Principal Banker

Background

The Principal Banker is competent in undertaking all tasks related to, and understands all aspects of, project development and implementation, including origination, structuring, execution, implementation and monitoring, for all types of investment instruments offered by the Bank. In their role as an operation leader, the Principal Banker is responsible for effective leadership of their project team(s), supervision of junior banking staff, and providing coaching and mentoring. The role also includes elements of business and pipeline development, client management, and policy dialogue.

The project life cycle involves stages from origination to signing, followed by implementation and monitoring until full completion and repayment or exit. The Principal Banker contributes to the structuring, implementation and monitoring of debt and equity transactions, supervises junior colleagues to ensure efficient deal flow processing and portfolio monitoring, builds and maintains relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and is given a substantial degree of independence to progressively take on overall responsibility for increasingly complex transactions.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities 1. Structuring and Execution

• Lead structuring, negotiation (including review of legal documentation) and the execution of transactions, working with clients, authorities, consultants and internal units.
• Manage the resources and workload of the project teams under their supervision.
• Oversee the project due diligence process to ensure it meets the Bank's standards.
• Ensure quality and appropriateness of technical cooperation assistance components that support investments or contribute to policy dialogue initiatives.
• Ensure that all transactions within their responsibility 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.

2. Portfolio Monitoring, Value Creation and Reporting

• Take overall responsibility for the effective monitoring of all projects within their responsibility, including verifying the quality of regular monitoring reports, leading client relationship management, and actively managing the resolution of any implementation/monitoring issues in cooperation with relevant Portfolio Managers; manage and supervise junior bankers who assist in portfolio monitoring.
• Supervise implementation and monitoring of, and reporting on, relevant technical cooperation assignments to ensure compliance with donor reporting requirements and operational objectives, and that all reports are of a high quality.
• Take responsibility for ensuring timely notification of any critical portfolio issues to the relevant Portfolio Manager and/or Management, ensuring availability of adequate data and information to support timely decision making.
• In cooperation with relevant units within the Bank (e.g., Policy VP, OCE) and banking country teams, contribute to policy dialogue in a leading role at the project level or as a supporting function at the national level.
• Assist in providing necessary support, including relevant information or documentation or meeting participation, toward efforts to procure grants and technical cooperation funds to complement investment projects or required as part of policy dialogue efforts.

4. Business Development

• Assist with marketing and business development efforts in the relevant sector and countries to build reputable market contacts, develop a broad deal flow and cross sell the Bank's competencies.
• Assist with the screening of project proposals generated through business development, liaising with colleagues and teams within the Bank to identify sound and executable investments that meet the Bank's mandate.
• Assist in recruiting, training, coaching and mentoring junior bankers in coordination with the team Director and Associate Directors, involving them in all aspects of the project cycle and ensuring adequate quality of project work and workload distribution among the project team members; contribute to their professional development.
• Develop productive relationships within the organisation to work effectively in a country/sector matrix structure and in a multi cultural working environment.
• Be directly accountable for the engagement and overall management of the team, including recruitment, compensation, performance management, coaching and development. Where matrix reporting is in place, work jointly with the country counterpart to set objectives and complete performance appraisals for staff.
• Champion and 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.

Qualifications & Skills

• 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 with the ability to interpret financial information and design and use financial models.
• Credit analysis skills, with the ability to interpret accounts and understand local and international accounting principles and credit analysis practice.
• Computer literacy, conversant with Microsoft Office and spreadsheet packages including financial analysis and modelling modules.
• Excellent understanding of relevant systems and processes.
• Coaching, mentoring and leadership skills.
• Relationship management and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work to deadlines and under time pressure.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Good command of the local/country language is an advantage.

Experience & Knowledge

• Significant 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; strong familiarity with project finance structures and direct equity investments.
• Relevant sectorial experience in renewable energy and energy infrastructure; relevant geographical experience in the Middle East and Africa; good understanding of sectoral and regional dynamics and trends.
• Practical experience of participating in and leading complex transactions through the full project life cycle.

EEO Statement

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.