Manager - Eastern European Country
We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.
At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.
We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.
In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.
Role Summary
Role Summary
We are looking for an exceptional Manager to join our South & Eastern Europe team, to be based in an Eastern European country. The successful candidate will report to a Senior Manager or the Country Director and play an instrumental role in supporting TBI’s projects in the country.
This is an exciting opportunity requiring exceptional candidates with a can-do attitude, appetite to make an impact, versatility, and comfort operating in politically complex environments. The candidate will work closely within the TBI team embedded in country at the highest level of Government.
The ideal candidate will have public sector experience, either in government or through public sector management consulting with experience in investment attraction, and senior public and private sector stakeholder engagement campaigns.
The candidate will have a unique opportunity to interact directly with government civil service officials, appointed senior leadership positions within government, and senior elected officials. The team’s work is highly visible within government and any team member will be able to shape the work of TBI in country and support a government that is charting a new direction for the future.
Key Responsibilities
- The focus of this role will be to contribute to the identification of incentives for investments through a broad outreach to multinational companies, sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), and other institutional investors. As such, we are looking for a hands-on strategic thinker who has a drive to get her or his work implemented and deliver tangible results. Responsibilities will include:
- Problem structuring, conducting in-depth analysis, synthesizing, and identifying client implications, as well as producing client deliverables through effective and impactful written communication. Leading 1-2 analysts or associates during work on more complex work streams is a potential opportunity
- For the strategic economic sectors selected by the government, identify companies (multinationals, SWFs, funds) potentially interested in investments, understand their needs (incentives required) through direct engagement with C-suite decision-makers, and develop a report proposing a comprehensive incentive package to be workshopped and adopted by the government
- Engage with the client frequently face-to-face and participate in meetings and discussions regarding workstreams to ensure client’s needs are being met as accurately as possible
- Contribute to ensuring quality and timeliness of client-facing deliverables, and ensuring projects bring the very best of TBI to clients by harnessing the skills, knowledge, and capacity of political, policy and research functions across TBI, including the Global Client Solutions team
- Engage with government stakeholders to discuss opportunities, and own preparation of materials for and delivery of proposals
- Contribute to the initiation of new workstreams in the country. This will entail working with the country director, remote resources, and on-the-ground resources in leading research, engaging with senior government stakeholders, and overseeing the production of client-ready presentations
Person Specification
Academics and experience
- Experience, ideally in consulting, with a track record of effective project delivery in investment attraction space. The ideal candidate has previously extensively worked with top decision-makers both in the public sector (heads of state, heads of government, ministers) as well as private sector (C-suite)
- A graduate degree in public policy, economics, international relations, or political sciences; under-graduate degrees and graduate degrees in other areas can be considered with relevant equivalent experience
Work ethics and skills
- A proactive, self-motivated individual with a passion for achieving impact.
- Commitment to delivering high quality work, and ready to put in the necessary effort to achieve this within imparted deadlines
- Ability to work independently, think strategically and produce deliverables, with attention to detail
- Strong analytical skills (the ability to produce Excel-based models will be an advantage)
- Strong written communication and executive reporting skills including concise written PPT decks and reports
- A proven ability to collaborate with others, including people from different backgrounds and cultures
- Ability to effectively manage small teams comprising a variety of skill sets, nationalities and cultural backgrounds with an ethos focused on team success and genuine motivation for colleagues’ performance, growth and well-being will be an advantage
- Fluency in English is required, with fluency in an Eastern European language preferred
Client and environmental awareness
- Excellent interpersonal and presentational skills; able to quickly establish TBI’s credibility with the client
- Ability to operate within sometimes sensitive political contexts and be attuned to potential areas of conflict or tension. Apply sound judgement in all external engagements on behalf of TBI
- An awareness of international relations trends, particularly in Eastern Europe
The Institute’s programme in question is new, and the operating environment is challenging due to the ongoing conflict. Like in any new programme, there are many obstacles to overcome, and you may be expected to help develop country operational processes and systems alongside client work.
The ongoing conflict means that the country is classed as a high-risk country and the applicant must be willing to travel and work on the ground, in the country’s capital. Candidates will discuss the security environment with the Institute’s Security, Resilience and Technical Operations team during the interview process. Before you begin work in the said country, you will be expected to undertake security training.
Closing Date:
2024-02-28