Associate Director, Blended Finance, Strategy, Analysis and Communications

Purpose of Job

EBRD’s engagement with donors has increased in both scale and depth in recent years with some 50 multilateral and bilateral donors currently supporting the organisation, and more than half of the Bank’s investments now drawing on donor support. Donor support, in the form of grants and blended finance for investments, advisory services or policy reform, has become an integral part of EBRD’s business model and crucial to help the Bank deliver on its transition mandate.

This post plays a key role in shaping EBRD’s donor agenda and strategic relations with its growing donor community as the Bank expands into new regions and embarks on a new Strategic and Capital Framework period (2026-2030). The Associate Director is in charge of establishing effective and impactful strategies, policies and related guidelines for the Bank’s broader donor agenda. The post holder also leads on analysing global development and blended finance trends and bring this knowledge to the Bank and will lead the Blended Finance Hub in the Impact & Partnership Group of the Bank. This involves having good understanding of the Bank’s donor support needs and aligning these with donor priorities. The role also includes producing a variety of analysis and financial data to capture the Bank’s use of donor resources and engagement with donors and reporting and communicating on this through an array of products and events to both internal and external audiences.

The post holder will lead a team of staff and form part of Donor Partnership’s management team. They will engage with multiple departments and colleagues across EBRD, with frequent external outreach and stakeholder engagement in the broader donor community and with actors on the international donor scene. Equally, there will be engagement with the Bank’s shareholders on donor-related topics.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The Associate Director will:

• Ensure EBRD has an effective and impactful policy framework and a clear strategy for working with donors based on best international practice, reflecting key trends in the global development agenda and fully aligned with the Bank’s five year Strategic and Capital Framework (SCF) and key policies. This involves leading the design of donor-related policies and overseeing their implementation plus developing related guidelines and processes. In 2024, work will commence on the design of a new 2026-2030 Donor Strategy;           

• Lead the Blended Finance Hub.  The post holder will work alongside banking colleagues in the design of effective blended finance structures working across teams, in line with the DFI Principles for Blended Finance. They will also be on the forefront of strategic engagement and fundraising, in close collaboration with banking teams and with donors and raise awareness of blended finance options and structures in the Bank and provide relevant analysis. They will profile the Bank’s role in broader blended finance debates and represent EBRD in external fora and engage with key IFI/DFI stakeholders on this subject;

• Ensure the Bank has wide access to timely and high-quality data and analysis on its use of donor funds and broader donor engagement for purposes of needs analysis, strategy development, planning as well as external stakeholder engagement and communication. This involves both demand-driven, ad hoc analysis and financial information and the generation of topical analysis and guidance that reflects new global development trends. The role entails setting up systems and tools to facilitate the generation of financial data, analysis and effective metrics. The team produces an Annual Donor Report that captures the Bank’s aggregate use of donor support and the results received thereof, and will provide donor-related inputs to EBRD’s new Impact Report; 

• Represent the Bank in international donor fora like the OECD, UN events on SDGs and Aid Effectiveness, and IFI working groups on blended finance. Represent the Bank in various international working groups on broader donor and development-related topics making sure EBRD’s views and experience is effectively represented, and emerging policy priorities are well understood in the Bank;

• Contribute to strategic planning of the Bank’s donor agenda, to ensure it is an integral part of the Bank’s business and strategic direction and meets its need for external support. This will involve being accountable towards and working with banking and policy teams to strategically scope and determine the Bank’s need for donor funds and grant resources, considering the role of donor support in the Bank’s mobilisation plans and ensuring alignment between donor aspects and the Bank’s priorities. Such needs shall be incorporated in the corporate planning processes and strategic implementation plans, country and sector strategies and relevant policies;

• Support DP’s plans for engaging in Expansion Countries. The postholder will organise a strategy for the Bank’s donor outreach to secure financial support and active engagement as EBRD rolls out its activities in seven new countries starting in 2025. This involves developing analysis and plans for an effective outreach strategy and supporting colleagues in their early engagement with donors.

• Ensure effective and impactful engagement and communication with the Bank’s donors.  Cooperate with colleagues in DP to ensure the Bank’s communication of its work with donors and use of donor funds is of high quality and results focused, and in line with best development practice. Lead on organising key events, including the Annual Donor Meeting, outreach to the Bank’s donor community and development of communication tools that facilitate deep and regular information sharing and interaction.
• Develop and manage effective internal communication tools plus organise various forms of information sharing and training of staff on donor related aspects through the establishment of a Donor Academy;  
• Manage and lead a team of staff, including recruitment, goal setting, regular monitoring and guidance, performance assessment, coaching and staff development. This involves motivating staff and creating an inspirational working climate;
• Contribute to the effective and successful management of Donor Partnerships and the Bank’s donor agenda as part of the leadership team. Contribute to the development of corporate requests and various cross-Donor Partnerships products and exercises.

• Champion and role model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring adherence within the team(s) so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times.

Qualifications & Skills / Experience & Knowledge

Experience:

• Extensive work experience (15 years) and knowledge of working with donors and international development cooperation, in both a bilateral and multilateral context;
• Extensive experience in international development finance and blended finance. Experience with project finance and financial structuring of projects to fit the mandate of a private investment facing International Development Financial Institution would be an advantage.
• Experience working for / with Development Financial Institutions/Multilateral Development Banks;
• Strong leadership skills. Proven successful experience in leading and managing people and guiding and motivating teams (at least 5 years);

Knowledge:

• Deep understanding of the global development agenda and blended finance debate, donor policy priorities, global aid architecture and best practice for use of donor funds;
• Good understanding of blended finance structures
• Deep understanding of results-based approaches to management of donor funds and international best development practice in the area of aid effectiveness;
• Understanding and familiarity with EBRD’s business model, blended finance structuring, development finance tools and region of operation is an advantage;

Qualifications:

• Post-graduate/Masters in areas such as international development cooperation, international relations, development finance, economics.  

Skills:

• Analytical skills and proven ability to draw on analysis to shape new policies and strategies related to international development cooperation;
• Strong communication skills and fluency in global development issues, knowledge of latest outreach tools and experience in engaging and communicating effectively with donors;
• Excellent partnership skills and inter-personal skills. A team builder with proven experience in building networks and teams and engaging effectively in international fora;

• Ability to perform efficiently and effectively in highly demanding working environments and meet very tight deadlines.

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.