Principal, Green Partnerships

Purpose of Job

The Principal, Manager holds a key position in the Green Partnerships team, which sits within EBRD’s wider Donor Partnerships (DP) department, and manages strategic initiatives that advance nature finance, in particular blue economy objectives. 

The Principal, Manager identifies funding opportunities, aligns donor/partner priorities with the Bank’s strategic climate and environmental initiatives, leads fundraising efforts, and coordinates the delivery relevant activities under the Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Program (CHO-IP), supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Blue Mediterranean Partnership (BMP)..

The Principal, Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of donor resources and supporting Banking and other teams in structuring and deploying concessional finance to advance the EBRD’s green economy objectives. 

Background

The need for collective, urgent and ambitious action on climate is greater than ever before. Under its Strategic and Capital Framework (SCF) 2021 – 2025, the EBRD has set an ambitious target to achieve a green finance ratio of over 50% of the Bank’s annual investments by 2025. Using donor finance in a disciplined manner is an integral part of the Bank’s business model and will be a key enabler to achieve this strategic goal.

Blended Finance involves using concessional finance from donors or third parties alongside development finance institutions’ (DFIs) normal own account finance and/or commercial finance from other investors, to develop private sector markets, address the SDGs and mobilize private resources. 

As part of its Donor Strategy, the Bank is aiming at generating support for larger programmes, multi-donor funds and thematic platforms within a more effective funding architecture that seeks to balance flexibility with efficiency. In this regard, the Bank is identifying ways in which donor finance can support more private capital mobilisation. While traditional grant-based instruments will remain a vital part of our portfolio, the trend is clearly towards reimbursable or unfunded financial instruments that not only leverage scare public resources but also apportion risk and rewards in more efficient ways. 

Accountabilities & Responsibilities
The Principal is responsible for:

Creation & Design:
•    Coordinating relevant activities under the CHO-IP and the BMP and ensuring full alignment between both initiatives. 
•    Developing and structuring concepts and funding proposals to support blue economy initiatives..

Resource Mobilisation & Stakeholder Engagement: 
•    Identifying funding opportunities, coordinating fundraising efforts, and managing key donor relationships across the climate and environmental arenas.
•    Engaging with donors strategically to influence priorities and scope fundraising opportunities.
•    Engaging and fostering partnerships with other DFIs, international development agencies and other relevant stakeholders. 

Resource Management:
•    Managing a portfolio of donor resources and matching the donor agenda to Bank’s strategies, priorities and funding needs.
•    Supporting Banking and other teams in deploying donor funds and securing necessary internal & external approvals for new projects and initiatives. 
•    Working with teams across the Bank to anticipate and address funding needs. 
•    Coordinating the drafting, negotiation and signing of term sheets and contribution agreements, and ensuring compliance.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications 

•    Master’s degree in economics, finance, international development, environmental and social sciences or related discipline. 
•    Experience in developing and managing programmes and portfolios on climate and nature finance.   
•    Understanding in developing and deploying financial products and banking transactions to address climate and environmental issues. 
•    Experience in identifying and designing innovative concessional finance instruments, business models and pioneering financial structures. 
•    Experience in managing donor relationships and creating fundraising strategies.
•    Ability to think strategically and outside the box to drive change and expand EBRD’s product offering to clients, donors and partners. 
•    Self-starter and problem-solver with a can-do entrepreneurial attitude. 
•    Excellent project/programme management, negotiation and problem-solving skills. 
•    Strong inter-personal management skills, including ability to work across departments.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About 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.  

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment. 

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. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively.
• A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness. 
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do. 
• A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits. 

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  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, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.   

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).