Director, Information and Communications Technologies recruitment
Role Overview
The Director will have overall responsibility for the Bank's Information Communications Technologies (ICT) operations. He/she will report to the Managing Director responsible for Industry, Commerce and Agribusiness Business Group (ICA).
It is expected that the Director will have a high commitment to the Bank's mandate and institutional goals combined with the ability to create an environment conducive to technical excellence and a consistent approach towards staff, clients and shareholders.
The ICT team has recently undergone a period of consolidation to enable the business to further develop and grow in line with the Bank's approach to the knowledge economy via direct investments in the ICT sector, while maintaining a focus on its core strategic base of ICT infrastructure (networks). The Director will be responsible for delivering the team's objectives by (i) engaging with the private and public sectors in the continued development of ICT infrastructure and high-speed broadband networks, and (ii) widening the team's support for the ICT manufacturing and services sub-sectors to enhance innovation within the industry, such as IT service providers, IT equipment and systems producers, communication equipment and systems producers, software publishers, content providers, Internet firms, and incubators/accelerators. The team will also play an important role, together with the Equity Funds team, in looking for ways to improve the venture capital market in the Bank's countries of operations to finance early and growth stage innovative ICT companies.
The ICT team, led by the Director, will be a key driver in seeking and developing new value propositions to raise the level of awareness of, and investment in the knowledge economy and innovation in a broad sense, both internally within the Bank and externally across the Bank's countries of operations. This will include working with member countries to identify opportunities within their innovation strategies; developing new areas of competence in identifying ICT solutions to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the Bank's clients in all sectors; facilitating dialogue between the private sector, research and development sector and academic institutes and government regulators and authorities.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
- Effectively manage ICT team resources, staff and budget in order to achieve the objectives and targets set out in the annual business plan.
- Propose for approval by the Managing Director, ICA, the strategic direction and operational goals (incl. annual business plan and budget) for the Bank in the ICT sector, taking into account the Bank's multi-pronged approach to the knowledge economy, in each of its countries of operations.
- Assume primary responsibility for the origination, execution and implementation of ICT investment projects in the Bank's countries of operation, ensuring the highest standards of quality of financial analysis, transaction structuring and implementation of projects, adhering to the EBRD operational principles and to further the EBRD's transition mandate.
- Assume responsibility for market analysis in the ICT sectors and for product development and innovation in response to market requirements.
- Review and approve projects and project documentation for examination and approval by the Bank's Operations Committee and the Board. Ensure the quality and thoroughness of inter-departmental consultation on such projects prior to Committee and Board review and of their presentation.
- Actively develop and manage relationships with clients, private investors, operators; local, regional and central/federal government authorities and regulators, as well as with senior officials of national and multi-lateral institutions. Working with Legal transition team in the Office of General Counsel to ensure telecommunications regulatory reform efforts are aligned with the team's operational priorities.
- Represent the Bank at relevant conferences and assume functions such as Board and Supervisory Board membership on investee companies' boards. Exploring opportunities for the Bank to host or co-host events/forums to bring together private sector, academia/research institutes and public sector entities within ICT community.
- Liaise with the Directors of country teams and Heads of Resident Offices in ICT project development and implementation, ensuring an optimal use of Bank's resources, and contribute to the preparation of country strategies.
- Manage the existing portfolio of loans and investments and, in consultation with the Managing Director, plan future commitments. Actively manage outstanding commitments with a view of building and protecting revenue earning assets. Prepare recommendations for the appropriate committee on equity exits and on loan conversion, acceleration and cancellations.
- Ensure internal compliance with the Bank's integrity procedures.
- Within the matrix framework, lead the team, ensuring that staff receive appropriate people management and direction (motivation, rewards, learning and coaching) and work jointly with the country heads when setting objectives and completing performance appraisals for HQ and RO based staff.
- Manage and supervise the work of bankers appointed to Boards promoting best standards of corporate governance, supervising the implementation of institutional development and business strategies.
Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications
- The successful candidate should have at least 12 years work experience at a major merchant/investment, commercial or private sector focused development bank. Experience in supervising financial, legal and technical due diligence work by external experts and consultants projects is required.
- The individual must be an experienced manager with at least 5 years of demonstrable successful managerial experience and proven leadership skills.
- High level of banking skills and demonstrable experience and expertise in structuring, negotiating and monitoring investment transactions involving equity, loans and commercial co-financing.
- Extensive industry experience including exposure to project financing in the telecommunications/ICT infrastructure, ICT production (IT systems, software) and ICT services (IT services, Internet firms) sectors.
- Experience in risk analysis, preferably in emerging or transition markets, is essential.
- A very good team player with demonstrable strong communication, coaching and interpersonal skills.
- Very good written and oral communication skills in English.
- Degree from a leading university in the country of education.
Competencies and Personal Attributes
- The individual must be a business driver, with strong leadership skills.
- The ability to align different interests among different parties / shareholders and promote good business practices and corporate governance.
- Strong organisational and management skills. Ability to manage a number of varied and complex tasks, resilient attitude towards conflicting priorities and challenges.
- Excellent diplomatic skills are essential for communicating with a wide variety of people at high level both inside and outside the Bank.
- Ability to listen to the views of business partners and to be sensitive and understand cultural differences, transition success factors and the complexity of political constraints in the countries of operations.
- Ability to build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues in a multicultural environment.
- The ability to achieve outstanding performance through a people centred approach to management.
- High level of integrity and experience in operating in sensitive environment, taking actions consistent with the EBRD way of doing business, code of conduct and business ethics.
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.