Director, Head of Climate Strategy and Regional Delivery

The Director, Head of Climate Strategy and Regional Delivery forms part of the leadership group for the Green Economy and Climate Action (GECA) team. The Director leads the GECA Strategy and Regional Delivery (CSRD) team which has responsibility for delivery of GECA business development and policy dialogue in the Bank's countries of operation, formulating the Bank's high-level climate and green strategy and delivery of cross-cutting climate and green policy dialogue. In addition the CSRD team is responsible for supporting the rest of the GECA team and the Bank with climate data and analytics.

The purpose of the role is accordingly to ensure delivery of the GECA team's objectives in this area, to provide strong and engaged leadership for the CSRD team and to be part of the overall GECA team leadership group, providing support, advice and strategic insights to the Managing Director and the other directors in the team.

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Director will demonstrate high commitment to the Bank’s mandate and institutional goals combined with the ability to create an environment conducive to technical excellence, lead strategic thinking for the sector, and provide leadership with a consistent approach towards staff, clients, and shareholders.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Lead, in close collaboration with the rest of the GECA leadership team, the formulation of the Bank's overarching climate and green strategy, including monitoring the implementation of the Green Economy Transition Approach and preparing for the refresh of that approach in 2025.
• Lead the GECA team's in-country network based across the Bank's Resident Offices, with responsibility for (1) supporting Banking and other colleagues on the ground with green business development and in-country policy dialogue, (2) acting as the "gateway" to the sector-specific GECA teams for Bank Resident Office colleagues and (3) providing green and climate input to the formulation of country strategies and operational approaches.
• Work closely with the Bank's five Regional Managing Directors (Central Asia, Turkey, Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus and Central and South Eastern Europe) and their respective teams to ensure (1) delivery of those groups' annual targets for green investment volumes, and (2) an efficient, robust, transparent and consistent assessment for their regions of green finance, Paris Agreement alignment, climate risk and economic costs and benefits.
• Define, together with the Bank's country Heads of Office and other GECA Directors, annual policy compacts identifying the green and climate policy priorities, and associated resources and actions, for each country of operation, with a particular focus on support for those countries of operations in the implementation of long-term strategies and sector-specific low carbon pathways. While the sector specific expertise will be provided by other GECA teams, the CSRD team will be accountable for ensuring the delivery of those compacts.
• In cooperation with the Managing Director GECA represent the Bank in international climate forums, including the UNFCCC and COP process, and in engagement with other IFIs and key shareholders. Lead in devising and implementing the Bank's engagement with developments in international climate policy and the positioning of the Bank in those developments.
• Oversee the Bank's strategic engagement with climate finance. Working in close cooperation with the Bank's donor cooperation and partnership teams develop and implement a strategy for effective fundraising to support the Bank's climate activities.
• Oversee the implementation of cross-cutting green and climate-related policy dialogue that does not fall within the sectoral focus of the other GECA teams.
• Ensure the development and implementation of a credible methodology for the economic assessment of high-emitting projects, including the setting and utilisation of a robust shadow carbon price. Support the GECA sector teams in the practical application of that methodology.
• Ensure the close monitoring and analysis of climate and green policy developments at national, regional (especially the EU) and supranational level. Maintain high quality data and related analysis of climate information. Ensure the regular dissemination to the Bank's management and key internal stakeholders of all new developments.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive green and climate training plan for the Bank, to ensure widespread understanding of key concepts and related opportunities.
• Promote innovation across the relevant sectors to create opportunities for new investments and reforms.
• Originate and maintain key relationships in the relevant sectors, across clients, investors, authorities, industry bodies, other IFIs and other stakeholders. Represent the Bank in this context including at relevant conferences and events.
• Provide inputs to the Bank's country and sector strategies, as well as other applicable policies and strategies, in the areas covered by the team.
• Define the team's strategic direction and operational goals in its sector. Advise the Managing Director on all sector related operational and strategic matters, prepare proposals for the annual business plan and budget and provide inputs for business plans.
• Act as a key member of the GECA leadership group, working with the Managing Director and other Directors to define and promote a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence across the GECA group and with other stakeholders in the Bank, maximising synergies.
• Accountable for the engagement and effective overall management of the CSRD team including recruitment, compensation, performance management, coaching and development. Where matrix reporting is in place, work jointly with the country counterpart when setting objectives and completing performance appraisals for relevant staff.
• Champion and role model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring adherence within the team so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong, engaged manager and leader. Ability to motivate team performance through a people centred approach to management. Coaching, mentoring and leadership skills.
• Strong capacity for innovation and a demonstrated ability to challenge the status quo and drive new areas of business and policy.
• Deep understanding of climate-related investment and policy.
• Either an academic background in economics or demonstrated familiarity with environmental economics.
• Strong organisational and management skills. Ability to manage a number of varied and complex tasks, resilient attitude towards conflicting priorities and challenges.
• Highly developed communication and negotiation skills suited for a wide variety of people at high level both inside and outside the Bank.
• Ability to listen to the views of business partners and to be sensitive to and understand cultural differences, transition success factors and the complexity of political constraints in the countries of operations.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Experience and Knowledge:

• Significant number of years of relevant experience at a major merchant/investment, commercial or development bank, private equity firm, industrial company, asset management firm or auditing/financial consulting firm operating to international standards; or equivalent experience at a governmental or supranational body or authority.
• Substantial experience in climate-related issues including a deep engagement with international climate policy and stakeholders as well as strong relationships in that area.
• Experience across a number of different countries and contexts, demonstrating a capacity to operate effectively in a range of environments and respond effectively to rapidly changing circumstances.
• Extensive experience of leading complex transactions through the full project life cycle.
• Proven track record of delivering both business and policy outcomes in a tough and challenging environment.
• Experience of and judgement on integrity matters.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a business and a team.
• Experience in the Bank's region and/or fluency in a language of one or more of the Bank's countries of operations are desirable but not essential.

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.