Principal Water Sector Specialist  

Purpose of Job

The Principal Water Sector Specialist 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. He/she will be familiar with conventional and non-conventional (e.g. desalination) sector solutions. The role also includes elements of supporting the Bank’s infrastructure strategy. The Principal Water Sector Specialist 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.

The Sustainable Infrastructure Policy & Project Preparation (SI3P) team is composed of technical, financial and procurement specialists. It is tasked with enabling EBRD’s Sustainable Infrastructure Group (SIG) to develop future-ready programmes and prepare high-quality projects for clients in line with the Bank’s transition mandate.  

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The Principal Water Sector Specialist will be a member of the Project Preparation & Implementation (PP&I) Unit, which is part of the SI3P team and is responsible for providing technical due diligence and project scoping with some in-delivery oversight. The wider remit of the PP&I unit is the identification and development of ?cross-over’ project opportunities which include the integration of water, energy and food security as well as participating in the EBRD’s Green Cities initiative largely through support to Green City Action Plans (GCAPs) which are an integral part of this initiative. The Principal Water Sector Specialist will provide technical authority to the three SIG infrastructure banking teams to originate and develop their pipeline of projects in the water sector. For each project, the Principal Water Sector Specialist will report to the Operation Leader (OL) supporting project preparation, appraisal and monitoring (as appropriate) providing both pragmatic, sound, innovative and imaginative solutions or approaches that facilitate project signing and project monitoring post-signing. Where appropriate, the Principal Water Sector Specialist may also advise and shape the softer reform components (e.g. Technical Cooperation) that enhance the sustainability of investments and as such may support the OL in securing funds necessary to develop these project-related elements. For certain projects he/she shall liaise with other banking teams from the Risk, Climate Strategy and Delivery (CSD), Impact and Environment & Sustainability (ESD) departments to facilitate project development

• Screen initial project proposals to help inform the OL as to whether Bank resources should be committed to develop specific projects providing sound reasoning in that guidance  
• Participate in pre-feasibility site investigations
• Meet with key stakeholders including public and private sector clients to help facilitate the OL during the project life-cycle 
• Prepare project-related documentation (such as Technical Due Diligence ToRs) including internal Bank documents (CRMs and FRMs etc), where necessary review Loan Agreements and provide technical input in the covenants in accordance with OL agreed priorities
• Assist in selection and appointment of outside technical consultants 
• Oversee consultant?led technical due diligence; applying expert technical knowledge and experience to technical documentation including review of financial models (to ensure adequacy of technical/engineering assumptions) 
• Assist with Green Economy Transition assessments
• Provide technical inputs as required to facilitate securing of donor financing for transactional and non-transactional Technical Cooperation  
• Technically support the development of individual Green City Action Plans
• Drafting of technical sections of internal memos and attend clarification meetings with Bank departments, and 
• Provide robust technical opinions/well defended technical arguments at Bank Committees and Board     
• Apply Technical Advisory to Projects in Delivery
• 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), and
• Participate in site investigations working with Lenders’ Technical Advisors 
• Offer-up practical and imaginative solutions that facilitate project signing and project delivery whilst maintaining the Bank’s integrity. 
• Maintain awareness and interest in water sector trends and solutions. 
• 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. 
• Work with other internal departments to facilitate project development.

Experience, Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications

• Degree qualified in a relevant engineering/technical discipline; 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.
• Know-how in conventional and non-conventional water solutions 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.
• Experience of delivering projects to time, cost and quality.
• Experience in working in cross-cultural teams.
• An 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.

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, all our adverts close at 10.59pm GMT time.

Right to Work in the UK: Swiss nationals (and all other non-UK employees) can work in the UK without a Visa – working at the EBRD gives all employees “exempt status”. The Bank however encourages all non-UK employees to obtain an Exempt Vignette (EV) prior to relocating to the UK, as without an EV you may face more questions at Border Control and when required to show evidence of their exempt status when renting accommodation under the Right to Rent legislation. The application process may take 3 – 4 weeks approx. outside of the UK. 

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