Current Job Opportunities

EU Expert sought - Project Cycle management for IPA funds and structural funds

Who are we

Exemplas Limited is the commercial arm of the University of Hertfordshire. Since 1993 the company has delivered business support services on behalf of the UK government. Outside of business support, we are a major deliverer of strategic leadership & management programmes for the public and private sectors. The merger with the University in 2005 created an organisation uniquely capable of supporting our clients by blending the knowledge and skill to be found within a University with our extensive range of consultancy and training services. As a result, the company has developed a strong skill base in terms of strategy development, leadership & management, executive coaching, innovation and business research. For the past 12 years, Exemplas has operated internationally, primarily to support the introduction of global best practice in business support and public sector. For more information see our website


What are we looking for

Exemplas is currently looking for 2 senior EU experts to develop and deliver a 4 day training course on the topic: Project Cycle management in relation to IPA funds and structural funds, with relevance to the Western Balkan context. IPA funds would be considered from the new programming period perspectives and structural funds from the point of view of new member states.


In additon we are looking for a regional expert (from the Western Balkans) to work alongside the international experts.

The aim is to deliver training which is highly interactive (groups work/work in pairs/simulations/quizzes/etc), together with pragmatic tests and exercises.

The target audience will be representatives of different public institutions (primarily Ministries) from Western Balkan countries.

We are therefore looking for experts with:

  • A Bachelors or Masters Degree in public administration, public policy, regional development or a relevant, related or equivalent discipline
  • Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in IPA/structural funds
  • Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills
  • Experience as a trainer of public sector audiences
  • Experience in design, development and delivery of details training materials
  • Knowledge of the Western Balkans
  • Proficiency in English, and
  • A commitment to quality

What do you need to do

Please provide an EU-format CV, together with a short pen picture/resume to Hilary Oakley, Exemplas Limited, at hilaryo@exemplas.com. Closing date 31st January 2012

Exemplas has been short listed for a EuropeAid project focussing on foreign direct investment (FDI) promotion in Sevastopol, Ukraine. We are part of a consortium led by HTSPE and if successful, the project is due to start in April 2012 and continue for 2 years.


Project Description

The overall aim of the project is to promote Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the city of Sevastopol, which in turn will promote its social and economic development by generating new opportunities through better use of untapped local and regional potential. In addition, the key strategic objectives are:-

  • Strengthen the institutional capacity of the administrative bodies that are responsible for FDI promotion, infrastructures and access to land; to set up and develop a fully operational Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) embedded into an existing independent local structure, involving all local stakeholders and having the full support of the Sevastopol authorities
  • Identify key strategic sectors and prepare detailed business plans of selected projects

Promote a new image of Sevastopol

Exemplas is looking for a number of highly skilled and experienced people to be part of the project delivery team based in Sevastopol. The roles required are:-

Team Leader (for a minimum of 400 days in 24 months)

Qualifications and skills

  • Masters degree in Economics, Law, or Business Administration or a relevant, directly related discipline, or equivalent as minimum requirement
  • Excellent Presentation Skills
  • Excellent knowledge of English
  • Excellent Drafting and Reporting skills; knowledge of MS Office applications
  • Fluency in Russian or in Ukrainian is a must

General professional experience

  • At least IS years of working experience in the area of Business Development and/or Foreign Direct Investments promotion and generation as minimum requirement
  • At least 5 years experience in the position of Team-Leader in Technical Assistance projects as minimum requirement, 10 years preferred
  • Preferred experience within an Investment Bank and/or as Financial Advisor
  • Experience in developing and/or providing training on the project related subjects

Specific professional experience

  • Working experience in investment policy and/or strategic investment promotion acquired through working with corresponding public bodies or advisory assignments for international development organisations like UNCTAD, WTO, World Bank, EBRD, IFC,EC, etc.
  • Experience of preparing Feasibility Studies and/or Business Plans for EBRD and IFC funded projects or investments in Central and Eastern Europe is an asset.

The minimum recommended input of the Team Leader is 400 days

Key expert 2: Senior FDI Facilitation Expert (For a minimum of 300 days in 24 months)

Qualifications and skills

  • Masters degree in Business Administration, Economics, Law or Engineering or other relevant discipline, or equivalent
  • Excellent knowledge of English
  • Good drafting and reporting ability
  • Good command of Russian or Ukrainian will be considered an advantage

General professional experience

  • At least 10 years of working experience in the area of Business Development and/or Foreign Direct Investments promotion and generation as minimum requirement
  • At least 5 years experience in international Technical Assistance projects in the area of Private Sector Development as a minimum requirement
  • Working experience within or for an Investment Bank and/or as Financial Advisor is an Advantage

Specific professional experience

  • Experience of Business Development in EU or ENPI / IPA countries as minimum requirement. Preferred requirement: key position in a Investment Promotion Agency
  • Experience of preparing Feasibility Studies and/or Business Plan for EBRD and FC in Central and Eastern Europe is an asset
  • Successful experience of FDI attraction of a value of more than €10m is an asset

The minimum recommended input of the FDI Facilitation expert is 300 days

Key expert 3: Senior' FDI Dissemination Expert (For a minimum of 220 days in 24 months)

Qualifications and skills

  • Masters degree in Journalism, Communication, Public Relations; or other relevant discipline, or equivalent
  • Excellent Presentation Skills
  • Excellent knowledge of English

General professional experience

  • At least 10 years of professional experience dealing with Business Development and Promotion or equivalent as minimum requirement
  • At least 3 years experience in the position of senior expert in international Technical Assistance projects preferred

Specific professional experience

  • Experience of organising promotion and information campaigns and events related to FDI and/or Business Development as minimum requirement
  • Experience in organising international business forums or similar events in EU and/or Central Eastern Europe as preferred requirement.

The minimum recommended input of the FDI Dissemination expert is 220 days.

If we are successful with this bid, we will also be looking for a number short term senior and junior experts with related skills and experience.

If you are interested in any of these roles, please forward your CV (in the EU format) to grahamc@exemplas.com as soon as possible and no later than 16 December 2011.