Energy Transition Associate

Purpose of Job

The Associate supports the implementation of the EBRD strategy towards green and climate finance through direct lending and policy activities, as part of the core responsibilities of the of the Sustainable Business and Infrastructure (SBI) department within the Climate Strategy and Delivery (CSD) group. 
Specific priorities include:
(i)    Contribute to new/ongoing work on origination and development of corporate-sector investment projects, particularly in the space of integrated energy systems incl. renewable electricity and fuels production, transportation, storage and distribution, sustainable gas infrastructure, decarbonisation and phase-out of fossil fuelled installations. This entails completing analytical research and technical assignments at the level of individual transactions (e.g. due diligence, risk assessment, consistency with the Bank’s policies and guidelines - in particular on Paris Agreement and green/climate finance) working in coordination with project teams and other departments.
(ii)    Contribute to new/ongoing team activities on country/regional programmatic policy dialogue and technical assistance assignments with policymakers aimed at fostering investment towards a systematic acceleration of climate ambition and delivery (such as sectoral decarbonisation pathways, transformation of networks for the uptake of renewables at scale, climate resilience in energy infrastructure, etc.) working in coordination with Bank’s teams and external stakeholders.
(iii)    Contribute to the origination of innovative market and financing instruments and cooperation facilities with external partnerships (incl. via Bank-led country and sector investment platforms) aimed at catalysing investment at scale towards economy-wide and sectoral energy transition solutions.

The Associate will be required to travel to clients’ locations and operations across the EBRD’s region. The role will include support to business/pipeline development, client management, policy dialogue, and implementation of dedicated donor funded programmes.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

GET investments and transactions:
•    Identify and review relevant data/statistical databases and indicators, market and technology reports, etc to help assess costs/benefits and plausibility of investment opportunities under consideration. In particular, the Associate will be responsible for activities on energy systems integration, energy networks and storage, synergies across energy supply chains (e.g.  Power-to-X) and between supply and demand (e.g. demand-side response, prosumers), technical and digital solutions for the carbon neutral energy systems of the future.
•    Work as a team member at transaction level to identify and review proposed investment programmes for climate and sustainable technologies, contributing to all aspects of project structuring, risk assessment and execution, including supporting the operation leader. This work importantly includes contributing to the due diligence processes to ensure the proposed investments meet the Bank’s guidelines and standards, importantly on consistency with the Bank’s policies and methodologies on Paris Agreement alignment, climate risk and GET eligibility/attribution.
•    In completing these tasks, the Associate will manage the outsourcing of consultancy assignments for specific tasks and analyses.
•    Support the team’s marketing and business development efforts towards the introduction of emerging energy solutions in the Bank’s Countries of Operation, via market and investment scoping studies, prefeasibility analysis and contribution to the origination of deal opportunities with clients.

GET policy dialogue:
•    In cooperation with the team and relevant other departments within the Bank, work on selected policy dialogue activities with market players, national and local authorities and industry associations, to improve the investment climate and strengthen the EBRD impact in the area of energy transition and sustainable finance.
•    Lead or contribute to the structuring and management of outsourced assignments for the implementation of technical assistance and policy services in relation to the Bank’s policy activities.
•    Complete market, policy and regulatory research on specific technologies and business solutions and their potential impact, as well as climate finance potential (including the use of concessional finance) on the EBRD’s Countries of Operation, applying data and information collected independently or via the Bank’s business and advisory activities.

Horizontal:
•    Create presentations and other communication materials that effectively present the analysis made to different audiences, including to the management and external audiences.
•    Lead and/or support on write-ups of analytical pieces and knowledge products (incl. newsletters, infographics, digital products) for internal and external capacity building and awareness raising, particularly related to the GET themes of relevance for Energy Transition and more broadly SBI. Where adequate, directly participate to industry forums, conferences, and working groups related to power networks and renewable energy integration.

The responsibilities of the Associate are designed to allow the person to progressively undertake more complex tasks and build the scope of responsibilities based on acquired experience and expertise. 

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Main qualifications, experience and skills
•    Relevant degree (Master and/or PhD), preferably within the range (or a mix) of engineering or environmental/climate sciences, energy economics, environmental economics or finance, statistics or econometrics, climate policy, international policy on sustainable development.
•    Significant professional experience over a period of at least 4-7 years and demonstrable track record of successful execution of relevant projects and activities gained from an engineering and/or consultancy organisation, a company operating in the energy, infrastructure or manufacturing sectors, a financial institution, equity fund, corporate finance firm.
•    Prior experience in business development, project planning of innovative investments is advantageous.
•    Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into actionable insights for investment decision makers.
•    Good understanding of climate change science and the approaches, methodologies, tools to assess physical climate risks and the implications of climate change in terms of economic and social impacts.
•    Understanding of business and finance principles.
•    Good understanding of methodologies for risk analysis. 
•    Good knowledge and understanding of the Paris Agreement.
•    Excellent computer literacy, with understanding of modelling, data management and processing. 
•    Interest/experience in emerging markets and developing countries would be advantageous.

Competences
•    Excellent written/oral communication skills in English and preferably in another language of the Bank (French, Russian or Arabic).
•    Ability to operate consistently within business guidelines and ethics and work sensitively in multicultural environments, building effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
•    Sound communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build relationships across diverse teams and organizations.
•    Result-oriented, self-motivated, ability to work to and meet tight deadlines and to plan and organise work unsupervised in a logical and efficient manner.
•    Familiarity with role and requirements of EBRD and/or other international financing institutions and/or development agencies.
•    Experience and familiarity in working within multicultural projects and teams.

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).