Head of Office – Tunisia recruitment
Role Overview
The Head of Office for the Tunis Resident Office manages all aspects and activities of the Resident Office and takes a leading role in ensuring the Bank's business in Tunisia, a new country of operation. He/she will have the responsibility for articulating and implementing of the Bank country strategy together with the Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region (SEMED), developing the business mainly with private sector and strengthening its relationship with the Government, as well as managing the Resident Office and the local team. This is a Head of Office position and will report to the Managing Director SEMED.
This position will be based out of our London Headquarters for a transition period before a permanent transfer to Tunis.
Background:
The EBRD's mandate is to finance investment projects with the objective to foster the transition towards open market-oriented economies and to promote private and entrepreneurial initiative in its countries of operations. In its existing countries of operations across Central and Eastern Europe, and central Asia, the Bank committed EUR 9.1 billion in funding over 380 projects in 2011. The EBRD's shareholders are in the process of extending the Bank's mandate into Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia, countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region (SEMED). Annual business volume in the SEMED region is projected to reach EUR 2.5 billion in the medium term.
In Tunisia, as one of the four new EBRD countries of operations, the Bank has initiated technical assistance (TC) and project preparation activities and is building up its local team. So far five TC assignments representing EUR 0.76 million are in process. It is expected that the Bank will be able to start financing investment projects within the third quarter of 2012 using a special shareholders' fund, ahead of the start of regular financing operations in 2013.
The Bank has defined the strategic directions for its operations in Tunisia that address some of the key challenges the country is confronting and that draw on the Bank's experience in promoting the process of economic transition in central and eastern Europe. It will be able to use a broad set of financial products including equity, loans, and guarantees.
The following four strategic themes have been identified for the Bank's operations in Tunisia: 1) restructuring and strengthening the financial sector to support private sector development; 2) financing private enterprises, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, to boost the creation of high quality private sector jobs and develop a resilient and diverse economy; 3) supporting energy efficiency and the development of a sustainable energy sector, to improve energy security, sustainability and economic competitiveness; and 4) facilitating non-sovereign financing for infrastructure development to provide wider access to better quality urban and efficient public services.
The development of the country's infrastructure will require substantial grant co-financing to address affordability constraints. To ensure maximum leverage of grant and concessional financing EBRD endeavours to co-finance public infrastructure projects with other IFIs and donors such as the EU through its Neighbourhood Investment Fund (NIF).
Policy dialogue with the authorities on the creation of sound policy, regulatory, legal and general business environment is a crucial aspect of the Bank's work, aimed at supporting the development of a well-functioning market economy. The challenges are diverse and stimulating. The most important reward is the contribution to a successful economic and democratic transition in Tunisia.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
- Represent the Bank and develop key relationships with senior government officials, relevant local governments and state-owned-institutions and proactively lead an active policy dialogue with the Authorities.
- Develop and maintain contacts within the local business community; the international community including the EU, other IFIs and bi-lateral donors; NGOs; the general public; and the press.
- Assert and protect the special privileges, exemptions and immunities of the Bank, its personnel, premises, records and facilities.
- Work with the Managing Director to set the strategic direction for the EBRD in Tunisia. Prepare proposals for the country's strategy, annual business plan and budget and take responsibility for their implementation in addition to advising the Managing Director on relevant operational and strategic matters.
- Lead business development efforts through actively promoting the EBRD's activities and product range to potential private and public sector clients in Tunisia, working closely with the Bank's sector teams to promote and support projects in Tunisia, identify solutions where needed and tailor products to meet the needs of clients.
- Assume final responsibility for the overall origination, execution and implementation of projects in Tunisia ensuring high quality standards in terms of risk analysis, structuring, transition impact potential and post-signing monitoring, in line with the Bank's mandate and operational principles. Ensure high quality of Operations Committee and Board documents. Support project teams in client interactions as well as in internal interdepartmental consultations.
- Assume overall responsibility for the management of the Tunis Resident Office staff and other departments' staff and the management and optimisation of all sector bankers based in the country in liaison with sector team management within the matrix structure (including recruitment, compensation, performance management and professional development). Liaison with Human Resources, Administration and other relevant departments.
- Assume full responsibility for the management of the Tunis Resident Office and yearly office budget and cost-control.
Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications
- The succesful candidate should be an experienced Senior Banker with at least 10 years solid experience in a banking environment with direct experience in negotiating with private and public entities, preparing country strategies and structuring and closing transactions;
- Strong marketing and negotiating skills and demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials and top management of private/public enterprises;
- Very strong business and people management and leadership skills;
- Strong strategic capability;
- Strong organisational skills;
- Ability to structure private/public sector deals and to understand key issues related to infrastructure projects including privatization of public utilities and sector reform;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact and diplomacy;
- Fluency in oral and written English and French is essential, and also good writing skills;
- Computer literacy;
- Good relevant degree from a leading university.
Competencies and Personal Attributes
- Ability to manage, motivate and develop RO staff;
- Ability to work well under pressure and capacity for hard work;
- Problem solver with sound business judgement;
- Ready to deal with a challenging working environment;
- Reliable and flexible with a professional attitude;
- Ability to communicate at senior levels;
- Interest in the region and cultural sensitivity.
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.