Associate, Star Venture (Côte d'Ivoire)

About the role

The EBRD Star Venture programme supports and scales high-potential startups in emerging markets through advisory services, international mentorship, corporate partnerships, blended finance and market access. This Associate role delivers Star Venture activities in assigned Sub-Saharan African countries, mainly Francophone ones such as Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Benin, under the supervision of the Associate Director. The posting ends on 16 November 2026.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and run annual country plans, coordinate advisory projects and ecosystem interventions, and monitor delivery against donor commitments and EBRD policies.
• Build local sourcing channels, screen applications, prepare shortlists and own the delivery of startup support, tracking progress and milestones.
• Analyse clients' financials and growth prospects to structure advisory support and improve investment readiness.
• Design and deliver ecosystem-building activities, manage partnerships with accelerators, investors, corporates and universities, and represent Star Venture externally.
• Support fundraising by providing country-level pipeline, budget and impact data for donor proposals and reporting.
• Monitor portfolio performance, KPIs and risks, and escalate material issues to management.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree (master's preferred) or equivalent experience; 10+ years of experience preferred.
• Significant experience in startup acceleration, venture capital, venture-building, innovation advisory or entrepreneurship support programmes.
• Knowledge of donor-funded work and donor fund mobilisation desirable.
• Fluency in English and French, written and spoken; fluency in the country's language is essential.
• Ability to travel within the country and internationally.

Required skills

• Business and financial analysis, including reading accounts and local accounting principles.
• Project management, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.