Principal, Invest EU

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The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was founded in 1991 when communism was crumbling in Europe and ex-Soviet countries needed support to nurture a new private sector and democracy. Today we invest to help build market economies from central Europe to central Asia and the southern and eastern Mediterranean. We are now the largest single investor in our region. Owned by 69 countries and two intergovernmental institutions, we provide project financing for banks, industries and businesses. We also work with publicly owned companies to support privatisation, restructure state-owned firms and improve municipal services. Wherever we are active, we promote policies that bolster the business climate.

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Job description

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The compatibility is only an indication and should not discourage you from applying if you think your profile matches. It is also not taken into consideration for recruitment.

Purpose of Job

The Principal will work with Associate Directors, Heads of Sector and Directors in the relevant ESD team to deliver the Bank's commitments under its Environmental and Social Policy, covering environmental and social appraisal and monitoring of the Bank's portfolio of projects and activities in various sectors; oversight and verification of the Bank's approaches, assessments, monitoring, reporting and verification of environmental, social, green and other commitments relevant to ESDs mandate. The Principal will contribute specialist input to the appraisal and monitoring of a range of projects and sectors, including complex and high-risk projects.

The Principal, InvestEU position entails ensuring that projects under InvestEU and the RRF align with EU environmental and social policies & requirements through thorough Environmental and Social Proofing. This includes planning, formulating, and managing due diligence approaches in line with ESD Assurance processes, ensuring projects meet EU environmental and social policy and regulatory requirements, and coordinating with various teams. The Principal is required to have a good understanding of key EU legislation such as the Industrial Emission Directive (IED), EU EIA Directive, EU Habitats Directives, Battery Directives, SFDR, CSRD, REACH, RoSH, WEEE etc. In addition to conducting in-house due diligence and monitoring and overseeing external consultants, the role requires ensuring adherence to EU Sustainability Proofing methodologies, and leading discussions with EU institutions. The Principal will need to have a good understanding of the EU development consent process and approval by Competent Authorities. The Principal will manage all necessary E&S documentation for EU approvals, provide early-stage support on technical cooperation and project preparation, monitor implementation, and update donors.

Background

ESD works closely and interacts daily with the banking teams and other departments as relevant to drive the shared agenda of sound environment and sustainable development.

ESD is a team of specialists responsible for the environmental and social appraisal, assessment and monitoring of Bank's portfolio of projects and activities in various sectors. ESD is responsible for, and the custodians of, the Environmental and Social Policy (ESP). Main interaction is with the Banking teams during project development and implementation, where an active participation is expected from ESD in assessing gaps against applicable policy provisions, identifying, and developing solutions and opportunities, and thereby ensuring compliance as well as increased environmental and social transition impact, delivering sound environment and sustainable development.

Within its mandate, ESD:

• conducts oversight and verification of the Bank's approaches and assessments,
• interacts frequently with the Board, banking and external stakeholders,
• is responsible for data collection and data management,
• is responsible for standards and minimum requirements,
• oversees and assesses environmental and sustainability-related risk,
• is responsible for monitoring, reporting, verification,
• is responsible for the ESP and related policy management and policy development, methodologies, and guidance.

Facts / Scale

The Principal is expected to manage and facilitate specialist input to projects, TCs, tasks and initiatives, including complex and high-risk projects and TCs. They may work individually or with the support of Analysts or Associates. The Principal will typically work under the guidance of an Associate Director Head.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Under the direction of an Associate Director Head:

• Provide specialist input to projects, Technical Cooperation's (TCs), tasks and initiatives, including complex and high-risk projects and TCs. They may work individually or with assigned support of Analysts or Associates.
• When acting as facilitator on an aspect of work, the Principal will have full responsibility for managing delivery of a particular sub – project, project, task, or activities. These activities may include contributing to assessment of ESP compliance, E&S risks impacts and opportunities; climate and nature risks, Paris Alignment, and green finance attribution; monitoring, verification and reporting; and assurance.
• Coordinate project and consultant teams, conduct and/or contribute analytical, scientific, and technical reviews and appraisals, develop methodologies, monitor outputs/outcomes, contribute specialist input, manage data, review, and develop internal and external publications, negotiate E&S contract terms.
• Undertake work travel independently, as required
• As delegated by the Director or Associate Director Head, represent ESD internally and externally at various fora, including project, client, lender and stakeholder meetings and other events. This representation may be supported by more senior staff, as required.
• Take responsibility for specific thematic policy and/or safeguard area as assigned by the Director or Associate Director Head.
• Support internal and external capacity building initiatives and mentor and coach staff on environmental, social and green finance matters.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of internal processes and procedures, including the streamlining, collection, management, and automation of data.
• Preparation of internal and external reports, on the Bank's reporting approach, and methodologies.
• Work in line with Bank's Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in environmental and/or social sciences/economics, engineering, or related field or comparable professional experience.
• Proven track-record appraising complex environmental and social risks and impacts of a range of projects and/or sectors.
• Knowledge of international good practice environmental, social and climate standards/guidelines (e.g. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Environmental and Social Requirements, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards, Equator Principles, Paris Agreement alignment, Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), International Sustainability Standards Board (SSB), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), sector guidelines, etc).
• Knowledge and experience applying financing instruments, approaches, and processes as well as IFI, or similar, policies and procedures
• Excellent knowledge of environmental and social thematic policy and safeguard areas and the risks and impacts of various sectors.
• In-depth understanding of scientific, economic, and political dimensions of environmental and social issues. Ability to apply those to the assessment of EBRD investment projects.
• Familiarity with the countries in which the Bank operates / plans to operate
• Track record in project management, leading/contributing to multi-disciplinary teams and delivering a solution-orientated and risk-assessment based approach.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work independently or lead or be part of a team.
• Effective time management and organisational skills and ability to multi-task and delegate tasks.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Familiarity with a language of the EBRD countries of operations would be advantageous and, for a resident office appointment, local language fluency will be required.
• Demonstrated experience communicating 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.
• Substantial analytical and quantitative skills.
• Experience mentoring and coaching less experienced staff.
• Ability to transfer previous external experience into the EBRD context.
• Proactive in anticipating problems and tackling those to avoid escalation.
• Demonstrable experience in negotiations, persuasion, and influence skills in internal and external engagement activities to deliver the team's and Bank's objectives, based on effective communication skills.

Please be advised internal applicants are only eligible to apply once the probation period in your current role has been passed.

Please note that CCTs and applicants working directly for a Board office can only apply for jobs advertised via the external website.

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).

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View details

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

Type of contract: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

Macro-area: Multiple

Level of experience: Senior Professional, more than 5 years

Area of work : Banking and Finance

Type of organisation: Multilateral Organisations