Purpose of Job

The Associate Banker, Programme Coordinator (PC) contributes to all phases of the project cycle, including project origination, structuring, execution, implementation and monitoring. The Associate Banker, Programme Coordinator will take responsibility for those tasks assigned to them by the operation leader, which may include undertaking comprehensive due diligence, including financial, market, integrity and EBRD policy compliance, as well as effective post-signing implementation and monitoring including coordinating delivery of donor funded components and management of all stakeholders involved in the broader implementation of the project(s). The job holder carries out these tasks as part of a project team under the guidance of an operation leader or under the supervision/guidance of more senior bankers or the team Director.

The Associate Banker, Programme Coordinator (PC) will support and lead the overall delivery of the programme financed by SECO by liaising with relevant implementation partners, coordinating activities between the different consultants and beneficiaries under the close cooperation of the Operation Leader (OL). If necessary, the Programme Coordinator will also be able to flag implementation issues through refined harmonization with the OL to be addressed. In addition, the Programme Coordinator will have a key role in ensuring Project’s benchmarks, outcomes and impacts are achieved by supporting implementation, monitoring consultant and unlock potential bottlenecks. As an EBRD staff, the PC will be embedded in the Sustainable Infrastructure Group (SIG) with corresponding line management. This is to accommodate the PC’s access to all EBRD systems, resources and support units. In addition, this accommodates existing organisation structure and established roles, ensuring efficient and effective managing. The Matrix manager, which is the OL of the investment project and based in Skopje will be the main counterpart for the PC in relation to subject matters and relationship with clients and other local stakeholders. Both, the line manager and matrix manager will be able to assign tasks in relation to the Project to the PC, are responsible for job training and familiarisation with the Project and will support in addressing implementation challenges. The PC will also support overall monitoring of the SECO funded Project components and help to synchronise various works streams with regional stakeholders and Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning in close collaboration with Skopje Residents Office (RO) implementation team working on the project. Due to the low capacity in the region, it is expected that the PC will closely work with the selected Consultancy team(s) and contractor(s) which will deliver the SECO funded activities. In addition, the PC will monitor risks which will impact the delivery of the technical cooperation (TC) and investment project under the guidance of the Bank OL and work actively on mitigation actions if needed.

The PC will work closely with bankers, procurement & Implementation advisers and sector experts, involved in the implementation to support effective preparation, implementation, reporting and monitoring donor-funded technical cooperation (TC) and capita SECO funded grant activity, as well as other project implementation-related tasks.

Given that the Project include post-signing TCs and capital grants, the implementation of these are closely linked with loan implementation and monitoring. In recognition of this close connection, the PC will also support implementation and monitoring of CAPEX investment. The PC will ensure that the Project is prepared, implemented, and monitored in line with the Bank’s mandate, donor requirements and meet relevant indicators.

