Associate, Sustainable Business and Infrastructure

Purpose of Job

The Associate, Sustainable Business and Infrastructure will independently deliver defined technical and analytical workstreams supporting the development and implementation of EBRD investments, advisory activities and policy engagements under the GET 2030 agenda. Working primarily across the urban, including water, and transport systems, the Associate will assess and help strengthen the technical, climate and sustainability aspects of infrastructure projects and programmes, including their alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The role will apply systems thinking to connect individual investments with wider infrastructure networks, institutions, markets and transition pathways, and will contribute to the development of methodologies, technical assistance, policy dialogue and knowledge products that support systemic green transition.

Background

The Associate will work within the Sustainable Infrastructure team, supporting infrastructure investments and related policy and advisory activities across EBRD countries of operations. The role will have a primary focus on the urban system, including water supply, wastewater, resource efficiency, waste, urban resilience and integrated urban development. The Associate will work across the interdependencies between these systems and other areas relevant to GET 2030, including energy, buildings, industry, transport, agribusiness, finance, climate adaptation, nature and digitalisation. The precise balance of work will evolve according to operational priorities and the Associate’s technical expertise.

Facts / Scale

The Associate will report to an Associate Director in Sustainable Business and Infrastructure (SBI) and will work closely with Banking teams, other CSD functions, ESD, Climate Risk, Impact and relevant policy and specialist teams. The role will support a substantial and diverse portfolio of infrastructure transactions and will independently manage defined analytical and technical workstreams across multiple projects at different stages of the project cycle. It will also contribute to, and where appropriate manage discrete components of, policy dialogue, technical cooperation, methodology development and knowledge activities. The role requires the ability to prioritise competing assignments, maintain technical quality and deliver clear advice within Bank timelines.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The Associate may work across different infrastructure systems according to business needs, with a primary orientation towards urban, water and transport systems. The Associate will:

• Independently deliver defined technical and analytical workstreams across the EBRD project cycle, providing timely and well-evidenced advice to Banking teams and other internal stakeholders.
• Review infrastructure projects and programmes under EBRD’s Green Economy Transition approach, assess alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement and evaluate relevant physical climate, transition and other climate-related financial risks.
• Undertake and review technical analysis, including assessment of infrastructure needs, technology and design options, system performance, costs and benefits, resource and emissions impacts, climate resilience and implementation risks.
• Apply systems thinking to identify dependencies and interactions between infrastructure assets, networks, institutions, users, markets and policy frameworks, and to connect project-level interventions with wider urban, water and transport transition pathways.
• Support the structuring of investments and technical cooperation to improve green impact, technical quality, operational performance and long-term sustainability, including through appropriate monitoring indicators and implementation arrangements.
• Contribute to policy dialogue, regulatory and market assessments and upstream planning that address barriers to investment and support the development of integrated, low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure systems.
• Support the preparation and implementation of green transition strategies, action plans and pathways for cities, utilities, transport authorities and operators, drawing connections between investment priorities, institutional capacity and policy reform.
• Lead or contribute to the development and application of SBI methodologies, analytical tools, guidance and standardised approaches, including those relating to climate adaptation, infrastructure decarbonisation and systems-level assessment.
• Manage technical consultants and defined technical cooperation assignments, including preparation of terms of reference, review of technical deliverables, quality assurance and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Engage with public and private sector clients, government authorities, utilities, transport operators, consultants, donors and development partners, communicating technical findings clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Produce concise, decision-useful briefings, presentations and technical notes for project teams, senior management and external stakeholders.
• Maintain strong knowledge of relevant technologies, infrastructure practices, policy and regulatory developments, market trends and approaches used by other international financial institutions and share this knowledge across SBI and CSD.
• Contribute actively to cross-team collaboration, knowledge sharing and the development of reusable tools and approaches, while taking increasing ownership for delivery and supporting junior colleagues where appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• A relevant postgraduate degree, or equivalent professional qualification, in civil, environmental, mechanical, transport or systems engineering; urban or infrastructure planning; environmental economics is desirable; or another closely related technical discipline. 
• Relevant professional experience in the preparation, appraisal, design, implementation or operation of infrastructure investments, preferably in emerging markets or developing-country contexts. 
• Demonstrable technical expertise in at least one relevant sustainable infrastructure area, preferably urban infrastructure, water and wastewater, urban mobility or transport, together with the ability and interest to work across adjacent infrastructure sectors. 
• Strong understanding of infrastructure systems, including the interaction between physical assets, service delivery, institutions, regulation, finance, users and environmental and climate constraints. 
• Experience undertaking or reviewing technical due diligence, feasibility studies, options analysis, cost-benefit analysis, climate or environmental assessment, infrastructure planning or related analytical work. 
• Strong quantitative and analytical capability, including the ability to interrogate assumptions, work with technical and financial data, assess costs and benefits and translate analysis into clear recommendations. 
• Understanding of climate mitigation, climate adaptation and resilience, resource efficiency and environmental sustainability as they apply to infrastructure investments and systems. 
• Familiarity with green finance frameworks and approaches, including climate-finance attribution, Paris Agreement alignment and the use of transition plans, pathways and action plans to support investment and policy decisions. 
• Ability to apply systems thinking, identify cross-sector dependencies and trade-offs, synthesise complex information and exercise sound judgement where information is incomplete or uncertain. 
• Working knowledge of infrastructure policy, regulation, market structures and institutional arrangements, and of how policy dialogue and technical assistance can enable investment and improve sector performance. 
• Strong digital and data literacy, including effective use of analytical, visualisation and emerging digital tools. Familiarity with the appropriate use of artificial intelligence in research, analysis and knowledge management would be an advantage. 
• Ability to manage defined workstreams and consultant assignments, maintain quality and process discipline, and deliver multiple assignments within agreed deadlines. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including the ability to explain technical issues clearly to non-technical audiences and prepare concise material for decision-makers. 
• Strong collaboration, stakeholder-management and relationship-building skills, including the ability to work effectively with Banking teams, technical specialists, clients, public authorities, consultants and development partners. 
• Ability to work independently while recognising when issues, risks or uncertainties require escalation, and a proactive approach to learning, problem-solving and taking ownership of delivery. 
• Experience in EBRD countries of operations and knowledge of another language used in those countries would be an advantage. 
• Familiarity with EBRD or another international financial institution, development finance institution or relevant development agency would be advantageous.

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).