Principal E&S Advisor, Sustainability Proofing  

About EBRD

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a leading multilateral development investment bank, fostering the transition towards open market-oriented economies and the promotion of private and entrepreneurial initiative in emerging Europe and beyond. With a strong commitment to sustainability and alignment with global development goals, EBRD works to ensure that its investments contribute to environmental protection, social inclusivity, and economic resilience.

Position Overview

As the Principal E&S Advisor, Sustainability Proofing, you will lead on the environmental and social aspects of project approvals, technical and policy assessments, and monitoring processes within the European Commission’s InvestEU instrument and the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Your role is pivotal in ensuring that EBRD investments align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and uphold robust climate, environmental, and social safeguards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the environmental and social appraisal of approximately 20 projects annually under InvestEU and RRF, ensuring compliance with EU-related approvals processes and EBRD Environmental and Social Policy (ESP).
• Collaborate with Climate Proofing specialists and EBRD environmental, social, and green finance specialists throughout project approvals processes.
• Design and conduct monitoring of environmental and social aspects for projects, adhering to Sustainability Proofing Guidance and EBRD’s ESP.
• Participate in environmental and social policy working groups of the EU and other partners.
• Ensure alignment of projects with EU environmental and social policy through Environmental and Social Proofing.
• Manage due diligence approaches to meet EU environmental and social policy requirements, E&S Policy Performance Requirements, and E&S Procedures.
• Coordinate environmental and social policy alignment discussions with EU institutions and complete all related documentation for EU approvals processes.
• Monitor implementation and provide updates for donors as needed and in coordination with the Bank’s Donor Co-Financing team and other relevant colleagues.
• Provide early-stage support to operation leaders on technical cooperation and investment project preparation.
• Prepare E&S Summaries, Action Plans, and reports on site visits for projects in various sectors.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge and expertise of technical environmental and/or social issues.
• Understanding of main EU and international E&S requirements, practices, and guidelines.
• Skills in leading technical and policy discussions, project management, and effective communication.
• High-level English writing and verbal skills, along with IT proficiency.
• 10 years of professional experience in environmental, health and safety, and social appraisal of projects.
• Familiarity with EBRD countries of operation, culture, and E&S context.
• Experience dealing with the European Commission is desirable.
• Higher Education degree or equivalent professional qualifications in relevant subjects.

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.

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