Managing Director, Southern and Eastern Mediterranean EBRD

Role Overview
The Managing Director (MD) for Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) is responsible for the formulation and delivery of the Bank’s strategy and business plan for this new region of operations within EBRD. This key leadership role will include the build up, motivation and development of what is expected to be a significant team over time. The role will also encompass extensive and broad-based policy dialogue. Based initially at London HQ, reassignment to the field location is a possibility. The MD will lead one of the eight business groups reporting to the First Vice President of the Bank as part of the senior management team. Working with fellow MDs and senior management across the Bank, s/he will be a key contributor to the implementation of the Bank’s overall mandate, involved in the formulation of the Bank’s strategy and business plan and ensuring efficient use of resources.

The MD SEMED will be responsible for the initiation of the Bank’s operations, in a region currently expected to initially comprise Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan. This will include the roll out of Cooperation Funds to provide technical assistance to prospective clients. It will also include the build-up of a pipeline of potential investment projects for financing via Special Funds pending the completion of the governance steps necessary for these countries to be recognised fully as ‘countries of operations’. The current business plans involve investments for 2013 from 500 million to 1 billion euros. Accordingly staffing and structuring an effective team will be an early priority. The role will also require the MD SEMED to establish and staff a network of local offices in line with the Bank’s approach to locating bankers close to its clients and business.

The Banking division of the EBRD operates under a matrix framework and the MD SEMED and his team will cooperate closely with his/her colleagues in the various sectors who will provide functional expertise to the country teams to be developed.

The Bank’s strategy in the new region is focussed around 6 operational themes –

• Private enterprise financing to boost private sector job creation;
• Agribusiness value chain modernisation to promote food security and rural employment;
• Financial sector modernisation to enhancing financial sector efficiency for economic growth;
• Diversification of financing sources for infrastructure to mobilise private sector investment for accelerated infrastructure development;
• Sustainable energy investment to provide clean energy sources and improve energy efficiency for energy security and economic competitiveness; and
• Decentralisation and municipal infrastructure development for better access and quality of urban services for the population.

In order to address each of these themes, in addition to TC funding, a wide range of instruments will be used across the agribusiness, manufacturing & services, ICT, equity funds, financial institutions, natural resources, infrastructure, power and energy sectors. Potential project funding will be available, for example, through micro financing and non bank financial institutions and other small project direct financing instruments for SMEs; for mid caps via direct debt and equity financing and through equity funds; for FI, bank equity and capital market instruments; for manufacturing and industry sustainable energy credit lines will be tools as well as direct industrial energy efficiency financing; in infra-structure sovereign-guaranteed co-financing, and expertise in PPPs. In addition, each of these themes will be reinforced through appropriate policy dialogue with key stakeholders in government, governmental institutions, the local authorities and businesses across the region.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

• Define, in consultation with external and internal stakeholders and in agreement with the First Vice-President, the strategic business direction of the Bank with respect to operations and transition impact objectives in Southern and Eastern Mediterranean.
• Develop and continuously manage the delivery of strategy encompassing all business areas of the SEMED BG. Coordinate and manage activities across the group according to strategic plans, monitoring accomplishments and outcomes and advising the First Vice-President on key strategic matters and developments.
• Ensure the origination, execution and implementation of investment projects and operations in SEMED in all sectors in line with the agreed BG strategy and annual business plans, fulfilling EBRD standards, operational principles and transition mandate.
• Lead product innovation and development across teams in the SEMED BG to anticipate/respond to market and transition requirements.
• Oversee the developing portfolio of loans and investments in the BG with a view to building and protecting revenue-earning assets. Guarantee and oversee the business group’s full compliance with the Bank's integrity procedures.
• Represent the Bank and support the First Vice-President in high-level business and institutional relationships with the business community, political leaders at central and local level as well as senior officials of multilateral institutions and other public or private bodies.
• Together with other senior members of Bank staff, lead policy dialogue with governments with respect to, for example, transition and investment climate issues.
• Coordinate and facilitate in a collegiate manner the integration between SEMED BG activities and the sector Business Groups to ensure optimal use of Bank’s resources and appropriate reflection of business-group goals in country strategies, in line with the matrix organisation structure.
• Oversee the allocation and management of the SEMED BG budget and resources.
• Lead, guide and coach staff and take primary responsibility for developing motivation and professionalism across the Business Group.

Essential Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• At least 15 years of relevant international experience, preferably in a major commercial, investment or development bank, with significant exposure to the SEMED region.
• Relevant academic background at post-graduate level or equivalent combination of academic and professional qualifications.
• High level banking skills, experience and expertise in developing, structuring, negotiating and monitoring investment transactions including equity, loans and commercial co-financing. .
• Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives with respect to areas/countries relevant to the role
• Experience and record of accomplishments in negotiating and managing complex multi-party operations.
• Relevant experience in leading and developing a large team, with a proven record of accomplishment in performance management.
• Preference will be given to candidates that speak Arabic and French.

Competencies & Personal Attributes

• Results orientation: Entrepreneurship and business drive, ability to generate and drive transactions throughout the project cycle, ability to generate new and complex products and to work creatively within the context of the Bank's mandate
• Strategic thinking: Ability to formulate effective strategies that are consistent with the competitive environment, taking into account business/policy issues and anticipating potential threats and opportunities in a medium term perspective
• Leadership: Ability to manage and develop staff within a complex organisation, to lead, guide and coach individuals and teams, including the ability to effectively manage remotely.
• Business Judgement: Ability to steer and manage complex, multi-faceted projects using business judgment, political/institutional sensitivity, diplomacy and dialogue
• RelationshipBuilding: Ability to develop, manage and facilitate business relationships across various external and internal networks in a sensitive, multicultural environment and to act as a team player in a collegiate fashion.
• Organisational Alignment: Is aligned with the needs, priorities and goals of the organisation and has the ability to align interests, actions and behaviours among different parties to these aims. Promotes sound business sound business and corporate governance practices.

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