Requisition ID 34278 Office Country Uzbekistan Office City Tashkent Division Policy and Partnerships Contract Type Short Term Contract Length 23 months Posting End Date 21/02/2024
Purpose of Job
The Associate Economist for SME Policy in Central Asia & Mongolia is a member of the Competitiveness team in CGPA, which supports EBRDโs activities to advance policy objectives in the Industry, Commerce and Agriculture (ICA) sectors, including SME support policies, and of the Bankโs Small Business Initiative (SBI). The Associate Economist also works very closely with the Regional Lead Economist for Central Asia & Mongolia in the Country Economics, Strategy and Policy (CESP) team. CESP provides macroeconomic updates, analytical reports on structural reforms in EBRDโs countries of operation, and conducts cross-cutting policy dialogue.
The role focuses on the delivery of policy dialogue activities to support SME development and improve public service delivery for SMEs, in conjunction with EBRD investments in the area. Examples of SME policy activities include the improvement of the institutional environment for SME policy (e.g., drafting of SME strategies, capacity building for SME agencies, digitalisation of services), the review of SME support policies and their effectiveness, as well as reforms to facilitate SME access to finance.
The delivery of policy activities also entails supporting the identification of funding sources and the establishment and maintenance of effective working relationship with government counterparts.
The role requires collaboration with banking colleagues to identify relevant policy activities that help facilitate transactions, and working with other policy specialist teams, including the Legal Transition Team (LTT) on delivery.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities
Policy dialogue:
โข Work with Associate Directors to conduct policy dialogue with relevant stakeholders to promote SME policy improvements, with a view to developing long-term relationships and becoming a trusted adviser; Key areas for policy activities are improvements to the institutional framework for SME policy (SME legal and regulatory framework, SME development strategy, capacity building for SME agencies, digitalisation of SME policy delivery), design or re-design of SME financial support schemes, including credit guarantees, policy activities aimed at removing barriers to the development of new financial products, such as supply chain finance, and other activities, as appropriate.
โข Establish and maintain effective relationships with working level counterparts at Ministries and Agencies in countries across Central Asia.
โข Support the implementation of ongoing SME policy TCs in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan; support origination and implementation of TCs across other Central Asian countries where EBRD operates (Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan)
โข Ensure coordination with other PSD pillars, OGC/LTT and relevant banking departments (SME Finance & Development, Country banking, Financial institutions) to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of policy delivery;
โข Support the design, development, management and coordination of complex TC projects or lead on standardised TCs with internal and external counterparts to support reforms or specific transactions;
โข Monitor the performance of TC projects and work with relevant counterparts to keep them on track;
โข Supporting the ADs, contribute to briefing notes and presentations for the VP Policy and Partnerships management contributions to Committee deliberations and Board meetings.
โข Work with the Partnership pillar to mobilize donor funding to support transactional and non-transactional TCs.
Knowledge generation and analytical work:
โข Contribute to the collection and analysis of necessary data and production of high-quality analytical reports and policy notes that adequately reflect SME development issues.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications
โข Masterโs degree in economics, public policy or related field from a leading university;
โข A minimum of 4 years of experience in a related field;
โข Professional/work experience, gained for example through employment in international organisations, relevant financial or governmental institutions, consultancies, think tanks or academic institutions;
โข Demonstrated ability to apply economic and policy analysis to operational strategy and economic policy making and to conduct policy dialogue with senior officials;
โข Experience with SME development and/or SME policy issues;
โข Excellence in communicating results to non-economist decision makers at a senior level;
โข Excellent interpersonal skills;
โข Proven analytical and quantitative skills;
โข Strong client-facing skills;
โข Ability to operate in a multicultural environment and build effective working relationships with internal/external clients and colleagues;
โข Excellent written and oral communication skills in English at the standard required for a professional publication, official documents and official representation;
โข Familiarity with the EBRD region of operations and work or study experience in the region;
โข Demonstration of an existing network with government counterparts is an advantage;
โข Knowledge of Russian and one or more languages of the Central Asian region is a strong advantage.
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 Bankโs 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.