Principal, Integrity Due Diligence Specialist

Purpose of Job:

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is seeking to establish a dedicated/skilled team of Integrity Due Diligence (IDD) specialists to support front-line Banking teams in ex-ante integrity due diligence on potential Bank counterparties; as well as monitor existing project parties in the portfolio from an integrity perspective. This is a short-term (12-month) position based out of the headquarters in London. Pending the outcome of the pilot, more permanent contracts might be considered.

The Principal, IDD Specialist, working in close cooperation with colleagues in Banking, will be expected to identify, assess, manage and monitor any risks of money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions risk, tax evasion, corrupt business practices and political influence across a variety of projects. Applying a risk-based approach, the Principal, as part of the Bank’s 1st ‘line of defence’, will be expected to reinforce Banking teams with their analysis of integrity and reputational risks in the EBRD’s projects and operations. They will be responsible for analysing, verifying, assessing integrity concerns and potential mitigants in line with the Bank’s integrity guidelines and procedures, using a combination of structured and unstructured data sources, and escalate / resolve risks and issues until closure. This will involve careful assessment and judgement on the potential impact of any emerging integrity issues on the reputation and standing of the EBRD, even if these are not specifically covered in guidelines and procedures.

The Principal will be expected to develop a strong working relationship with Banking Teams and the Office of the Chief Compliance Officer as well as a wide variety of EBRD management and staff (across 1st, 2nd and 3rd ‘lines of defence’) to ensure the application of a consistent integrity due diligence approach.

The Principal will represent the Screening Unit at a senior level, interacting and influencing a range of stakeholders across 1st, 2nd and 3rd lines of defence or other stakeholders. Whilst day-to-day they will be focused on providing operational leadership, they will also be expected to support management in strategic related matters, helping drive and deliver various improvement initiatives. Adopting a continuous improvement mindset will be critical in ensuring the function is able to move forward on a sustainable basis and prospective candidates will be exposed to a working environment where they will need to accommodate challenging timelines and effectively manage resources to support the Bank’s pipeline approval and portfolio monitoring processes.

This is not a standard regulatory compliance role as the EBRD is not governed by Financial Service Regulators, although it has regard to them, and operates to its own standards set by the Board. The EBRD is an International Financial Institution governed by UN international law and not the laws and regulations of any single country. It has some 80 shareholders, broadly the G20 and 60 other countries. This position will suit someone pro-active, intelligent, and thorough in their research, who is able to work in close partnership with a number of teams.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

General:

•            Identify, assess and mitigate integrity and reputational risk issues, including AML, corporate governance, sanctions and tax-related matters in partnership with Banking teams and OCCO, including the initial completion of the Integrity Questionnaire (‘IQ’).

•            Execute with the ‘front line’ the on-going monitoring and periodical risk-based review of more complex projects and associated key parties, escalating to the Operation Leader projects causing some degree of concern.

•            Support, assist and supervise more junior colleagues within the IDD specialist team, to ensure consistent quality of output.

•            Manage and coordinate internal stakeholder communication and status updates, as well as communication with external clients via Banking teams as needed.

•            Liaise with colleagues in other departments at the Bank for the collection, completion, and validation of Integrity information/data when applicable, including related Screening, Sanctions and Domiciliation information.

Operational Performance:

•            Manage the operational delivery of allocated junior colleagues on a day-to-day basis, ensuring a ‘no surprises’ approach to service performance and delivery.

•            Ensure that key dependencies to operational delivery are understood. Proactively work with the Banking teams to identify and manage backlogs, guiding them on prioritisation and the unit’s capacity to deliver.

•            Identify any shortfalls in the resource level of the IDD specialist team versus expected demand, ensuring timely escalation of issues through established governance routes (capacity management).

•            Responsible for monitoring allocated junior colleague(s) capacity and availability, ensuring the team is collectively focused on the highest priorities.

•            Ensure that their allocated junior colleague(s) maintain service standards, managing backlogs and liaising with stakeholders as needed.

•            Communicate with relevant departments that may have significant implications for projects (or related transactional activity) to ensure that the decision-makers are aware of the risks involved.

Operational Standards, Risk, Control & Governance:

•            Support a culture where all team members are responsible for the quality of their output. Ensure a trusting and safe environment is developed where problems are raised.

