Associate, Legal, Procurement Policy and Advisory Department

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is seeking a detail-oriented and driven Associate, Legal to join its Procurement Policy and Advisory Department (PPAD). This is a fantastic opportunity for a legal professional to engage in meaningful policy development and advisory work that supports public sector project implementation across our countries of operation.

About the Department
The Procurement Policy and Advisory Department (PPAD) is responsible for overseeing the application and development of the Bank’s Procurement Policies and Rules (PPR) for Bank-financed projects. PPAD provides strategic and operational support to both internal staff and clients, ensuring efficient, transparent, and compliant procurement and contract implementation. The team plays a key role in the Bank’s policy dialogue with external stakeholders and maintains strong partnerships with international organisations including the World Bank, EIB, ADB, UNCITRAL, WTO GPA, and others.
PPAD currently supports over 300 public sector projects, monitoring around 2,000 contracts valued above EUR 20 billion, and advises on about 300 new contracts annually worth over EUR 3 billion.

Key Responsibilities

• Conducting legal research on a range of topics, including public procurement, eligibility restrictions, and sanctions.
• Assisting in drafting procurement-related policies and underlying regulatory documents such as directives and guidance notes.
• Contributing to the development and updating of EBRD’s standard procurement documents, project implementation agreements, and other legal materials.
• Creating and maintaining standardised templates and policy documents.
• Processing and reviewing procurement-related complaints from participants in procurement processes under EBRD’s PPR.
• Recording and tracking the progress and outcome of procurement-related complaints and contribute to related Board reporting.
• Supporting OCCO (Office of the Chief Compliance Officer) in investigations into allegations of prohibited practices.
• Coordinating and helping disseminate lessons learned from procurement complaints and investigations, including through presentations and training.
• Providing legal advice to EBRD staff on procurement matters.
• Contributing to procurement-related policy dialogue with EBRD countries of operations, including reviewing procurement laws and strategies for engagement.
• Representing EBRD at international conferences, working groups, and events on relevant legal topics.
• Supporting the Associate Director, Legal, and Director, PPAD, on special initiatives, projects, and ad hoc tasks.

Required Skills and Experience

• A postgraduate degree (LLM or equivalent) in law, or a first-level university law degree with relevant work experience.
• A minimum of 3 years’ legal experience in an international law firm or international organisation.
• Experience in litigation, international arbitration, international construction disputes, or public procurement (preferred).
• Experience in policy dialogue and interactions with senior officials in country authorities, MDBs, or other international organisations (desired).
• Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating legal agreements, policies, and other legal documents.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to clearly present legal issues and solutions.
• Understanding of International Financial Institution (IFI) procurement procedures (preferred).
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; knowledge of other EBRD working languages is a plus.

Why Join EBRD?

• Contribute to impactful, sustainable development projects across more than 30 countries.
• Collaborate with a diverse and international team of experts.
• Gain exposure to high-level policy development and international legal frameworks.
• Work in a values-driven organisation committed to transparency, fairness, and excellence.
• Enjoy a dynamic work environment with learning, development, and career growth opportunities.

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).