selection of the Advisors and/or Specialists for the projects, in accordance to the company's needs, monitor their performance to ensure appropriate level of service is provided throughout the project;
- Receiving, reviewing and distributing of TAM advisor visit reports/minutes, as well as the final project "hand-book" to the company;
- Ensuring that the projects are carried out in a timely manner
Marketing
- Organizing relevant visibility activities in conjunction with the TAM/Agribusiness teams and TAM BAS representatives in the country/region.
Administration
- Acting as the first point of contact and liaison for the companies participating in the TC programme, donors and EBRD;
- Receiving, reviewing and forwarding of consultants' invoices;
- Putting in place necessary logistical arrangements for visits from the teams based at HQ; assisting with consultants' travel arrangements and logistical support.
Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications
- Strong academic background with relevant degree from a leading university in the country of education (business administration, international relations, economics or finance);
- Minimum 5+ years of private-sector experience gained within finance, business development, consultancy or entrepreneurship;
- Knowledge of EC funded programmes and requirements would be an asset;
- Knowledge of with basic business and accounting concepts;
- Proven, strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data;
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the EBRD mandate;
- Experience in the field of agribusiness would be an asset;
- Computer literate: Windows XP; excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel; Outlook; Word; ability to learn new systems quickly;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic. Fluency in French would be an asset.
Competencies and Personal Attributes
- Communication Skills: the ability to communicate appropriate, concise and accurate information in written and verbal formats, to the right audience at the right time;
- Concern for Accuracy and Detail Orientated: the capacity to ensure and maintain a high degree of accuracy and quality in work delivered during pressure periods;
- Problem Solving: judgement and initiative in decision making process. Ability to tackle issues and problems in a logical, step-by-step way and propose practical and realistic solutions to address them;
- Planning and Organising: operating independently and taking responsibility for decisions within own area. Effectively manage a high volume of more tasks autonomously and using initiative to assist the decision-making process;
- Team working: building effective communication and relationships both within and outside the team. Sharing knowledge, information and best practices with others;
- Customer Focus: the ability to listen to the views of all stakeholders, to be sensitive and understand cultural differences, transition success factors and the complexity of political constraints; provide optimal solutions and manage expectations;
- Results Orientated: following up and following through to ensure goals are achieved and exceeded. Striving to improve the ways things are done.
Note: This job description is not limited to the responsibilities listed and the incumbent may be requested to perform other relevant duties as required by business needs.