Principal Manager, Advice for Small Businesses at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), established in 1991, is a multilateral development bank that promotes the transition to open market economies and supports private sector development in countries across Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Principal Manager, Advice for Small Businesses

Requisition ID: 35753
Location: Lagos, NG
Division: Banking Sector

Purpose of Job

• The Principal Manager (PM) is responsible for delivery of Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) activities in the country, including developing realistic and compelling annual business plans and leading the local team to implement them in line with the EBRD’s strategic priorities for SME development in the country. The PM takes responsibility for overseeing and managing the conception, implementation, completion and evaluation of advisory activities aligned with EBRD investment priorities, managing the project portfolio, driving the design and implementation of strategic initiatives such as non-financial services for financial industry counterparts, supply chain advisory and start-up support as well as visibility activities, alongside regular management of the finance and administration of the local Programme.
• The Principal Manager should maintain open and constructive relations both internally within the EBRD Resident Office and HQ and externally with the local business community, financial market players, donors and key private sector and government stakeholders. Importantly, the Principal Manager will personally champion, and role model the Bank’s ethics culture by ensuring the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in the team’s performance.

Background

• The EBRD 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 Bank’s SME offer as part of the EBRD Client Services Group. The SME offer comprises an integrated toolbox of a wide range of instruments and innovative products available to SMEs across three main impact pillars: Pillar I: Wide outreach to SMEs via advisory services coupled with intermediated SME finance products; Pillar II:
• Nourishing champions via financial and non-financial engagement with high growth potential SMEs; and Pillar III: engaging in SME-conducive eco-system improvements via policy dialogue. Advice for Small Businesses is delivered mainly through complementary advisory products: e.g. tailor made advisory support (i.e. local consultancy, and industry expertise provided by international advisers) as well as trainings/workshops and other knowledge products. Access to advice is provided directly to clients, via EBRD’s partner banks, as well as in cooperation with relevant partner organisations. Each ASB activity is co-funded by donors through bilateral or multi-donor accounts, including around 20 countries, the European Union, and the EBRD itself. SME clients also make a contribution to the cost, ensuring their full commitment. EBRD rigorously monitors the overall project cycle from selection, conception, implementation, completion to evaluation of the projects. The Principal Manager is responsible for the delivery of ASB operation and leadership of the local team. The PM ensures that all ASB operations are conducted in accordance with the highest quality standards and ASB internal control framework. The Principal Manager reports to the Regional Associate Director.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Regional Associate Director, the Principal Manager will lead the delivery of instruments, activities and any other delegated tasks under the Advice for Small Businesses Programme in line with strategic priorities of the Bank and the SME Finance and Development Business Group, and in coordination with relevant teams (e.g. Financial Institutions, Corporate sector, Policy teams).

Structuring and Execution

• Develop and oversee the implementation of the ASB annual operational plan including the objectives of EBRD’s SME offer for the country and setting operational targets, in close collaboration with the Regional Associate Director.
• Conceptualise and lead the implementation of business development activities, in collaboration with banking colleagues in view of increasing the outreach to quality clients and generating bankable project pipeline.
• Conceptualise and lead the implementation of innovation solutions and products for SME sub-segments, in close coordination with relevant SME F&D HQ teams.
• Identify and pursue potential clients who meet the qualifying criteria, contributing to ASB and banking business development.
• Engage with external stakeholders and partner organisations to explore SME development support needs and lead on relevant initiatives (e.g. partner financial institutions, government representatives, business associations, EBRD corporate clients other relevant entities with SME development mandate).

Portfolio Monitoring, Value Creation and Reporting

• Ensure maximum synergy of advisory and banking, such as under EBRD intermediated SME finance programmes, e.g. Women in Business or Youth in Business, we well as Risk Sharing Facilities, Supply Chain Financing or other dedicated financial or non-financial initiatives.
• Lead regular portfolio assessment to generate ideas for follow up support and nourishing clients for financing, as well as for new initiatives.
• Together with the Regional Associate Director, recruit, motivate, train and develop staff within agreed policies and practices to maintain an effective workplace capable of meeting its objectives.
• Contribute to the development of the EBRD country strategy or policy dialogue efforts in line with SME sector priorities in consultation with EBRD country management.
• Oversee and manage the donor funded budget for the country, including grant monitoring and operational disbursements via local bank accounts, to ensure the budget is managed efficiently, effectively and transparently.
• Be accountable to donors for the effective management of their funds, including through regular consultation, reporting, audits and evaluations, so as to always be able to verify that public funding has been used prudently, for the intended purpose, and with impact that justifies its expenditure. People Management
• Recruit, supervise, coach and guide members of the team, ensuring high quality of project work and appropriate workload distribution amongst the team members; contribute to their professional and competency development.
• Develop productive relationships within the organisation to able to work effectively in a country/sector matrix structure and in a multi-cultural working environment.
• Champion and role model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring adherence within the team(s) so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• BA /MA from a recognised programme in international development, economics or business and/or equivalent work experience
• People management (recruitment, mentoring, coaching) skills.
• Strong business / financial analytical skills, with the ability to interpret accounts, assess forecasts, understanding of local accounting principles and practice of company financial analysis.
• Effective communication, presentation and negotiation skills and ability to manage relations with SME clients, partner financial institutions, consultants and other stakeholders.
• Diplomatic skills to develop and maintain strong relationships with local stakeholders, including government officials and representatives of international organisations.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Fluency in English and local language(s), both written and verbal. Strong writing skills in English and local language(s).
• Strong writing skills, experience in writing proposals, concepts and reports desirable.
• Computer literate: excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel and Power Point, ability to learn new systems quickly.

Experience and Knowledge:

• Extensive relevant professional experience, preferably from commercial management consultancy, corporates, banks, or donor organisations. Financial industry experience is strongly desirable e.g bank lending, private equity or early stage investing.
• Strong leadership skills and experience in managing teams, including performance management.
• Good knowledge of and experience working in at least one of EBRD’s strategic SME priority areas (i.e. green economy, economic inclusion, sustainable supply chains, SME finance and digitalisation), as well as market trends in these areas
• Knowledge and understanding of business advisory services.
• Knowledge of local business environment and consultancy market.
• Knowledge of relevant stakeholders, SME business associations, financial sector players or support organizations.
• Knowledge of donor funded work and donor organisations is desirable.

General:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the EBRD mandate.
• 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.

Application Closing Date
24th July, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online