Associate Director, ESD Energy, Environment and Sustainability Department (London, GB)

We are searching for an experienced and motivated Senior Environmental and Social Advisor to join our Energy team at the Environment and Sustainability Department, based in our London HQ office. You will have extensive ESIA and/or due diligence experience in the energy sector, experience working with IFIs and international E&S standards (e.g., IFC, EBRD), understanding of complex E&S issues associated with renewables, conventional, nuclear, geothermal and transmission and distribution. You will also have experience and proven understanding of EU environmental standards such as EIA Directive, EU Habitats Directives, Industrial Emission Directive, CSRD as well as supply chain assessments. The successful candidate will report directly to the Head of Energy in ESD and will take a leading role on many of the Bank's most complex and challenging energy projects.

Purpose of Job

The Associate Director will work with the Associate Director Heads of Sector and Directors in ESD to deliver the Bank's commitments under its Environmental and Social Policy, covering environmental and social appraisal and monitoring of the Bank's portfolio of projects and activities in various sectors; oversight and verification of the Bank's approaches, assessments, monitoring, reporting and verification of environmental, social, green and other commitments relevant to ESD's mandate. The Associate Director will manage the appraisal and monitoring of complex and high-risk projects, provide specialist input, and conduct oversight of a range of projects and sectors.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Technically manage, provide specialist input, and oversee and coordinate a range of projects or tasks, including complex and high-risk projects and TCs.
• Responsible for delivering a particular project, task, activities, or initiative, which may include assessment of ESP compliance, E&S risks impacts and opportunities; climate and nature risks, Paris Alignment, and green finance attribution; monitoring, verification, and reporting; and assurance.
• Oversees and manages projects, coordinates tasks and outputs/outcomes, manage assigned tasks, conduct analytical, scientific, and technical reviews and appraisals, develop and implement methodologies, monitor outputs/outcomes.
• Provide specialist input, review documentation, negotiate E&S contract terms, liaise with EBRD staff, clients, and consultants.
• Undertake work travel independently or leading ESD/consultant teams.
• As delegated by the Director or Head of Sector, represent ESD internally and externally at various fora including project, client, lender and stakeholder meetings and other events.
• Provide and/or coordinate specialists' input to sector and country strategies/policies, papers, or other initiatives.
• Responsible for delivering internal and external capacity building initiatives and mentoring and coaching staff on environmental, social, and finance matters as relevant to ESD's mandate.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of internal processes and procedures, including the streamlining, collection, management and automation of data.
• If based in a resident office (RO), manage on the ground engagement with internal and external counterparts, including at senior governmental level, to support delivery of the EBRD's Environmental and Social Policy and advance good environmental and social practices.
• Responsible for aspects of the preparation of internal and external sustainability related reporting, on the Bank's sustainability reporting approach, and methodologies.
• Champion and role-model 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 always exhibited.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in environmental and/or social sciences/economics, engineering, or related field or comparable professional experience.
• Proven track-record in appraising complex environmental and social risks and impacts of a range of complex and high-risk projects and/or sectors.
• Knowledge of international good practice environmental, social and climate standards/guidelines (e.g., EBRD Environmental and Social Requirements, IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, Paris Agreement alignment, TCFD, TNFD, SSB, CSRD, sector guidelines, etc).
• Knowledge and experience of financing instruments, approaches, and processes as well as IFI, or similar, policies and procedures, including policy development.
• Strong sector or environmental and social thematic area with in-depth expertise and knowledge of application of policies and/or safeguards.
• Familiarity with the countries in which the Bank operates/plans to operate.
• Track record in project management, leading/conducting oversight of multi-disciplinary teams and delivering a solution-orientated and risk-assessment based approach on complex and high-risk projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work independently or lead/oversee a team in a multicultural environment.
• Effective time management and organisational skills and ability to multi-task and delegate tasks.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Familiarity with a language of the EBRD countries of operations would be advantageous and, for a resident office appointment, local language fluency will be required.
• Proven experience communicating complex policy and technical issues to a wide range of senior level stakeholders and decision makers internal and external to the Bank, verbally and in writing; ability to build consensus and reach agreement in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and coaching junior staff.
• Ability to transfer previous external experience into the EBRD context.
• Proactive in anticipating problems and leading in tackling those to avoid escalation.
• Demonstrable experience in negotiations, persuasion, and influence skills in internal and external engagement activities to deliver the team's and Bank's objectives, based on effective communication skills.
• Ability to operate in a multicultural environment and build effective working relationships with internal/external clients and colleagues.

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.

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.
• 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).