Associate, Policy

Purpose of Job

The Associate, Policy will work with the RPS team covering [region] deliver the Bank’s transition mandate, focusing on a subset of priority policy / thematic areas in the region. While the Associate may have specific experience or qualifications, they will be expected to work flexibly across all the Bank’s areas of focus and to contribute to a coherent and holistic policy agenda.

Additionally, the Associate will support expand the activities of the Bank through the identification and the development of dedicated projects and project components, innovative financing schemes and new partnerships and initiatives in order to align investments consistent with Low Carbon Pathways aligned with the Paris Agreement and this will entail working in close cooperation with the Climate Strategy and Development (CSD) in:

i) identifying, defining and structuring low carbon investments working across the regional and banking matrix with private and public sector clients with a focus in Industrial Decarbonization;
ii) supporting the definition of innovative investment vehicles to promote, aggregate and scale up EBRD investments;
iii) supporting the development and implementation of technical assistance assignments to ensure Green Economy Transition (GET) investment activity

Background

The Associate is part of VP3’s Regional Policy and Strategy (RPS) team. The RPS team designs and delivers, in close coordination with PSD, CSD and Banking teams the Bank’s policy agenda in each of its countries of operations. It prepares Country Strategies and related updates as well as policy compacts. It produces economic and political reviews of the Bank’s countries of operations, including carrying out assessments of consistency with Article 1 of the Agreement Establishing the Bank. The RPS team handles coordination within VP3 and Banking for all policy activities of the Bank in its Countries of Operations.

Facts / Scale

The Associate is expected to be capable of leading individual projects or themes, will typically report to an Associate Director and may work individually or manage Analysts to deliver their objectives. Additionally in close collaboration with the CSD team: 

• To contribute by assisting project team members in the identification and execution of GET components of projects and by supporting the implementation and monitoring activities
• To assist in the implementation of technical assistance (TA) assignments such as resource efficiency audits, including related capital investment appraisals in the corporate sector, conducted by external consultants
• To undertake analytical research in the area of development finance instruments, green capital market transactions/instruments.
• To provide support to colleagues in the implementation of donor-funded programmes

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The range of accountabilities and responsibilities may include the following:

• Monitor and assess growth and reform progress in [region]; support the development and implementation of policy dialogue workstreams in areas such as green transition, economic governance, competitiveness, human capital, digitalisation, and capital markets development.
• Work on policy dialogue workstreams and transactions, including those related to transport and regional connectivity in the region, acting as the key team member in coordination with the London-based VP3 teams and delivering policy initiatives / TC or analytical assignments.
• Support Banking in the delivery of specific investments (including participating in OpsCom and Board presentations), deliver policy projects and objectives or prepare economic / political economic assessments.
• Working under the direction of the RPL, take responsibility for delivery of a particular aspect of a thematic area or project.
• As agreed with RPL, represent the Bank in external forums.
• Engage with internal and external counterparts, including at senior governmental level, to advance the Bank’s transition objectives in a specific thematic area.
• Assess structural reform progress in the region to provide input into key Bank products, including the Regional Economic Prospects and the annual Transition Report.
• Contribute to the preparation of country diagnostics and of country strategies.
• Perform ad hoc assignments, including background research on economic, sectoral and other policy developments, draft briefings, presentations, and short analyses/focus pieces.
• Support the RPL in the preparation of the policy compacts for the region.
• Work as a team member at project level to identify investment opportunities for climate and sustainable resource technologies (energy efficiency, water efficiency, materials efficiency, waste minimisation, circular economy), with specific focus on corporate sector operations.
• In close cooperation with the CSD team, lead the identification and structuring of capital investment appraisals of sustainable resource investments and review the associated implementation and operational risks.
• Undertake marketing and business development efforts in the relevant sub-sector and countries to build reputable market contacts and develop deal flow and cross selling of the Bank’s competencies.
• As a project team member, influence clients in order to structure and deliver Green Economy Transition (GET) element of banking transactions to ensure that GET is mainstreamed/maximised in the projects financed by EBRD and transactions comply with internal governance e.g. Paris Alignment

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Motivation – demonstrated strong commitment to, and understanding of, the Bank’s transition agenda.
• Education – relevant education to at least degree level in economics, development policy, industrial business, engineering, environmental sciences, transport, environmental or energy economics commerce or equivalent; or comparable professional experience.
• Experience – managing projects and playing a leadership role in multi-disciplinary teams delivering those projects; familiarity with emerging markets and transition economies; familiarity with finance and investment decision making; strong knowledge of the technical/industry/policy area in which the relevant team operates; good knowledge of transport and regional connectivity in the Region.
• Communication – capacity to communicate complex policy and technical issues to a wide range of stakeholders verbally and in writing; ability to build consensus and reach agreement in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Language/Technical – excellent written and spoken English. Familiarity with a language of the EBRD countries of operations would be very advantageous. Computer literate (advanced Excel, PowerPoint and Word).
• Good knowledge and understanding of the Paris Agreement and of policy analysis and policy formulation in the areas of climate change, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, technology transfer and energy.
• Good understanding of the Climate related impacting in the corporate value chains, in terms of climate physical risk, carbon transition and corresponding methodologies and metrics. 

What is it like to work at the 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. 

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;
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital  transformation at the heart of what we do.

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. 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, sexual orientation or disabilities.  As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.

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).