Head of Domiciliation & International Tax Policy

Purpose of Job

The Associate Director, Head of Domiciliation and International Tax (HDIT) is responsible for ensuring that EBRD clients using cross-border ownership structures comply with the EBRD Domiciliation (tax) Policy (the Policy), which in turn refers to international tax standards, including OECD standards on tax transparency and base erosion and profit shifting.

The HDIT manages the Domiciliation (tax compliance) Team in the Office of the Chief Compliance Officer (OCCO), ensuring engagement and efficiency; reviews and updates the Policy, as needed, to reflect international tax standards; sets the approach to tax due diligence; designs, refines or streamlines tax due diligence procedures; supervises tax due diligence in individual projects; ensures compliance with the Policy and applicable tax-related donor requirements; reviews briefings to EBRD Management and disclosures to the Board of Directors; leads training efforts; cooperates with counterparts in other international financial institutions; represents the Bank in international fora; and ultimately preserves the reputation of the Bank in the tax compliance area.   

The HDIT is a member of OCCO’s management team and, as such, assists the Chief Compliance Officer, as they may request from time to time, in managing OCCO or undertaking other tasks.   

As an international financial institution, the Bank supports international efforts to discourage tax avoidance. To this effect, the Policy sets out the conditions under which the Bank may finance projects involving a cross-border ownership structure. The Policy, in turn, refers to international tax standards, including OECD standards on tax transparency and base erosion and profit shifting. Compliance with the Policy is assessed following thorough tax due diligence. 

Background

As an international financial institution, the Bank supports international efforts to discourage tax avoidance. To this effect, the Policy sets out the conditions under which the Bank may finance projects involving a cross-border ownership structure. The Policy, in turn, refers to international tax standards, including OECD standards on tax transparency and base erosion and profit shifting. Compliance with the Policy is assessed following thorough tax due diligence.  

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Ensures compliance with the Policy and applicable, tax-related donor requirements.
• Directly accountable for the engagement and effective overall management of the Domiciliation team including recruitment, performance management, coaching and development.
• Champions and role models the Bank’s Workplace Behaviours and Values, ensuring adherence within the team so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times
• Manages the Domiciliation Team, with responsibility for recruitment, engagement, performance management, coaching and development; manages external advisers.
• Monitors developments in international tax policy (including the work of the Inclusive Framework in respect of base erosion and profit shifting and that of the Global Forum in respect of tax transparency) and keeps relevant stakeholders informed (including EBRD Management and the Board of Directors, if need be).
• Ensures that the Policy keeps reflecting international tax standards and, if needed, recommends amendments to the Policy; negotiates tax-related requirements in donor agreements.
• Reviews, updates and streamlines tax due diligence procedures (including templates and guidance), on an ongoing basis, to reflect international tax standards and improve efficiency (including through use of information technology)
• Allocates projects and other matters to, and supervises the work of, team members; in particular: (i) supervises tax due diligence of cross-border ownership structures; (ii) reviews briefings for EBRD Management setting out due diligence findings and recommendations; (iii) reviews documents for the Board of Directors setting out due diligence findings; and (iv) addresses questions raised by  EBRD Management or the Board of Directors (including, if needed, in meetings of the Operations Committee or the Board of Directors).
• Liaises with other international organisations (including the EU, the OECD and multilateral development banks), coordinates the approach to tax compliance with other multilateral development banks to the extent feasible, and actively contributes to international cooperation to combat tax avoidance; represents the Bank (as an observer) at the Global Forum and the Inclusive Framework and makes presentations in international fora.
• Leads the delivery of a training programme (online and in person) for staff in headquarters and resident offices.
• As required, assists the Chief Compliance Officer and delegates responsibilities to team members as appropriate.
• As a team leader, acts as source of information and proactively disseminates knowledges, insights, and updates.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in law, accounting, banking or finance (or equivalent); and membership in a professional (legal, accounting, banking or financial) society.
• Extensive work experience at a senior level in: (i) the tax department of an international accounting firm, (ii) the tax department of an international law firm, or (iii) the compliance, legal or tax department of an international organisation, in each case with a focus on international tax; experience in one or more of the Bank’s countries of operations would be an advantage.
• Detailed knowledge of international tax (including OECD standards on exchange of information, the OECD’s base erosion and profit shifting package and the OECD’s two-pillar solution) and cross-border tax avoidance strategies; demonstrated ability to identify tax compliance risks, and mitigating factors or measures, in cross-border ownership structures.
• Good understanding of multilateral development banks’ mandate, policies and operations.
• Demonstrated  people management experience including a track record of managing, developing and coaching diverse teams, preferably in an international environment.
• Experience delivering training,
• Proven experience engaging and  influencing senior stakeholders (internally and externally) and building networks.
• Demonstrated experience resolving issues, making impartial judgement calls and gaining the trust of stakeholders in complex or sensitive matters.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and use new technologies to achieve efficiencies and improvements.
• Excellent command of the English language, with proven experience communicate clearly and concisely with audiences at all levels; fluency in other languages of the Bank would be an advantage

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).