AD, Regional Head SSA&SEMED

Purpose of Job:

The Associate Director, Regional Head SSA and SEMED (the “AD”) is, within the Funds Team (being part of the Equity Business Group), responsible for all aspects of the investment cycle (including origination, structuring, execution, implementation and monitoring) of fund investments made by the Bank in funds with an investment geography covering Sub-Saharan Africa (“SSA”) and the Southeastern Mediterranean (“SEMED”).  The AD is, in relation to such investments, also responsible for business/pipeline development, relationship management and policy dialogue. 

Externally, the AD is one of the Bank’s primary representatives with relevant fund managers, fellow-investors, government authorities and other stakeholders, while internally the AD is responsible for ensuring that such investments are executed, implemented and monitored in line with applicable procedures, policies and strategies of the Bank.  The AD contributes to setting the Funds Team’s strategy and targets and plays a critical role in meeting them.

The AD takes responsibility for effective leadership of direct reports and transaction teams (which may not always be made up of the AD’s direct reports).  The AD supervises junior banking staff, and provides adequate coaching, mentoring assistance and is responsible for their performance reviews and career progression.

Background:

The Funds Team is responsible for EBRD’s investments in funds.  It makes commitments to commercially operating and financial return driven private equity, venture capital, infrastructure and other funds with a real asset strategy that invest in the EBRD countries of operations (see https://www.ebrd.com/home/what-we-do/where-we-invest.html).  From 2025 onwards, this includes countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.  The Funds Team also monitors these fund investments post commitment and manages a growing portfolio of more than 150 funds.  The Funds Team operates like an institutional fund-of-funds manager or institutional fund investor.  EBRD is one of the largest fund investors in its historical investment geography. 

The Funds Team seeks to appoint a senior individual to become a member of the Funds Team to cover its activities in SEMED and Sub-Saharan Africa.  The position is based at EBRD’s Headquarters in London.  The flexibility to work partially remotely in accordance with EBRD's applicable policies and frequent business travel to Africa and elsewhere are part of the role. 

The AD is responsible for all aspects of the investment cycle, including origination, structuring, execution, implementation and monitoring of investments in sector agnostic strategies covering SSA and/or SEMED. The investment life-cycle involves several stages from origination to signing, followed by implementation and monitoring until liquidation.  The role of the AD involves leading on business origination, ensuring the effective implementation and monitoring of the AD’s portfolio in line with the Bank’s operational objectives.  The AD leads more junior colleagues to ensure efficient processing of deal flow and portfolio monitoring.  The AD builds and maintains relationships with internal and external stakeholders in relation to business development, execution, implementation and monitoring, policy dialogue, and donor funding, as applicable.  Building capacity of junior colleagues through coaching and mentoring is an integral part of the AD role, as is taking responsibility for the Funds Team’s image and operational effectiveness under the guidance of the Team Director.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

Coordination of Fund Investment Activities in SSA and SEMED

•            Be the go-to knowledge base in relation to fund investments in SSA and SEMED.

•            Coordinate the Funds Team’s activities in SSA and SEMED, irrespective of whether under direct responsibility of the AD (sector agnostic funds) or of that of the ADs responsible for another strategy (such as VC or Real Assets/Infrastructure). 

•            Maintain close relationship with EBRD’s offices in SSA and SEMED. 

Structuring and Execution

•            Lead and oversee the structuring, negotiation (including review of legal documentation) and execution of transactions, working with fund managers, external counsel, fellow DFIs/MDBs and other investors, consultants and internal units as applicable, taking responsibility for all aspects of the investment cycle work and ensuring that all transaction risks are properly identified and articulated;

•            Manage the resources and the workload of the transaction teams under the AD’s supervision;

•            Oversee the due diligence process ensuring it meets the Bank’s standards;

•            Ensure that all transactions under the AD’s supervision are completed within the specified time frames to a high standard (including all internal memoranda and Board reports) and in line with the policies, procedures and objectives of the Bank.

Portfolio Monitoring

•            Assume overall responsibility for the effective monitoring of all investments within the AD’s responsibility, including the resolution of amendments, waivers and consents.

•            Take the lead in maintaining or supervise the management of relationships with fund managers, fellow investors, etc.;

•            Actively manage or supervise the resolution of any monitoring issues;

•            Represent the Bank on Limited Partner Advisory Committees and at investor events.

Business Development

•            Take a proactive role in marketing and business development efforts in the relevant area of responsibility to build strong and reputable market contacts;

•            Represent and promote the Bank through developing key relationships with senior level counterparts, attend industry events, conferences, meetings with fund managers, government authorities, investors, organisations, donors and business communities;

•            Supervise the screening of the investment proposal flow, liaise with other colleagues and teams within the Bank in order to identify sound and executable investments that meet the requirements of the Bank’s mandate.

Staff Management

•            Recruit, supervise, coach and guide junior bankers, (or provide active support) and involve them in all aspects of the investment cycle, ensure adequate quality of work and appropriate workload distribution amongst the transaction 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 so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times.

Policy Dialogue

•            In cooperation with relevant units within the Bank, contribute to the Bank’s policy dialogue efforts in order to achieve the objectives defined in the relevant Country/Sector Strategy or Policy or Initiative.

Qualifications & Skills / Experience & Knowledge:

Qualifications and Skills:

•            (i) Master’s degree or (ii) Bachelor's degree together with relevant professional experience and/or additional professional qualification such as CFA.

•            At least ten years of fund investment and fund manager selection experience with a solid investment track record, ideally in Africa.

•            Gravitas and representation skills.

•            Relationship management and negotiation skills.

•            Excellent judgement of personalities, ability to identify key risks and soft risk factors.

•            Strong quantitative/numerical skills to interpret financial information.

•            Stakeholder management skills.

•            Coaching, mentoring & leadership skills.

•            Ability to work to deadlines and under time pressure.

•            Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

•            Good command of the French language is an advantage.

Experience & Knowledge:

•            Extensive experience of fund selection and investment experience from an institutional investor, fund-of-funds or multilateral/national financial institution in such capacity. 

•            Proven investment track record. 

•            Network of fund manager relationships on the African continent.

•            Proven ability to manage relationships at a senior level and effective guidance and supervision of transaction teams.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About 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.  

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment. 

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. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively.
• A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness. 
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do. 
• A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits. 

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  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, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.   

Please note, that due to the high volume of applications received, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted (for further consideration).