AD, Head of Procurement Portfolio

Purpose of Job

The Head of Procurement Portfolio has overall responsibility for the provision of procurement related oversight and, where appropriate, advisory operational support in respect of the Bank’s public and private sector operations. This includes oversight of the appraisal of the proposed procurement, and any associated implementation arrangements during the project approval process to ascertain if these are consistent with the requirements of the Bank’s Procurement Policies and Rules (PPR), Guidance Notes, PPD’s Operational Standards and the Bank’s Operations Manual. A key aspect of the role is to serve as a guardian of the Bank’s policies, high standards and integrity of the Bank’s operations, as well as to promote best international procurement and contracting practices

The Head of Procurement Portfolio primarily interacts with the PPD Heads of Procurement Unit, the PPD country-allocated Project Implementation Advisers (PIA), which are jointly responsible for establishing the procurement and associated implementation arrangements for both private and public sector operations and elaborating these procedures and arrangements in internal project approval documentation and Banking. The Head of Procurement Portfolio reports directly to the Director, Project Procurement.

Background

Since its inception in 1991, in its countries of operation, The Bank has invested more than EUR 215 billion in over 7,600 projects in the public and private sector. PPD’s key role is to ensure that all Bank-financed procurement is conducted efficiently, transparently and in compliance with the Bank’s PPRs, keeping procurement aligned with the Bank’s principles and vision and supporting better development outcomes. PPAD provides fiduciary oversight, strategic support, and policy advice across the project lifecycle. Through its oversight and advisory role, PPD ensures that procurement risks are properly assessed and managed within the credit process.  In doing so, PPD screens all projects submitted for the consideration of management to ensure that all relevant issues with regards to the compliance with the EBRD Procurement Policy are identified early and addressed through adequate procurement planning and structuring.

The Head of Procurement Portfolio oversees the PPD review of proposed procurement and implementation arrangements for all Bank‑financed operations and provides leadership for the team responsible for environmental and social considerations within the procurement workstream.

The role includes identifying actions required to ensure that the proposed tendering, contracting, and implementation processes fully comply with the PPR, and that project implementation risks are properly identified, mitigated, and monitored during the project design stage. The Head of Procurement Portfolio also contributes to the quality assurance of Bank‑financed operations through the PPAD Policy Selective Review Process, as well as through structured feedback sessions that capture and disseminate lessons learned.

Facts / Scale

• The current annual value of Bank-financed operations in the public and private sector is circa. EUR 16 billion.
• In a typical week, the Head of Procurement Portfolio may oversee the review of between 30 and 40 public and private submissions in various stages of the internal project review process, for review and analysis and recording in the Bank’s internal systems.
• Leads and manages a team of at least 5 procurement professionals and administrative staff.
• The role interfaces with senior management, internal governance committees, and the Bank’s Board of Directors, internal and, where appropriate, external stakeholders.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Leadership and team management:

• Lead, develop, and manage a high-performing team of professional procurement staff, ensuring capability development, accountability, and delivery against agreed objectives and KPIs.
• Promote and role model corporate behaviours and institutional values.

Procurement Advisory and Portfolio management

• Manage the PPAD-Policy review of all New Transaction Notifications (NTNs), Concept Review Memorandum (CRMs), Structure Review Memorandum (SRMs), Final Review Memorandum (FRMs), Grant Reviews, and any other internal documentation submitted to OpsCom/SBIC/Board/Delegated Authority for all public and private sector operations and formulate PPD-Policy official position regarding the proposed procurement classification, risk classifications, and procurement/implementation arrangements and their compliance with the Bank’s PPR ensuring that all comments are appropriately recorded in Bank internal systems (i.e. Monarch/DTM etc) as applicable.

