Principal I, Blended Finance

Purpose of Job

EBRD’s business model depends on successful partnerships with donors. More than two thirds of the Bank’s business volume is supported by donor fund resources for technical cooperation as well as investment grant or concessional instruments to help the Bank deliver on its strategic investment targets, policy-reform support and transition impact in line with EBRD’s Strategic Capital Framework 2026-2030 (SCF). In a rapidly changing external environment of declining Official Development Assistance (ODA), EBRD’s Donor Strategy 2026-2030 aims to position EBRD as partner of choice for donors to deliver impact in line with the SCF objectives.

The Principal will be expected to play a core role in leading the Bank’s work on donor strategies design and implementation, donor policies, donor fund analytics, knowledge and training as well as donor communication and stakeholder engagement. The Principal is expected to generate new ideas and evidence to support better sourcing, structuring, using and reporting on the use of donor funds in a resource-constrained environment. Internally, the Principal is expected to collaborate closely with teams in Donor Partnerships, Impact, Banking, regions, policy and relevant corporate teams to facilitate the strategic sourcing and using of donor funds. Externally, the Principal will engage with relevant stakeholders to stay abreast of strategic development finance developments, represent the Bank in relevant partnership fora and contribute to the organization of donor events. The Principal will also engage with the Bank’s shareholders on topics related to donor strategies and policies and blended concessional finance. The Principal will be expected to ensure that the Bank positions itself as strategic partner of choice for donors, while adhering to best practice principles in the use of donor funds, including the DFI Blended Finance Principles.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

•    Donor fund strategy development and implementation: Oversee the implementation of EBRD’s Donor Strategy 2026-2030 in collaboration with all relevant banking, policy, region and corporate teams, including through the development of annual donor strategy implementation plans, contributions to pipeline management and prioritisation processes, the creation and maintenance of management dashboards and regular updates to donor strategies resulting from internal and external changes. 

•    Donor policies: Act as custodian of EBRD’s existing donor fund policies and oversee their implementation, including but not limited to the client contribution policy; lead policy and guidance reviews and updates as required; develop future Bank policy frameworks for working with donors, including the development of policies and guidelines as needed; collaborate with donor fund operations, user, corporate and finance teams across the Bank to identify areas for updates and efficiency improvements; 

•    Donor fund analytics, reporting and knowledge generation: Develop and anchor a range of analytical functions related to donor fund management, including but not limited to (i) regular analysis and presentation of global trends and strategic directions in the development of Official Development Assistance (ODA), including mapping of key partners, associated donor and development strategies, strategic drivers, risks and opportunities for EBRD; (ii) production of aggregate donor fund analytics for EBRD, including the Annual Donor Report and Annual Funding Outlook as well as ad hoc analytical pieces as required; (iv) contribute to the development of an integrated systems approach to donor fund management across EBRD as part of the transformation agenda; (iii) manage EBRD’s contributions to external reports and publications, such as the annual reporting to the DFI Blended Finance Working Group, the Convergence Blended Finance Network and other relevant initiatives; (iv) develop regular knowledge pieces related to sourcing and using of donor funds in the current environment;

•    Training development and delivery: Develop and deliver a monthly training program on relevant topics related to donor fund environments, strategies, policies, analytics, instruments in order to upskill Bank teams, new joiners, Board members and other audiences in the understanding of eligibility criteria of existing donor funds, drivers and justification for the use of donor funds; provide learnings on donor-related processes, such as donor fund reporting; and develop and maintain a resource base and training library for donor fund related information; 

•    Communication and stakeholder management: Oversee donor fund communication activities related to donor strategies and analytics; organize the Annual Donor Meeting; engage with key external stakeholders related to EBRD’s donor strategy and use of donor funds, such as partnership and policy teams in peer MDB and DFIs, communities of practice and networks, think tanks et al. and represent the Bank at key stakeholder events; organize monthly sessions of the Donor Network and/or a high-level speaker series; and provide input to corporate strategy and other donor-related internal processes.

•    Contribute to internal working groups and change management initiatives and lead or contribute to other relevant initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Knowledge

•    Excellent understanding of the economic, political, environmental, social, governance and financial challenges in the global aid architecture, guiding international agreements and current developments, including G7 and G20 agendas and roadmaps related to MDBs, blended finance and private capital mobilisation.
•    In-depth knowledge of bilateral and multilateral donor landscape, strategic parameters, ways of engaging as well as fundraising modalities and prevailing multi-lateral and bilateral donor fund structures, especially in regions, sectors and themes relevant to EBRD’s mandate; experience in fundraising from donors is a plus.
•    Good understanding of using donor funds for supporting investments through blended public-private finance, policy work, capacity building, project preparation and implementation across a range of concessional instruments (grants, concessional loans, guarantees, risk sharing, blended finance funds etc.); experience in the deployment of donor funds and in structured blended finance is a plus.
•    Detailed understanding of operational project approval and fund management cycles; understanding of the donor community and the importance of sound financial and results management; as well as applicable international reporting standards and conventions, including for Official Development Assistance and private capital mobilisation. 
•    Good understanding of institutional, governance, delivery and change management issues for high efficiency and impact of using donor funds, and of related finance, banking and accounting approaches for donor fund management. 
•    Understanding of the range of operating models underpinning the business structures within donor-fund supported MDB/DFI operations, especially in areas relevant to EBRD. 

Skills

•    Excellent strategic thinking, proven experience in developing and successfully implementing organizational and operational strategies.
•    Strong analytical ability, with Masters-level qualitative and quantitative research skills and track record of providing high quality analysis and packaging it effectively for policy recommendations, trainings and impact on operations.
•    Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others using data or analysis to support line of reasoning.
•    Strong communication skills and ability to translate complex realities into user-friendly information, tools and policies; ability to communicate both with donor and banking teams and across the public and private sector.
•    Good managerial skills (project management, people management), experience in mentoring junior staff.
•    Strong organisational skills and ability to work independently and proactively on own initiative, as well as in teams, including across complex organizations, and ability to manage and prioritize competing demands effectively. 
•    Fluent in Windows XP: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; experience in quantitative programs (STATA, R etc.) is a plus 

Experience

•    Extensive experience in a strategy, policy or donor fund management role in a government organisation, a multilateral or bilateral development finance institution, international organisation, a blended public-private fund manager or in government relations in the private sector.
•    Solid experience in successful project/program and people management.
•    Experience in fundraising from public/philanthropic/private donors.
•    Experience in the use of donor funds in blended finance investment structures and for technical assistance.

Qualifications

•    Master’s degree in economics, finance, business administration, international relations, political economy or equivalent.
•    Experience in writing and publishing thought leadership pieces.
•    Experience in blended concessional finance structures.
•    Fluency in English.

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).