Principal II Specialist, Water

The Principal II Specialist, Water is responsible for the technical aspects of projects within the water sector contributing to all phases of the investment cycle primarily involved in project preparation and to a much lesser extent project implementation and monitoring. In addition, the Water Sector Specialist will assist in assessing project opportunities, risks and addressing transition impact from an engineering point of view as well as supporting and promoting the integration of sustainable solutions in cities and regions the Bank operates.

The role also includes elements of supporting the Bank’s infrastructure strategy, supporting policy dialogue, client management and assisting with business development. The Principal II Specialist, Water will distinguish themselves by the depth and complexity of water sector projects to be assessed for the SIG banking teams, as well as the ability to handle diversity of project structures and risks to be analysed with regard to technical innovation brought in particular by private sector clients of the Bank.

Background

The Sustainable Infrastructure Policy applying expert technical knowledge and experience to technical documentation including review of financial models, economic and financial costs and benefits to ensure adequacy of technical/engineering assumptions. Assist with and validate Green Economy Transition assessments. Provide technical inputs as required to facilitate securing of donor financing for transactional and non‑transactional Technical Cooperation and investment grants. Technically support the development of individual Green City Action Plans. Drafting technical sections of internal memos and attend clarification meetings with Bank departments. Provide robust technical opinions/well defended technical arguments at Bank Committees and Board. Apply Technical Advisory to Projects in Deliver. Conduct or assist project monitoring in order to support the loan disbursement process where requested. Actively assist with the pragmatic resolution of project delivery issues (as appropriate). Participate in / lead site visits working with Project Implementation Support Consultants and/or Lenders’ Technical Advisors. Offer practical and imaginative solutions that facilitate project signing and project delivery whilst maintaining the bank’s integrity.

Maintain awareness and interest in water sector market trends and solutions and ensure Team has state‑of‑the‑art sector expertise. Seek opportunities across sectors and across teams where a more integrated or novel approach could realise better projects. Where necessary assist project monitoring in order to support the loan disbursement / project implementation process. Contribute to development of related policies, country and Bank strategies and to the EBRD’s Green Cities initiative as led by others. Keep abreast of sector related policy issues in the region and in the European Union, including interaction with relevant sector or government organisations. Advise on implications of policy developments on signed projects and projects under the preparation phase. Work with other internal departments to facilitate project development.

Support the onboarding process of new joiners and provide on‑the‑job support/coaching to new team colleagues in technical aspects of project screening, scoping, due diligence, implementation and monitoring to increase sector related skills and understandings. Advise and assist Project Implementation Adviser on technical aspects of the projects to facilitate project implementation; advise Policy Strategy and Delivery (PSD) on rationale and transition impact aspects; interact with CSD on climate change mitigation and adaptation aspects and Paris Agreement alignment of the projects and engage with ESD on environmental and social dimensions.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience

Additional higher degree in a relevant finance, economics or business degree would be beneficial. Track record and experience in the wider water sector with a relevant infrastructure utility company or corporate/project finance group or an IFI and/or a technical consultancy firm with experience of advising IFIs in relation to water sector projects, or organisation of similar expertise. Deep know‑how in a technical or specialised field built on understanding of theoretical concepts and principles and their organisational context with this knowledge gained through qualification and/or extensive practical experience. Experience of carrying out technical due diligence and monitoring of projects in water resources management, drinking water production and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, bio‑resources, blue‑green systems, irrigation infrastructure, climate mitigation and adaptation. Understand options for supporting low‑carbon pathways in the water sector including solutions for improving maturity of operators including digitalisation. International experience in the water sector would be considered particularly beneficial. Broader knowledge of public and private sector markets, the regulated business and regulatory environments that influence EBRD’s work in the water sectors. Extensive experience of leading and delivering projects to time, cost and quality. Experience in working in cross‑cultural teams. Sound understanding of banking/business principles. Strong analytical and technical skills with the ability to interpret technical and financial information and able to analyse and assess project viability. Ability to communicate effectively and confidence in handling internal and external senior stakeholders. Good verbal and written communication skills in English. Good report writing skills. Language skills from one of the Bank’s countries of operation is desirable.

The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.