Principal for Advice for Small Businesses (ASB)

Job Posting Organization:
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an international financial institution established in 1991 to support the development of market economies and promote private and entrepreneurial initiatives in countries transitioning to market economies. The EBRD operates in over 30 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with a mission to foster the transition to open market-oriented economies and to promote private sector development. The organization employs thousands of professionals and has a diverse workforce that reflects the regions it serves. EBRD's commitment to sustainability, inclusiveness, and innovation is central to its operations, and it actively engages with various stakeholders to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Principal for Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) will play a crucial role in managing ASB activities within Tunisia, focusing on a small operational scope or leading specific subsets of ASB initiatives. This position involves overseeing the development and implementation of the country’s annual business plan, ensuring quality assurance in the delivery of ASB projects, and managing a small team. The Principal will be responsible for fostering a productive work environment that encourages innovation and aligns with the Bank’s strategic priorities, such as digitalization and green initiatives. The role requires maintaining constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including local businesses, financial institutions, and government entities, to enhance the impact of ASB activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal will be accountable for several key responsibilities, including:

• Contributing to the development of the annual operational plan for the Small Business Initiative (SBI), setting operational targets, and innovative initiatives.
• Ensuring the delivery of ASB activities aligns with the Bank’s policies and compliance standards.
• Acting as a lead reference for the overall team in the region for relevant ASB activities.
• Engaging in business development to increase outreach to quality clients and generate a pipeline for banking.
• Coordinating regular analysis of the ASB portfolio to identify follow-up support and new initiatives.
• Managing the implementation of EBRD’s priority agenda, including digital, green, and inclusion initiatives.
• Overseeing the donor-funded budget for the country, ensuring efficient and transparent management of funds.
• Qualifying and managing local consultants and international experts in accordance with internal policies.
• Implementing visibility activities to raise awareness of advisory work and reach prospective clients. 1
• Coordinating relations with diverse stakeholders, including government institutions and business organizations. 1
• Supporting effective management of donor funds through regular reporting and audits. 1
• Managing the local team, including recruitment, performance management, and development, ensuring a healthy and respectful working environment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a BA/MA from a recognized program in international development, finance, economics, or business, or equivalent work experience. Relevant professional experience is essential, preferably from commercial management consultancy, corporates, donor organizations, or international financial institutions. Candidates should have knowledge of the local business environment, particularly in relation to SMEs and consultancy markets, and expertise in at least one of the SME F&D Priority Areas such as ESG, sustainable supply chains, or digitalization. Familiarity with donor-funded work and experience in managing program budgets is desirable. Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills are also required, along with the ability to manage diverse stakeholder relationships effectively.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a BA or MA degree from a recognized institution in fields such as international development, finance, economics, or business. Candidates should also have equivalent work experience that demonstrates their capability to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.

Experience:
The position requires relevant professional experience, ideally gained in commercial management consultancy, corporate environments, donor organizations, or international financial institutions. Candidates should have a solid understanding of the local and regional business environment, particularly concerning SMEs, and possess expertise in at least one of the SME F&D Priority Areas. Experience in managing teams within complex organizational structures and familiarity with donor-funded projects is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English and the local language(s) is mandatory, both written and verbal. Strong writing skills in English and local languages are necessary, along with the ability to effectively communicate and present ideas to diverse audiences. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term contract lasting for 2 years. The role is based in Tunis, Tunisia, and may require extensive travel within the country and internationally. The EBRD promotes a hybrid workplace that emphasizes flexibility, trust, and connectedness, and it offers a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits to its employees. The organization values diversity and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of their background.