AD, Dep Head Ukraine, Gov't Relations

Purpose of Job

Ukraine is one of the Bank’s largest and most strategically important countries of operation. The Associate Director, Deputy Head of Ukraine, GR supports the Managing Director, Ukraine and Moldova in managing relationships with the Ukrainian authorities, coordinating the Bank’s policy initiatives, and overseeing the effective functioning of the Kyiv Resident Office, including its staff and resources, and operational arrangements.

The role is performed in a complex, high-intensity operating environment characterised by heightened political sensitivity, accelerated decision-making, and close coordination with international partners and other key stakeholders. As such, the position is a critical pillar of country management and on-the-ground institutional representation.

To be effective, the incumbent must demonstrate a high degree of professional maturity, extensive transactional and operational banking experience, strong people and resource management capabilities, and the judgement and adaptability required to engage credibly with a wide range of internal and external counterparties, including senior government officials, international financial institutions, donors, clients, and Bank management.

Facts / Scale

Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has been an important priority for the Bank. The Bank has already invested into the real economy of Ukraine over €9.2 billion since 2022, including over €3.3 billion for the energy sector. In 2025, the Bank has deployed a record €2.9 billion across 78 private sector and 8 public sector projects.

The EBRD continues supporting Ukraine’s reform agenda and EU integration by combining strategic investments with targeted policy engagement. Policy priorities focus on corporate governance in state-owned enterprises, particularly in the energy sector, institutional capacity building, human capital recovery and resilience, the green transition, digitalisation and cybersecurity, alongside targeted sector initiatives. The Ukraine Reform and Recovery Architecture (URA) programme alone deploys ca. 320 experts to key government institutions.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Oversight:

• Support the Managing Director for Ukraine and Moldova, ensuring effective implementation and delivery of annual business targets and policy priorities.
• Take joint responsibility with the Managing Director, the other Deputy Heads and the Regional Policy Lead for delivery of the Ukraine Score Card and related performance objectives, such as the GCI operational and policy commitments.
• In close coordination with the Regional Policy Lead, provide strategic oversight and guidance to the origination and execution of the Bank’s policy initiatives, technical cooperation programmes, ensuring strong impact, coherence, and alignment with the Bank’s mandate and Ukraine’s reform and recovery priorities. The focus of the Deputy Head of Ukraine, GR is on creating an enabling and receptive reform environment with Ukrainian stakeholders incl. the government.

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation:

• Represent the Bank in high-level relationships with government stakeholders, national agencies, local authorities, and the international community, strengthening the Bank’s strategic positioning, influence, and partnerships in Ukraine.
• Support the coordination of the Bank’s responses to national policy developments, ensuring alignment with EBRD priorities and maintaining strong visibility, credibility and consistency of messaging at the country level.
• Work in close coordination with the Regional Policy Lead on policy dialogue and reform engagement. The Deputy Head will serve as the Bank’s principal relationship-manager and senior country interlocutor in Ukraine, while the Regional Policy Lead will lead on the substantive policy agenda, technical cooperation and implementation of reform initiatives.
• Represent the Bank in interactions with business associations, civil society, and the media, reinforcing the EBRD’s reputation as a trusted and leading development partner for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
• Champion the EBRD’s mission on economic transition, sustainability, and private sector development by participating and speaking at external forums, ensuring the Bank’s voice remains influential in shaping the Ukraine’s policy and investment landscape.

Operational Management:

• Support the Managing Director / Head of Ukraine in the prioritisation, resourcing, and delivery of country objectives, ensuring effective coordination across policy and operational activities.
• Act on behalf of the Managing Director, as required, providing continuity of leadership and supporting timely decision-making in a high-intensity operating environment.
• Work closely with the Regional Policy Lead on policy dialogue and technical cooperation, ensuring coherent and well-sequenced engagement at the country level.
• Oversee the effective functioning of the Resident Office, including staff management, budget oversight, and day-to-day operational matters, especially during the heightened security risks and with a view to safeguard operational efficiency.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Support the Managing Director in fostering a cohesive, high-performing, and inclusive Kyiv Resident Office team, despite the fragmented geography of the current team localization.
• Promote professional development, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement, ensuring the team has the skills and capacity to operate effectively in a demanding environment.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and performance management for the Resident Office, supporting talent retention and succession planning.
• Role-model and uphold the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
• Act as line manager for the Principal Administration Manager and oversee the performance of administrative staff.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Strong understanding of Ukraine’s political, economic, and regulatory environment, with the ability to assess complex institutional and market dynamics in real time.
• Proven experience managing senior-level relationships with government authorities, public sector institutions, business representatives, and international partners in a politically sensitive context.
• Sound knowledge of the EBRD’s operational policies, procedures, and governance standards, with experience supporting policy initiatives, operations, and risk-informed decision-making.
• Strong transactional and operational banking background in emerging markets, providing credibility in engagements with senior corporate and financial institution counterparts.
• Excellent judgement, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to represent the Bank effectively in high-level engagements.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively under pressure in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment.
• Demonstrated leadership and influencing skills, fostering collaboration across teams and organisational units.
• High standards of integrity and professionalism, acting as a role model for the Bank’s values and behavioural competencies.
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, business administration, international relations, or a related discipline; a postgraduate degree is an advantage.
• Substantial professional experience in international or national economic development and/or banking, with exposure to complex operating environments and public sector engagement, including in Ukraine or comparable contexts.
• Demonstrated experience working with senior government counterparts and a broad range of institutional stakeholders in a country management or senior operational role.
• Practical experience in overseeing operational risk, compliance, and administrative and budgetary processes within an international organisation or comparable institution.
• Experience in leading and managing teams in a matrix or multi-disciplinary environment.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About EBRD 

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in.  

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment. 

The EBRD environment provides you with: 

• Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in. 
• A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively.
• A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness. 
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do. 
• A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits. 

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.   

Please note, that due to the high volume of applications received, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted (for further consideration).