Principal, Operational Risk

Purpose of Job:

Supporting the Associate Director, Operational Risk in cultivating a robust risk culture within EBRD by implementing the Operational Risk Framework throughout the organisation. They will be responsible for delivering key projects and performing risk identification and monitoring remediation activities.

Proactive, robust operational risk management is essential to ensure business objectives are met and is regarded as being a core competence by stakeholders, rating agencies, clients, counterparties and other interested parties.

The Principal Risk Officer acts as a second line of defence providing independent oversight of the risks identified and managed by the business and includes challenging the business areas in their assessment and monitoring of their risks, control effectiveness and action plans.

The Principal Risk Officer is responsible for analysing incidents and issues, and for developing dashboards and infographics to facilitate the communication and reporting of risks to various stakeholders. Additionally, the role provides expert consultancy in risk identification, control design, and the development of key risk indicators.

The successful candidate will add value by championing risk culture, enhancing awareness of operational risk throughout the EBRD, embedding the Operational Risk Framework across all areas of EBRD, gain a good understanding of Banking activities and processes, be risk and control focussed and can remain independent and objective.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

The Principal Risk Officer, reporting to the Associate Director and /or Director is expected to demonstrate considerable ability to work un-supervised and exercise their own decision-making ability, escalating as necessary. To continuously engage with the business in reviewing and challenging OpRisk information, with escalation of issues, via Associate Director, Operational Risk Management, to the Risk Committee. This can be broken down to the following key responsibilities:

•            Ensuring businesses adequately and appropriately identify, manage, mitigate, report and escalate operational risks in accordance with EBRD requirements.

•            Independently advise and educate colleagues across the Bank with regards to their roles and responsibilities as per the operational risk policy and framework requirements.

•            Responsible for development and delivery of the operational risk plan across selected departments, supporting MDs on improving risk culture and the management of their operational risks, including challenging outputs and actions.

•            Partner with business areas to represent the views of ORM at internal committees and working groups to share opinions and influence decisions based on sound Operational Risk Management knowledge and processes.

•            Review and make autonomous decisions and report on analysis of incidents, issues and business indicators / metrics for key control monitoring and act as necessary where any business appears to be operating, or to be at risk of operating, outside the established risk appetite.

•            Perform deep dive root cause analysis of material issues and incidents or support the business own investigation, coaching to ensure appropriate analysis and challenge as needed.

•            Proactively identify OpRisk knowledge gaps across the Bank and ensure effective training to address these gaps.

•            Supervise and quality-assure the drafting of key ORM guidelines, procedural documents and intranet information pages to ensure that there is no inconsistency in message or outcome.

•            Contribute to development of the Operational Risk Management System and associated strategy in order to drive product development, ensuring it meets current and future EBRD requirements.

•            Develop, implement and maintain management information and operational risk reporting to allow senior business leaders to make more informed business decisions.

•            Develop external relationships of similar and of regulated organisations to keep abreast of good practice.

•            Conduct other activity as requested by the Director ORM.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications:

•            A degree or equivalent in a risk-related field, such as Accountancy, Risk Management, Chartered Financial Analyst or Chartered Accountant, is beneficial.

•            Experience of working in Risk Management with at least 5 years in operational risk in a financial services organisation.

•            Experience of developing and deploying Operational Risk Management Frameworks and Operational Risk tools / systems.

•            Experience of Risk Appetite & Scenario Analysis development & implementation.

•            Operational Risk reporting and governance experience.

•            Banking product knowledge and Development bank experience will be advantageous.

•            Motivated and proactive, skilled at handling multiple complex tasks efficiently and to high standards, with resilience toward conflicting priorities and demanding challenges.

•            Expertise in translating risk and control information / issues into simple messages and then into professional documents for varied stakeholder consumption.

•            Proven ability to adapt to unfamiliar tasks and requests

•            Collaborative team player, willing to take ownership.  

•            Strong analytical skills and problem –solving skills

•            Strong relationship management skills and the confidence and ability to challenge business leaders in their risk mitigation measures.

•            Excellent oral and written communication skills, with confidence in presenting to senior stakeholders.

•            Demonstrate strong skills in planning, organising, presentation, and collaboration.

•            Championing operational risk culture and awareness across the Bank

•            Strong stakeholder management with the confidence and ability to effectively engage, influence, and challenge business leaders on risk mitigation measures

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).