Regional Coordinator, TAMBAS, Western Balkans recruitment
Role Overview
The EBRD TAM/BAS Programme is an institutional capacity building programme focusing on supporting local private enterprises and their management. TAM/BAS supports transition through the TurnAround Management (TAM) and Business Advisory Services (BAS) Programmes, complementary programmes which develop management skills in local private enterprises. Both TAM and BAS work directly with individual enterprises, providing industry-specific advice. Areas of assistance include restructuring of the business, improving its products, reducing operating costs, advising on local and export markets, supporting implementation of EU and other regulatory standards and helping to develop business planning skills at management level. Over the 15 years from inception, the TAM/BAS Programmes have carried out over 12,500 projects in 30 countries, supporting enterprises with an aggregate annual turnover of €30 billion and 1.5 million employees, utilising over Euro162 million of Donor funding.
TurnAround Management (TAM) Programme - Since 1993, TAM has carried out over 1,850 restructuring projects in 30 countries. Of these, 82 per cent have been evaluated as "satisfactory" or better. These evaluations are based on overall results, such as improved management skills, increased productivity, turnover, business planning and improved understanding and capability in marketing and design. In 2011 the TAM Programme has undergone a substantial restructuring including recruitment of Team Coordinators and several Local Managers.
Business Advisory Services (BAS) Programme - BAS started operating in 1995 and has undertaken over 10,000 projects in 23 countries. Currently BAS operates in 21 countries from Croatia to Mongolia. Of the projects rated one year after completion, 93 per cent have been evaluated as being "successful" in helping to improve business performance and enhance competitiveness, by providing practical solutions to deal with issues which had been hindering business growth.
Under the supervision of TAM and BAS Managers and HRP Western Balkans, and in close cooperation with National Programme Managers and other Programme Coordinators support the Head of Regional Programme in overseeing and managing the Western Balkans regional TAM/BAS programmes, monitoring TAM and BAS operational activities; the preparation of funding proposals and timely and accurate reporting to donors, and the development and implementation of visibility and market development activities. The Regional Programme Coordinator will have a matrix reporting to the TAM and BAS Managers based in London and to the Head of Regional Programme (HRP), Western Balkans. The role will be based in London and will involve frequent travel and assignments to the countries of the region.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
Development and Monitoring of TAM and BAS Operations
- strengthening and development of the programme by assisting with market development activities and facilitation of collaboration with EBRD Financial Intermediary clients, local stakeholders and donors;
- review and identification of companies eligible for the programme, in line with EBRD and donor funding priorities;
- assisting in project start up process; review and analysis of reports and providing feedback to the programme management on identified successes and shortcomings;
- organising visibility activities related to donor funding, including workshops and seminars, developing case studies and replicable models;
- monitoring of implementation of market and sector development activities and where necessary recommend relevant evaluation procedures;
- drawing on the programme's presence in a country (priorities and lessons learned) provide input to the country strategies and TAM/BAS strategic and operational planning.
Funding Proposals and Donor Reporting
- negotiations and structuring of funding proposals and submissions for donor funding according to the established process, working closely with other relevant departments (i.e. OCU, TC Committee);
- monitoring and identifying changing EBRD and donor priorities in Western Balkans countries of operation and making recommendations to the programme management as to how TAM/BAS operations could adequately respond to such changes;
- preparation of customised reports to reflect the changing priorities of relevant internal and external stakeholders (governments, donors, EBRD, SMEs and local consultancies);
- analysing and identifying gaps in market development initiatives and/or project opportunities and making suggestions as to how these could be addressed by relevant donor funds.
Information Dissemination Training Activities
- developing concepts and implementation process for information dissemination seminars based on projects and initiatives successfully executed within the programme framework;
- making proposals on programming initiatives for market development activities.
Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications
- Strong academic background with relevant degree from a leading university in the country of education (business administration, economics or finance);
- Minimum of 5 years relevant experience (including knowledge of donor fund mobilisation) gained within an IFI / international donor organisation, consultancy or international development support programme;
- Knowledge and understanding of the EBRD mandate;
- Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Fluency in one or several regional languages would be an advantage;
- Proven strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data;
- Computer literate: Windows XP; excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel; Outlook; Word; Knowledge of SAP accounting system, TCS and Microsoft Access desirable.
Competencies and Personal Attributes
- Problem Solving - regularly exercises sound judgement and initiative in decision making process. Ability to learn quickly, tackle issues and problems in a logical, step-by-step way and proposes practical and realistic solutions to address them;
- Planning and Organising - plans how to deal with peaks and troughs in workload, operating independently and takes responsibility for decisions within own area. Effectively manage a high volume of more complex tasks autonomously and uses initiative to assist the decision making process;
- Teamwork - the ability to operate sensitively in multicultural environments and build effective communication and working relationships with clients and colleagues; Shares knowledge, information and best practices with others. Proactively encourages other team members to contribute, offering support and guidance to more junior members;
- 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 in the countries of operations; provide optimal solutions and manage expectations;
- Results Orientated - follows up and follows through to ensure goals are achieved and exceeded, strives to improve the ways things are done;
- 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.
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.