Principal, Project Integrity

Purpose of Job

The Principal, Project Integrity works within the Project Integrity team in Office of the Chief Compliance Officer (OCCO) to assess integrity risk in projects and ensure high standards of integrity are consistently applied through the Bank’s projects.

Background

This role is in one of the specialist support functions in the investment process. The primary responsibility of the Principal, Project Integrity is to provide specialist advice to the Bank on transaction related integrity and reputational issues (including through the Operations Committee & Small Business Investment Committee, and in close cooperation with Banking teams and Credit). The Principal analyses, verifies, interprets and assesses integrity concerns and mitigating measures, after which an appropriate course of action is proposed. 

Facts / Scale

The Project Integrity team consists of 18 members: two Senior Officers providing support, ten Principals, six Associate Directors, and one Director. The team assesses some 600 projects a year, and conducts regular training across the Bank. The main points of contact are banking and credit teams but also other support units such as Impact and OGC, as well as working with external consultants. The Principal can be involved in any integrity related matter across the whole range of the Bank’s operations, but is mainly concerned with those related to transactions in the pre-signing phase. On average, each Principal works on 25 transactions simultaneously each month. The Principal has a portfolio of some 50 live projects at any one time and needs to keep abreast of a variety of issues in each of them at any given time.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Integrity & Risk Analysis

• Assess integrity and reputational risks in projects, working closely with Banking, Credit, and Legal teams.
• Provide well-founded recommendations on integrity and reputational risks and mitigation measures.
• Advise on integrity-related policies and contribute to internal audits and board presentations.

Strategic Advisory & Capacity Building

• Develop and provide training and guidance aimed at promoting awareness of and compliance with the Bank’s integrity standards and requirements.
• Lead anti-corruption and AML/CFT capacity-building initiatives.
• Keep up to date with international compliance, corporate governance, and financial crime standards.
• Represent EBRD in internal and external discussions, including with donors, auditors, and government bodies.

Regional & Cross-Border Collaboration

• Provide expertise on Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, Central Asia, and/or Eastern Europe, with deep knowledge of the local business and regulatory environments.
• Preparedness to travel, and act with the gravitas necessary to represent the EBRD well in familiar and unfamiliar situations. 
• Contribute to broader integrity strategies and Bank-wide initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Degree in law, finance, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in legal, banking, compliance, auditing, or integrity due diligence and risk assessment, with an understanding of the subject matter of several departments such as Credit and proven experience in making decisions based on judgement.
• Prior work in EBRD regions would be an advantage.
  

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional analytical skills and ability to assess integrity and reputational risks.
• Understanding of the international standards regarding compliance, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and integrity issues arising in EBRD’s countries of operations.
• Strong decision-making ability with sound judgment.
• Independent thinker with the flexibility to adapt and collaborate.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, able to influence senior stakeholders.
• High integrity and discretion, comfortable making high-stakes recommendations.
• Language skills: English fluency required; French, Arabic, or Russian is a strong advantage.
• Attracted to the mission of the Bank as well as its multicultural 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).