Consultant for Supply Chain Finance / Reverse Factoring Transactions supporting SMEs access to finance

Job Description

1. BACKGROUND

Supply Chain Finance (SCF) is defined as the use of financial instruments, practices and technologies for optimizing the management of the working capital and liquidity tied up in the supply chain of manufacturing and service sectors. SCF can significantly contribute towards solving MSME access to finance problem, while creating efficiencies for large domestic and international corporations.

EBRD wishes to extend a contract for a Reverse Factoring (RF) Consultant (the “Consultant”) for one year to develop the Bank’s RF business in in its countries of operation (COOs), with a focus on larger countries (Turkey, Ukraine, Egypt) in support of SMEs. The Consultant will be available during a 12–month period to provide knowledge-sharing and assist with identifying, structuring, preparing and delivering a pipeline of RF project proposals. As a result, the work of the Consultant will also provide input to support EBRDs’ credit procedures, risk assessment and approval process for RF transactions. Subject to Consultant’s performance, the assignment will be renewed further.

1. OBJECTIVES

The Consultant will be employed in London, UK, starting from June 1 2020 for the period of 12 months.

The major task of the Consultant will be to (a) contribute to building knowledge of the RF business for the Bank and its relevant internal units, (b) lead the efforts to develop Bank’s potential framework for RF or SCF (c) identify, structure, prepare and deliver a pipeline of RF transactions in the Bank’s countries of operations.

The Consultant’s Objectives are as follows:

• Share knowledge and best practise with regards to RF;
• Development of a pipeline of potential RF transactions;
• Structuring and executing RF transaction; direct involvement in delivering high-quality project proposals, compliant with the EBRD standards.

• For the purpose of clarity, Consultant’s time should not be used for:
  • Developing ERBD’s direct lending proposals, or any other involvement in EBRD’s work or projects, unrelated to the RF;
  • Working on portfolio or monitoring of existing sub-loans.

1. SCOPE OF WORK

The assignment will be performed in EBRD HQ in London, potentially with visits to EBRD’s COOs in the context of developing and executing a pipeline of RF sub-projects and educating RO bankers with regards to the RF business.

The Consultant will have a direct reporting line to the Regional Head Turkey, EEC & Cyprus, SME F&D. The Consultant shall agree with the Regional Head the work plan before commencing work on the assignment.

1. REQUIREMENTS

• Extensive relevant experience in Supply Chain Financing (i.e. Reverse Factoring), Factoring, Invoice Discounting/Financing, LC Discounting, Distributor Financing; ideally with a strong link to improving SMEs access to finance.
• Proven track record of having structured / closed transactions in the Reverse Factoring space
• Strong knowledge of trade and supply chain finance
• IFI experience or experience in the supply chain financing of commercial banks will be a strong plus
• Evidence of relationship building and ability to develop a network of relevant external contacts, as well as internally across different teams;
• DFI, commercial banking, Trade Finance, Credit Funds, Credit Insurance or other suitable background;
• Widespread contacts in the Supply Chain Financing sector
• Understanding of trade and supply chain finance and portfolio management;
• Knowledge of market and credit risk principles and their application;
• Understanding of operational, reputational and regulatory risk of Supply Chain Financing;
• Proficiency in English

About the Organization

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was established in 1991 when communism was crumbling in central and eastern Europe and ex-soviet countries needed support to nurture a new private sector in a democratic environment. Today the EBRD uses the tools of investment to help build market economies and democracies in 27 countries from central Europe to central Asia. The EBRD is the largest single investor in the region and mobilises significant foreign direct investment beyond its own financing. It is owned by 60 countries and two intergovernmental institutions. But despite its public sector shareholders, it invests mainly in private enterprises, usually together with commercial partners. It provides project financing for banks, industries and businesses, both new ventures and investments in existing companies. It also works with publicly owned companies, to support privatisation, restructuring state-owned firms and improvement of municipal services. The Bank uses its close relationship with governments in the region to promote policies that will bolster the business environment. The mandate of the EBRD stipulates that it must only work in countries that are committed to democratic principles. Respect for the environment is part of the strong corporate governance attached to all EBRD investments. Every EBRD investment must * Help move a country closer to a full market economy: the transition impact * Take risk that supports private investors and does not crowd them out * Apply sound banking principles Through its investments, the EBRD promotes * Structural and sectoral reforms * Competition, privatisation and entrepreneurship * Stronger financial institutions and legal systems * Infrastructure development needed to support the private sector * Adoption of strong corporate governance, including environmental sensitivity Functioning as a catalyst of change, the EBRD * Promotes co-financing and foreign direct investment * Mobilises domestic capital * Provides technical assistance