Associate Director, Board & institutional Affairs, Office of the Secretary General

Purpose of Job

The Associate Director supports the Director and Secretary General in guiding and steering engagement with the EBRD Board of Directors, overseeing the development and delivery of their strategic work programme, and managing a high-performing multi-cultural team of 9.

Through management of the Board Steering Group, and oversight of all Board and Committee meetings, the role facilitates decision-making processes and institutional initiatives across departments.

The position plays a crucial role in ensuring effective governance on all decisions taken by the Board of Directors and supports the President as Chair of the Board.

To be effective, the Associate Director needs to be regarded as a trusted and impartial adviser by both management and the Board Directors.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Board and Institutional Affairs team and act as Secretary to the Board Steering Group, including:

             - Lead, manage and co-ordinate the BIA team members who are responsible for the planning, agenda setting, management and secretariat 

               functions of all meetings of the EBRD’s Board of Directors (Board meetings, Committees, Workshops, Information Sessions etc. This

               amounts to between 160/170 meetings per year). This includes reviewing Board of Directors minutes.

             - Preparing forward-looking briefings on the often politically sensitive and complex issues in these meetings.

             - Ensuring effective pre-and post-Board of Directors coordination and follow-up. Managing the monthly Board Steering Group to discuss key 

               forward look agenda items for the Committees (Audit & Risk, Budget and Administrative Affairs and Financial and Operations Policies) and 

               managing the Board and Committee commitments tracker.

             - Support and advise the Director and Secretary General on internal/external strategic and corporate governance issues concerning the Board 

               of Directors.  

             - Manage and lead the BIA team of 9, including 4 direct reports (3 x Principals, 1 Associate) and overview of the workload of 1 Analyst, 2 

               Senior Officers and 1 Officer.

• In areas of responsibility, contribute to good governance and sound decision-making by:

             - Providing advice on smooth decision making on all key strategic issues facing the Board of Directors.

             - Ensuring efficient information flow between relevant stakeholders. The EBRD BoD has 23 resident Directors, 23 Alternate Directors and some 30 Board Advisers. Along with the Assistants in each office, this means that OSG has a direct “client base” of some 100 people who are resident in the Bank, not including management.

             - Proactively identify and resolve potential cross-cutting issues before they escalate, working effectively while keeping the Director and 

               Secretary General appropriately informed.

• The Associate Director oversees all work streams taken forward by their team members. Core to this are the meetings of the Board of Directors and their Committees, but it also includes:

              - The induction of new Board Directors, Alternate Directors and Advisers (as appropriate);

              - Ensuring that the EBRD’s Corporate Governance procedures and processes are codified, kept updated and complied with;

              - Ensuring good information flows between management and the respective Governance organs (Board of Governors, Board of Directors

                etc.), including oversight of the delivery and constant improvement of the operationally critical Pegasus Board Portal software;

              - Actively resolving issues and advising on governance, policy and operational related matters as and when they come up.

              - Act as Secretary to the Board Steering Group working closely with the Chair on coordinating the Board of Directors work programme.

              - Oversight of the Board Consultation Visits.

• Direct accountability for 3 Principals and 1 Associate including:

             - Recruitment, Performance management and Career development and coaching

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Comprehensive understanding of the EBRD and its mandate. Demonstrable experience of working in an IFI / multilateral institution on governance, political and regulatory matters as well as a strong understanding of the broad range of their operations, internal processes and challenges.
• Direct and broad experience of interactions with senior stakeholders, most notably Boards of Directors and Executive Committee members.
• First class interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build and leverage relationships of trust and integrity across departmental boundaries.  Engages effectively and discreetly to build consensus with senior stakeholders, including in other IFIs.
• Strong team player with solutions-oriented approach to complex challenges and a high degree of political and cultural awareness.
• Proven diplomatic and influencing skills with the ability to manage complex institutional relationships and navigate political sensitivities.
• Experienced at managing people in a multilateral, multilingual organisation, including coaching and leadership skills.
• Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills, with the proven ability to perform effectively under pressure, paying attention to detail and to tight deadlines. A strong sense of when to consult with others and/or escalate issues. 
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and orally.
• Some travel to the Bank’s countries of operations may be required.

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).