Principal Social Specialist

Are you passionate about driving sustainable development and environmental change through impactful finance? EBRD is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Social Specialist to join our dynamic and mission-driven team.

About the Role

As a Principal in the Environment and Sustainability Department, you will play a key role in delivering the Bank’s Environmental and Social Policy across a diverse and meaningful portfolio. You will provide expert guidance on environmental and social assessments, project monitoring, and policy development – ensuring our operations deliver tangible, sustainable impact in line with global standards such as the IFC Performance Standards and the Paris Agreement.

This is an excellent opportunity for a purpose-driven professional to work on complex, high-impact projects in collaboration with international experts and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to the environmental and social appraisal and monitoring of Bank-financed projects, including high-risk and complex initiatives.
• Lead social requirements compliance reviews in areas of land acquisition and resettlement, labour and working conditions, occupational and public health and safety, supply chains, cultural heritage, and stakeholder engagement among other.
• Provide strategic input on compliance and sustainability-related commitments.
• Manage or support internal and external project teams, consultants, and stakeholders to deliver effective, policy-aligned outcomes.
• Represent ESD at internal and external forums, project meetings, and stakeholder consultations.
• Take thematic ownership of key social policy or safeguard areas and contribute to policy improvement.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to capacity-building across EBRD teams.
• Support innovation in data management, reporting methodologies, and procedural efficiency.

Key Requirements

We’re looking for a thoughtful, analytical, and proactive professional who thrives in collaborative and mission-focused environments. You should have:

• A degree in social sciences, economics, international development, or related fields.
• A proven record in appraising environmental and social risks in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, or other relevant sectors. Experience with public sector entities in sovereign and municipal projects is welcomed.
• Strong knowledge of international ESG standards and frameworks (e.g., EU EIA, WB/IFC, Equator Principles).
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Outstanding communication abilities, both written and verbal.
• Experience working in or with emerging markets or countries where EBRD operates.
• Strong project management and leadership experience, with the ability to coach others.
• Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of additional languages, especially from EBRD regions, is an advantage.

Why Join EBRD?

• Be part of a globally respected institution that invests in projects with real environmental and social impact.
• Work in a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative environment.
• Enjoy flexibility in working location (London HQ or one of our regional offices).
• Benefit from continuous learning, mentoring, and professional growth opportunities.
• Competitive salary and excellent benefits package.

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).