Associate, Star Venture

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire · West Africa

Role type

Development Finance & Multilaterals

Experience

Senior

Language

English and French

Deadline

2026-11-16

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Summary

Support high-potential startups and strengthen venture ecosystems through EBRD’s Star Venture programme from Abidjan. The Associate delivers startup sourcing, business diagnostics, tailored advisory support and investor partnerships, helping founders improve investment readiness and scale their businesses across assigned Sub-Saharan African markets.

About the role

The two-year fixed-term role primarily supports Star Venture activities in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Benin. Working with the Associate Director and product team, the Associate manages programme implementation, consultants and ecosystem relationships. The work combines financial and growth analysis with hands-on founder support, donor coordination and performance monitoring. It is a venture-building and advisory mandate rather than a direct investment-execution role. Despite the Associate title, the employer prefers more than ten years of experience and explicitly lists English and French fluency.

Key responsibilities

Build sourcing networks, screen startup applications and prepare documented selection recommendations.

Analyse startup financials and growth prospects to design advisory support and strengthen investment readiness.

Manage startup, mentor and consultant relationships and track fundraising outcomes and business milestones.

Design ecosystem initiatives and partnerships with accelerators, investors, corporates and development organisations.

Prepare country plans and coordinate programme budgets, delivery schedules and governance requirements.

Support donor proposals and reporting, monitor performance and risks, and capture lessons and impact evidence.

Key requirements

Strong bachelor’s degree; a master’s in Economics, Finance, Business or a related area, or equivalent expertise, is preferred.

More than ten years of experience is preferred, with significant relevant work in acceleration, venture capital, venture-building, innovation advisory or consulting.

Experience supporting founders or managing startup programmes, with knowledge of venture finance, business models and growth metrics.

Financial-analysis, project-management, problem-solving and stakeholder-negotiation skills.

Fluent written and spoken English and French, as explicitly listed by the employer; fluency in the country-of-operation language is essential.

Knowledge of local business and advisory environments and willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Nice to have

Experience with donor-funded work and donor fundraising.

Two-year fixed-term contract. Submit an English-language résumé through EBRD’s official portal by 16 November 2026. The published language requirements include English and French for this location.

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