Associate Director, EU Donor Funds

Purpose of Job

To help the Bank access intra-EU funding to promote transition in its EU Countries of Operations through investment and policy engagement, with a focus on the new InvestEU programme as well the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), Just Transition Funds (JTF), the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and other existing or emerging EU instruments.

The incumbent will lead a small team and a large cross-Bank effort to work with the InvestEU programme and other intra-EU programmes across the full cycle of developing, negotiating and implementing financial and advisory products. The success of the incumbent will be measured by: (i) the successful deployment of the financial and advisory products under InvestEU, in line with the Bank’s corporate scorecard and relevant country strategies, (ii) the extent to which EBRD is successful in accessing the other intra-EU funding instruments available to EBRD, and (iii) the establishment of an improved internal control system for intra-EU funds.

The post holder will be the main EBRD contact with the European Commission on all intra-EU funds, and will build and maintain a good network of contacts in relevant Directorate Generals.  The postholder will also work closely with the EBRD Brussels Office, and will be involved in discussions on the EU’s next Multi Annual Financial Framework (MFF), including on the design of the successor instrument to InvestEU.  And the postholder will work closely with EBRD RO Heads, to ensure that relevant EBRD colleagues are fully aware of the opportunities presented through InvestEU.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The Associate Director will be the EBRD lead EBRD staff member on InvestEU, and will lead a team of DP colleagues that focus on accessing and managing and reporting on both InvestEU funds and other intra-EU donor funding.  

In addition, the Associate Director will co-ordinate very closely with InvestEU-focussed Banking and other colleagues, to ensure that the Bank meets its obligations, and delivers appropriately. The AD will work very closely with Banking. For example, coming up with innovative solutions, structuring of transactions, shaping up proposals. The AD will be proactive in keeping bankers informed of all available solutions for their transactions, available funding streams, and will include them in meetings, and actively seek their inputs.

Further the Associate Director will work closely with the Managing Director for Central and South Eastern Europe, represent EBRD in various fora and EU meetings (such as the InvestEU Investment Committee), and brief senior management, as appropriate on all EU donor issues relating to EU member states.

The Associate Director will be responsible for scanning the donor horizon, identifying opportunities, lobbying for EBRD positions in all broader strategic and policy discussions about future EU-focussed funding tools and funding instruments.

The Associate Director will manage a team of DP colleagues that focus on the other EU instruments that support EU-focussed investments, including the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), Just Transition Funds (JTF), European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), the Technical Support Instrument, and the Connecting Europe Facility. Tasks will include people management responsibility for the DP colleagues focussing on intra-EU support.

The Associate Director will deliver on EBRD’s specific priorities with regard to InvestEU. These include:

• Exploring up to 5 potential InvestEU blending operations and, prepare, submit, agree and negotiate up to 3 new allocations / products. 
• Finalising Guarantee Agreement 4th Amendment and Contribution Agreement 2nd Amendment. Laying the groundwork for future applications under InvestEU Guarantee Fund.
• The production of an Operations Manual for InvestEU, which be the key document in ensuring EBRD compliance with InvestEU obligations.
• Focussing on continued diversification of EBRD users of guarantee, specifically on doing more in the RID / RTD space.
• Aligning the Bank’s internal approach to use of Guarantee Instruments inside EU countries and set the platform for future funding requests.
• Operationalising the full suite of possible InvestEU products by enabling hybrid/agency model to be used.
• Delivering key set-piece communications content (at IEU Conference etc…) and on-line in order to raise the Bank’s profile as a key Implementing Partner.
• Accelerating the embedding of Donor Unfunded Guarantees in the EBRD systems, and develop a post-2028 plan for EBRD commitments on InvestEU.

The Associate Director will also act as the compliance lead for the whole DP/EU team, working in close coordination with other EU-facing DP colleagues. The Associate Director will ensure that EBRD’s internal systems and processes are fit for purpose in order to ensure compliance with existing and new EU donor obligations across a range of EU-supported programmes. In order to fulfil this responsibility, the Associate Director will work with key corporate services (OGC, Risk, Financial Control, etc.) to design, and monitor the implementation of, appropriate processes, and compliance systems.

More generally, the Associate Director will contribute to broader cross-EU pillar work, including on the EU’s new Multi Annual Financial Framework as well ensuring the team respond promptly to corporate requests, briefing, communication products, etc. 

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Experience

• Extensive work experience (15 years) and knowledge of working with donors and international development cooperation, in a 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; 
• Understanding and familiarity with EBRD’s business model, blended finance structuring, development finance tools and region of operation;

Knowledge

• Good knowledge of the functioning of the European Institutions and of EU processes, and of EU donor requirements. 
• 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;
• Experience in structuring blended finance structure is an advantage;

Qualifications

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

Skills

• Strong commercial negotiation skills to conclude both term sheets and guarantee agreements with the EU.
• Strong networking, partnering and diplomatic skills to work with both the European Commission and teams across the Bank.
• Analytical skills and proven ability to draw on analysis to shape new policies and strategies related to international development cooperation;
• Excellent partnership skills and inter-personal skills. A team builder with proven experience in building networks and teams and engaging effectively in international fora.

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).