Principal Counsellor, EU Affairs

Purpose of Job

The Principal Counsellor, EU Affairs Coordination, plays a key role in the Bank’s engagement with the EU on strategic and operational matters. The specific focus of the role is on outreach to EU Members States and other EU-stakeholders outside Brussels with regard to all relevant EU-related topics. As part of the EU Affairs Team, the Principal Counsellor will also cover specific EU policy areas which are of high interest to the Bank and support teams with the operational work with EU counterparts.

The role reports to the Head of the Brussels Office and works closely with all colleagues in the EU Affairs Team, the Director, the Vice President, Policy & Partnerships, DCF, the wider Client Services Group, Corporate Strategy, the President’s Office, OSG, Board Constituency Offices and other Departments.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Identify, extract and prioritise EU relevant matters, putting them in useful and practical perspective for the Bank, looking at both opportunities and threats. A particular focus will be on strategic long-term EU developments of interest to the Bank, in line the Bank’s Strategic and Capital Framework, as well as the operationalisation of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and NextGenerationEU. Such instruments include InvestEU, EFSD+ and the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Follow national debates in selected EU Member States on such topics.
• Prepare and support strategic Senior Management engagement with EU Member States and other key EU stakeholders outside Brussels. Identify opportunities (incl. speaking engagements), prepare briefings, participate in meetings and ensure reporting and follow-up.
• Represent the Bank’s interests on EU Affairs with external stakeholders at working level, including EU Member States, National Promotional Banks and relevant Think Tanks.
• Support and facilitate coordination, agenda setting and action planning on strategic issues in the run up of executive decisions, reacting flexibly to new developments.
• Develop and foster an active network on EU related matters within the Bank.
• Ensure relevant information is shared within the Bank and ensure a proactive internal feedback on EU affairs

Qualifications & Skills / Experience & Knowledge

• Bachelor's, Master's or higher level education in a relevant field such as economics, business, law or international relations.
• Proven understanding of EU policy-making and institutions.
• Work experience with EU-Member States in the finance or development area would be a big plus.
• Thorough understanding of the Bank’s business model, strategies, policies and organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to apply sound evaluative judgement and a high degree of discretion when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential dossiers
• Ability to instil trust, solve problems and build relationships
• Conceptual thinking, strategic planning skills and capacity to design policy vision and relevant operational implementation of action plans
• Ability to build external networks of contacts and managing external stakeholders at appropriate level
• Excellent drafting skills in English. Advanced skills in other EU languages are a strong plus.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines

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.