Secretary General

Purpose of Job

The Secretary General acts as the liaison between the Bank’s management and its Board of Governors and Board of Directors. The Secretary General is the first point of contact to resolve issues relating to the institution and its governance through facilitating dialogue to successful conclusion between the Bank’s shareholders and Board of Governors, and the Bank’s management. As well as requiring exceptional relationship management, this can include difficult negotiations at the highest level including with shareholder capitals and representing shareholder’s views on complex issues with the Bank’s management.

Furthermore, the Secretary General ensures that the key governance mechanisms of the Bank function properly, so as to ensure delivery of the Bank’s mandate. This role also ensures that the guidance provided by the Bank’s shareholders is channelled to management in a prompt and clear manner.

The role develops and leads the OSG strategy in order to enhance the Bank’s approach and activities around Board and shareholder relations, and ensure that the department is organised and positioned internally to deliver high quality outcomes around OSG’s mandate.

Facts / Scale

• The Secretary General is accountable for a budget of £7,300,000, in respect to OSG, the Annual meeting and other centrally managed costs.
• The Secretary General has five direct reports and a total of circa 50 staff. In addition, several temporary persons are employed to assist with the delivery of the Annual Meeting. In the same vein, several temporary persons are employed to work in Language Services as interpreters, translators, verbatim for Board Meetings, the Annual Report, and the Annual Meeting.
• Internally, the Secretary General interacts on a daily basis with the Board of Directors composed of 23 resident Directors, 20 resident Alternate Directors, and circa 30 resident Advisers, the President, ExCom and key stakeholders across the Bank.
• Externally, the Secretary General interacts with the Board of Governors, shareholder authorities (recipient and non-recipient countries), external Civil Societies, and NGOs.
• The Secretary General ensures secretariat services for on average 160/170 Board Meetings, Committee Meetings, and Workshops/Other Meetings per calendar year.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership to OSG. Develop and continuously review OSG’s strategic objectives, and revise the mandate accordingly;
• Accountable for the implementation of OSG’s strategic priorities, ensuring initiatives, work plans, resources and cross–functional partnerships are established to further OSG’s mandate;
• Maintain and further develop good working relationships with Governors, Board Directors and other shareholder representatives, to ensure relevant stakeholders in the Bank understand their interests and concerns, and to promote well-informed decision-making;
• Support new shareholders to the Bank, establishing a positive ongoing relationship to support smooth collaboration.
• Provide insights, advice and guidance to the President, ExCom members and others within management on how to work with the Board of Directors to deliver Bank priorities in line with Bank governance and to enhance the effectiveness of interactions, including how to tailor key messages to foster trust, understanding and buy-in of the Board into management’s work programme;
• Create consensus between management and the Board of Directors, whenever possible, or manage divergences; anticipating pressure points as they arise; coordinating management’s strategy to set up a strategic partnership with the Bank’s shareholders;
• Plan and coordinate the handling of all policy issues addressed by the Board of Governors and by the Board of Directors, with a view to enabling smooth and effective governance of the Bank;
• Oversee the production of documents on issues for which OSG is directly responsible, discuss them in ExCom, where appropriate, and obtain President’s approval (i.e. Access to Information Policy, Annual Meeting, Composition of the Board of Directors, membership documentation, etc.);
• Formulate and oversee implementation of the Bank’s Access to Information Policy, engaging with NGOs where appropriate;
• Be the primary point of contact for all Board composition and membership issues, including maintaining dialogue with prospective new shareholders of the Bank and managing the expectations of all existing Shareholders in this context;
• Manage the Bank’s overall institutional relationship with Shareholders, with a particular focus on non-recipient countries. Support the President in policy dialogue with non-recipient shareholders of the Bank, and deal directly with governments (mainly in non-recipient countries), including by travelling to capitals;
• Develop and implement the business concept of the Bank’s Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors and Business Forum to meet a statutory requirement and facilitate the Governors’ decision-making process, as well as to provide opportunities for dialogue among various stakeholders;
• Formulate and gain acceptance for OSG’s and the Annual Meeting’s budgets, so as to secure the resources necessary to achieve agreed work programmes;
• Ensure OSG’s organisation capacity and capability to establish and grow constructive and diplomatic international relationships, so as to broaden and deepen the Bank’s interaction with its shareholders and stakeholders;
• Accountable for the engagement and effective overall management of relevant staff including recruitment, compensation, performance management, coaching and development, and enhancing staff’s sense of engagement;
• Champion and role model the Bank’s Workplace Behaviours and Behavioural Competencies, ensuring adherence within the team(s) so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• An expert understanding of the Bank’s mandate, and knowledge of the EBRD’s Countries of Operation;
• A strong level of commitment to the highest standards of governance, and Corporate governance and/ or secretariat experience in the public or private sectors;
• Extensive professional experience in international relations (bilateral or multilateral) and significant experience in multilateral institutions;
• Political acumen, and a proven ability to acquire a rapid understanding of complex political dynamics in multiple countries;
• Knowledge of international development, and the role of finance within it;
• Knowledge of and previous experience of MDB governance, and of EBRD’s recipient and non-recipient shareholders;
• Capacity to build and maintain constructive and diplomatic international relationships of tact, confidentiality and trust at the highest levels in the conduct of shareholders’ affairs;
• Proven track record, in an international environment, of strong leadership skills, including managing continuous improvement, ideally leading diverse teams of multiple nationalities;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including fluent spoken and written English, diplomatic/persuasive skills, ability to get on well with and build trust with people from a wide range of backgrounds, and a high degree of emotional intelligence;
• Ability to be a good team player and to contribute to the cohesiveness of the Bank’s senior management.

Please note that we are working with an external search firm in the recruitment for this position. By applying for this position you are consenting to your details being shared with this third party.

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).

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.

How cinfo Can Support You in the Application Process for This Position

• Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you’re preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
• For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at recruitment@cinfo.ch, and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.