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate procurement risks in the internal project review process, ensuring   appropriate controls and escalation mechanisms are in place from design through to completion and provide structured feedback to the PPD Operation Teams, through a regular monthly check-in meeting, in respect of best practice and lessons learnt.
• Provide structured feedback to the PPD Operation Teams, through a regular monthly check-in meeting, in respect of best practice and lessons learnt in undertaking the above tasks.
• Represent PPD-Policy at internal project approval forums such as Risk Pre-Ops, Pre-Ops, OpsCom, FOPC, ARC and Board Meetings, as and when necessary or required.
• Provision of advice on operational issues and/or interpretation of the PPR in connection with such issues and subsequent referral to the Procurement Forum, responsible for ensuring the consistency of PPD’s decision-making process across the procurement function. Undertake the role of a voting member of the PPD Procurement Forum
• Provision of an operational/PPR compliance perspective regarding any Request for Bank Reviews submitted under the Bank’s Procurement Reviews and Complaints Directive.
• Overall responsibility for PPD Operational Standards and providing sign-offs, where applicable, as designated by the Procurement Director under the PPD approval matrix and for maintaining the procurement/implementation provisions in the Bank’s Operations Manual.
• Lead the PPD-Policy Selective Review Process for all contracts estimated to cost more than EUR 100 million in line with PPD Guidance: Project Implementation Risk Management and Quality Assurance in Procurement.
• Oversee procurement performance across the portfolio and report on risks, compliance, and outcomes to senior management and governance bodies.

Procurement Reform and Change Management

• Act as a change leader, driving the design and implementation of upstream (policy, strategy, planning) and downstream (implementation, contract management) procurement reforms.
• Lead and champion procurement transformation initiatives to enhance efficiency, transparency, and delivery outcomes.
• Drive the adoption and institutionalisation of leading Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) procurement best practices across the portfolio.

Stakeholder Engagement and Influence

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal (PPAD and ESD, GEI and CSD) and external stakeholders, including senior management, clients, and co-financing institutions, ensuring that policies and processes are in place that support effective collaboration between these departments for effective project preparation and implementation related to procurement aspects and supervise the development of rules, guidelines, tools, and templates to standardise the incorporation of environmental and social (E&S) standards in procurement activities.
• Influence decision-making and ensure alignment on procurement strategies and outcomes.
• Represent the Bank in MDB Heads of Procurement - Sustainable Public Procurement working groups and at international conferences and events related to sustainable procurement and ensure that staff, clients, and representatives of the business community are being kept up to date on EBRD sustainable procurement activities and monitor the development of training opportunities for staff and clients on E&S considerations in procurement processes.

Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Monitor procurement performance and report on risks, compliance, and outcomes to senior management and governance bodies
• Drive continuous improvement of procurement policies, processes, and tools to enhance operational effectiveness.

Communication and Documentation Quality

• Ensure all procurement documentation is clear, well-structured, and compliant with institutional standards, tailored to the audience and clearly articulated.
• Ensuring communications are clear, consistent, and accessible.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

• In-depth understanding of EBRD’s PPR (or a similar MDB’s procurement rules) and associated Guidance.
• Proven role model for collaboration and delivering effective solutions relating to both people and technical matters,
• Substantial practical experience in the development of project delivery strategies for complex infrastructure projects, and in-depth knowledge of internationally accepted forms of contract (for example, FIDIC/NEC etc).
• Extensive practical experience in both public and private sector procurement and project implementation in an MDB environment, within emerging market or transitioning economies, with a strong understanding of risk management and modern procurement best practices.
• Substantial experience in the practical application EBRD’s PPR (or a similar MDB’s procurement rules) and associated Guidance.
• Experience in the application and/or review of complex procurement procedures involving the review of value for money/total cost of ownership (life-cycle costing), end of life disposal or replacement aspects, would be advantageous.
• Demonstrable considerable experience in policy development and knowledge dissemination concerning sustainable public procurement and the related discussions and initiatives by MDBs.
• Experience in leading and developing teams.
• Track record of mitigating conflicts and demonstrating balanced and inclusive behaviour

Skills

• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to delivery clear, concise, and fit for purpose messages, tailored to diverse audiences and presented in a structured and streamlined manner.
• Demonstrate proven people and team management skills, preferably in a multi-cultural and geographically dispersed organisation.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess data and make informed decisions.
• High level accountability and decision-making capability.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, fluency in another working language of the Bank would be advantageous.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, fast-changing, and multicultural environments including the management competing priorities to support project delivery.

Education and Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Finance, Law, Engineering, or related field.
• Professional certification (e.g. CIPS or equivalent) would be advantageous.

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).