Associate

Role Overview

The EBRD’s Office of the General Counsel is at the core of the EBRD’s mandate to support the transition process in 38 economies from the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Office of the General Counsel handles all legal aspects of the EBRD’s lending and investment transactions, provides legal advice for institutional and administrative matters, and implements legal technical assistance programmes to support law reform in the region.

The Office of the General Counsel is seeking an outstanding lawyer to join the department’s Associate Programme. Associates have the opportunity to contribute appropriate country, language and academic knowledge to support the institution and facilitate its operations.  The role will be based in London.

The successful candidate will be offered a 3 year fixed term contract, beginning on 1 September 2025.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The team to which the Associate will be assigned is OGC Finance which handles legal aspects of the Bank’s borrowing operations under the Bank’s Global MTN programme, commercial paper issuing programme and other types of funding operations both in the international capital markets and in the Bank’s region of operations;  derivatives and capital market operations in established and emerging markets (including derivatives, repo and other master agreements) and any other Treasury matters requiring legal advice.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Candidates from the following jurisdictions are eligible to apply:  Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and West Bank & Gaza.

Candidates are expected to have:

• A law degree from a leading university and preferably a post graduate law degree (e.g. LLM) from a leading university in a second jurisdiction.
• Not less than two years prior work experience as a lawyer in an international law firm or in-house legal team of a top commercial/investment bank or international organisation ensuring familiarity with the areas of practice referenced above, including conducting legal research, drafting and negotiating legal documentation.
• Demonstrable experience in international capital markets (e.g., debt capital markets, derivatives, structured finance etc.).
• Excellent command of written and spoken English. Fluency in an additional language, such as French, would be an asset.
• Excellent project management skills, ability to monitor and follow up on many activities concurrently under time constraints and ability to understand and manage priorities. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and client focus.

*Screening and shortlisting will be in May 2025* Start date will be in September 2025

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).