Associate, Policy

Purpose of Job

The Associate, Policy will work with the RPS team covering Central Asia and Mongolia to 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.

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 (Policy, Strategy and Delivery), CSD (Climate Strategy and Delivery) 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. 

Accountabilities & Responsibilities
The range of accountabilities and responsibilities may include the following:

•    Monitor and assess growth and reform progress in Central Asia and Mongolia; 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, with a particular focus on those related to transport and regional connectivity in Kazakhstan and the rest of the Central Asia and Mongolia, 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 management 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 Central Asia and Mongolia 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.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

•    Motivation – demonstrated strong commitment to, and understanding of, the Bank’s transition agenda. Willingness to travel within the region.
•    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 Central Asia and Mongolia. Work experience in Kazakhstan, experience working on other countries of Central Asia and Mongolia a strong plus.
•    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; excellent interpersonal skills.
•    Language/Technical – excellent written and spoken English and Russian. Familiarity with other local languages would be very advantageous. Computer literate (advanced Excel, PowerPoint and Word).

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).