Technical Assistance Officer (BDSF)

Company details

The Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO) is a development finance institution governed by the Belgian state with a goal to foster sustainable development through private sector investment in partner countries.

BIO is a value driven organization that embodies open-mindedness, responsibility, determination and sustainability in every aspect of its work.

Function

Join our team as Technical Assistance Officer at BIO (the Belgian Development Finance Institution). You will help us improve our positive impact through capacity building support to our clients and other stakeholders. You will be part of the Development and Sustainability Unit, which is responsible for (1) impact assessment, (2) environmental and social risks management, and (3) technical assistance support to all BIO clients.

BIO provides grants to finance feasibility studies and technical assistance programmes through its dedicated facility, the Business Development Support Fund (BDSF), with the goal to improve overall sustainability and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, in line with BIO’s mission. The BDSF plays a key role in supporting our clients (SMEs, Financial Institutions, Infrastructure projects and Funds) with high quality capacity development services, thereby strengthening organizational or project-related capabilities and positive impact.

The D&S Unit is currently looking for a Technical Assistance Officer who will collaborate with the BDSF coordinator in the day-to-day operation of the Fund.

The tasks and responsibilities include:

• Coordinate the development of new BDSF projects in direct collaboration with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders (identify needs and priorities, prepare project proposals, support market consultation, support legal review)
• Monitor the portfolio of BDSF grant projects (define team objectives and plan, manage individual projects review and monitor results, check costs justification, prepare portfolio reports)
• Manage specific requirements of EU and DGD grant fundings for BIO (related to program design, monitoring and reporting needs)
• Collaborate with external stakeholders (other DFIs, impact investors, fund managers, Belgian authorities and stakeholders) and represent the interests of BIO in steering committees and sector meetings
• Contribute to continuous improvement of BDSF processes and tools
• Lead or support other transversal initiatives of the D&S unit

Within your role, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with every department of the institution and with many external stakeholders, touching upon a large variety of topics related to development finance (such as economic viability, operational improvement, development effectiveness, sustainability challenges). In addition, you will better understand how a DFI works and finances projects, its mission, and how it can create real local development impact in emerging markets and developing economies.

Profile

• Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Management, Political Sciences or related fields. An orientation in International Development is an asset
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in Technical Assistance projects implementation & grant management, with understanding of public tendering processes
• Experience in project management in developing countries is an asset
• Client-oriented profile, with good communication and negotiation skills
• Team player in an international environment, proactive and able to work independently, with operational & hands-on attitude
• Strong interest in sustainable development. Technical knowledge of sustainability challenges is an asset (climate change, inclusivity, decent work, human rights, etc.)
• Keen to learn about Development Finance Institutions’ activities and objectives & affinity with BIO’s mission
• At ease with budget development, data management and KPIs reporting
• Fluent in spoken and written English. Knowledge of French, Dutch and/or Spanish is a strong asset
• Willing to travel once or twice a year
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel & PowerPoint)

Offer

Come and join BIO for an enriching professional experience, in a team driven by impact and sustainability with motivated colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

We offer an attractive package and pay attention to work-life balance and personal development (homeworking, flexibility, training, afterwork activities and team buildings). For this position we offer an open-ended full-time contract. We’re ideally situated in Brussels – only a brisk 10-minute walk from Brussels Central Station and therefore easily accessible by public transport from several big cities.