•            Ensure that new processes and practices are conducted in line with quality standards, applicable standards/policies and procedures.

•            Where necessary, identify shortfalls in standards and help lead any required remediation activity.

•            Oversee the training of newly hired colleagues, provide on-the-job mentoring and manage their work to ensure high standards of work practices and objectives are met.

•            Where necessary, deliver educational material across wider teams.

Continuous Improvement:

•            Support IDD specialist team management in operationalising a ‘best in class’ function, using contemporary techniques, principles and practices to achieve this.

•            Advise on and contribute to the appropriate revision implementation of integrity related procedures, promoting innovation and improvements in line with industry practice.

•            Identify and recommend enhancements to the IQ platform.

•            Lead on the development of supporting processes and technology to deliver an enhanced integrity control/risk mitigation environment.

•            Lead on the identification and implementation effort associated with driving improved efficiencies.

•            Employ operational metrics to manage workload, identifying opportunities to realise efficiencies or enhance risk mitigation.

Service Management:

•            Deliver operational standards and performance to established service levels. On a daily basis, manage  allocated junior colleague(s) by maintaining a constant view of established operational metrics to ensure effective planning and execution of work in progress queues and adherence to agreed service levels.

•            Help manage supply and demand by working in a collaborative fashion with the Business so that future demand can, where possible, be managed in line with expected service levels.

Stakeholder Management:

•            Engage with stakeholders across the end-to-end integrity processes through regular briefings and updates.

•            Work collaboratively with stakeholders to facilitate and positively influence towards sustainable solutions.

•            Ensure that key dependencies to operational delivery are understood.

•            Be an ambassador for the team across other departments and, where necessary, participate in relevant committees.

Leadership & People Management:

•            Ensure the smooth running of allocated junior colleagues on a day-to-day basis.

•            Responsible for coaching and developing junior colleagues.

•            Demonstrate the Bank’s behavioural competencies and corporate behaviours, ensuring adherence within the team(s) so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times.

•            Deputise for the IDD specialist team management, as required.

•            Assume additional responsibilities as assigned by IDD specialist team management.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications:

The individual appointed must have the necessary seniority and capability to be able to take on responsibilities associated with the role, being able to handle the pressures of the role in a manner appropriate to the Bank. The candidate should have the following:

•            5 years of post-graduation (after having obtained your initial university degree/diploma) relevant professional experience in banking, finance, legal or corporate advisory in the Compliance and/or KYC domain.

•            Outstanding management and interpersonal skills, able to work within a small/skilled team and simultaneously foster productive working relationships with senior bankers, credit, compliance and legal officers in the Bank.

•            University educated degree in Economics, Business Administration, Finance or Law (preferably at postgraduate level) with a combination of the above considered highly advantageous.

•            Excellent knowledge/familiarity with relevant KYC/AML-CFT and anti-bribery and corruption regulations, international standards and associated best practices.

•            In depth understanding of processes that underpin related KYB / KYC / CDD / EDD activity, including how corporate data providers can support.

•            Considerable experience in identifying, verifying and assessing/mitigating corporate governance, financial crime and integrity risks, preferably within another MDB, Corporate or Investment Bank.

•            Familiarity with dealing with a range of clients in Europe, Asia and Africa, across a range of sectors and product classes.

•            Prior experience of communicating with clients and managing flows of regulatory/legal documentation.

•            Excellent written and oral communication skills, including an ability to distil and present complex or sensitive topics to senior audiences.

•            Ability to provide clear and concise research while confronted with limited information and time, as well as to tight deadlines set by business needs.

•            Ability to conduct integrity due diligence training courses across all levels in the EBRD.

•            Strong analytical/quantitative skills with an ability to manage and analyse data sets.

•            Good understanding of the EBRD mandate and ‘in scope’ geographies (countries of operation), including the operating and political framework in which the EBRD operates.

•            Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English. Knowledge of other languages (including Arabic and Russian, or other languages from EBRD’s countries of operation) would be considered highly advantageous.

•            Attention to detail with the ability to organise, multi-task and prioritise activity to meet demanding deadlines set by the Business.

•            Must have positive, collaborative and solution orientated attitude with a track record of achieving results.

•            Sound judgement and an ability to credibly justify a decision is critical. Ability to soundly execute quantitative and qualitative analysis, draw salient conclusions and present information in a concise and effective manner.

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).