Subject to the Project’s progress of the PC may be assigned other task in relation to the Project to support overall delivery. Activities concerning the SWM Project should be always prioritised, before other (potential) SECO funded projects and other EBRD tasks.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Work as a project team member on transactions, contributing to all aspects of project structuring and execution, including working with client counterparts, consultants and other parties to progress the project.
• Be the primary driver of the scope and quality of project due diligence, including financial, market, integrity and EBRD policy compliance.
• Prepare internal project documentation, including approval project memoranda, financial models, draft term sheets, presentations, etc. as and when required.
• Take responsibility, as TC operation leader, to design and process technical co-operation assistance, ensuring that TC processing and approval fits with the approval schedule of any related investment project or the related policy dialogue initiative.
• Ensure that all tasks are completed within the specified time frames to a high standard and in line with the policies, procedures, and objectives of the Bank
• Take responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of all projects to which the Associate Banker is assigned, including:
  • compliance with project agreements and Bank procedures related to disbursement; monitoring of progress of the project implementation and financial performance of the client.
  • assessing evolving risk factors and monitoring and ensuring covenant compliance set out in the respective financing agreements.
  • Working closely with the Client to ensure that EBRD’s Environmental and Social Policy and its Performance Requirements as well as relevant gender initiatives required by the Bank (through the Bank’s related Policies) and donors are being adhered to. Working with the Client to ensure project compliance with the pre-agreed Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs). Ensure regular timely and satisfactory annual E&S reporting to the Bank.
• Prepare timely and comprehensive monitoring reports and include recommendations for corrective actions where required and ensure these proposed corrective actions and recommendations are brought to the attention of more senior team members; Monitoring and reporting of implementation will include amongst other things: the overall performance of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and site staff, including consultants, contractors, suppliers and other parties involved in the implementation of the investments – and comment on compliance with their respective obligations and duties; and the implementation arrangements including the PIU organisation, staffing, project management systems, arrangements for construction, and contract management.
• As TC operation leader, ensure effective implementation and monitoring of institutional reform and development components supported by the TC assignments to ensure their compliance with donor reporting requirements, operational objectives and that all reports are of a high quality; Oversee the effective implementation and monitoring of the grant funded components of project in view of achievement of the outcomes and impacts including communication with the Client, monitoring of grant usage ensuring that activities are implemented in full compliance with donor requirements; assist with local outreach and stakeholder engagement if required, support donor monitoring, evaluation and audits as required.
• Coordinate the activities of all the international and local consulting firms involved under project related TCs for implementation, capacity building, awareness raising and policy dialogue. The PC will maintain continuous dialogue with these consultants and will, inter alia:
  • Support provision of necessary documentation and other assistance, in order that they may meet the objectives of their assignments;
  • Ensure appropriate timings for the components of the TC assignments in relation to each other to support effective implementation of the Project;
• Ensure that the PIU develops and maintains productive interactions with the consultants in project implementation and capacity building area.
• As a project team member perform all such tasks as may be assigned by the operation leader and provide constructive advice, guidance, and supervision to more junior members of the project team. Work independently as a project team member on the Project, contributing to critical aspects of the project lifecycle to support its implementation, particularly when challenges arise
• Be alert to any emerging problems, of a contractual, technical, or financial nature, which have the potential to jeopardise the achievement of the project objectives and advise on timely appropriate corrective action. If necessary, assist in negotiations to achieve the required corrective action.
• The responsibilities of the Associate Banker, Programme Coordinator are designed to allow for the development of transaction expertise and expansion of responsibilities, leading to assuming the role of an operation leader on standard, non-complex transactions. In such cases, the PC’s accountabilities and responsibilities would be increased to undertake a role of an operation leader under the supervision/guidance of more senior bankers or the Team Director.

Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge

The PC will be a local hire, who will provide the added value of local language speaking resource with existing local contacts and knowledge that would enhance the team’s position in building relationships and implementing the Projects.

• Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree preferred or equivalent experience in the areas of expertise.
• Professional qualification such as ACA, CFA, ACCA, or CIMA desirable.
• Strong quantitative/numerical skills are critical with the ability to interpret financial information and to design and use financial models.
• Credit analysis skills, with the ability to interpret accounts, understanding local and international accounting principles and practice of credit analysis.
• Computer literacy, conversant with Microsoft Office and spread sheet packages including financial analysis and modelling modules.
• Excellent understanding of relevant systems and processes.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member and to deadlines and under time pressure.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Good command over the local/country language is an advantage.
• Capability for self-organisation and managing complex projects
• Relevant financial industry experience from an investment or commercial bank, private equity firm, asset management firm, or auditing/financial consulting firm operating to international standards.
• Practical experience of participating in transactions through the full project life cycle.
• Extensive relevant experience of work related to infrastructure and environmental technical cooperation and investment project implementation
• Work experience in North Macedonia or Western Balkan Region will be an advantage
• Work independently and being able to communicate and negotiate with senior officials including government representatives
• Professional and personal capacity to deal with entities in emerging markets where legal and regulatory framework are often weak and financial information scarce.
• Thorough understanding of the general technical cooperation and project cycle,
• Understanding of the strategic objectives of the international and bilateral funding agencies, active in the concerned regions, especially related to poverty reduction, environmental sustainability and gender equality.
• Experience in the management of technical assistance assignment, knowledge in policy dialogue activities and corporate and institutional development is considered an advantage.
• Experience in awareness raising activities and participatory approaches.

What is it like to work at the EBRD?

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people’s lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in.

The EBRD environment provides you with:

• Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in;
• A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity;
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do.

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does. A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.