Vice President, Chief Risk Officer

Role Overview

The Vice President, Chief Risk Officer (CRO) leads the EBRD’s Risk functions.  Risk is a fundamental pillar of the Bank’s business with the prime responsibility of ensuring the independent risk management of the EBRD’s Banking (including environmental and social considerations) and Treasury exposures. This role reports directly to the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. 

 

This is a key role which is part of the executive leadership of the EBRD, leading and managing change, and contributing to the Bank’s future strategic direction 

 

The Risk Vice Presidency totals about 220 staff and comprises: 

• Risk Management – Risk Policy & Analytics, Corporate and Project Finance and Country and FI Credit Risk Management, Equity Risk Management, Corporate Recovery, Climate Risk, and Operational Risk Management (including Security & Information Security).
• Environment & Sustainability – EBRD’s Environment and Social Policy; assessing environmental and social risk and impacts of projects, and working towards high international standards with client action plans.
• Procurement, Policy and Advisory – EBRD’s procurement policies and rules; proper implementation of these by the Bank’s clients in the Bank’s investment projects.

 

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables 

Vice President, CRO is responsible for the formulation, delivery, communication and implementation of the Bank’s strategies and policies in the area of risk management regarding; risk appetite,  Banking   (including environmental & social, and procurement considerations), Treasury exposures, and operational risks. 

 

Leadership and supervision of:  

• the second line of defense through the independent assessment of the credit quality of Banking projects throughout the project creation and repayment cycle, based on the principle of sound banking;
• the assessment, approval and surveillance of the credit process for Treasury activities;
• the ongoing oversight and management of the portfolio, market risk, portfolio credit risk modelling, and economic capital calculation;
• the work-out team for impaired Banking assets;
• the assessment and management of environmental and social considerations associated with Banking operations;
• client procurement associated with Banking Operations; and
• operational risk, including Information Security and the Bank’s Security unit.

 

The Vice President, CRO is also responsible for: 

• Effective leadership, motivation and management of the staff in the Vice Presidency to deliver on annual and strategic objectives to the highest possible service standards.
• Providing advice and guidance on all matters pertaining to risk management to the Executive Committee and relevant leadership
• Developing and implementing strategies, which ensure a balance between the overall risk assumed in carrying out the Bank’s transition mandate.
• Establishing and maintaining, within their extensive international network and together with direct reports, highly respected and collaborative relationships at the most senior levels in counterparty international institutions in order to remain apprised of global best practices in all areas of responsibility.
• Identifying diversity as a strategic imperative and, with senior management colleagues, promoting the value of diversity throughout the organisation.
• Assisting the President in their role by representing the Bank in high-level external business and political fora.

 

Internal Committees: 

 

This role is a member (or chair) of the Executive Committee, the Crisis Management Committee, the  Operations and Equity Committees and the Risk Committee.  

 

Essential Skills, Experience & Qualifications 

 

Business Expertise 

• A proven, significant professional track record and broad international leadership experience in the assessment and mitigation of risk in banking operations; treasury exposures in emerging and developed markets and enterprise risk.
• A good understanding of the EBRD’s mandate and its implications for the contribution of the work of the Vice Presidency to the Bank’s overall delivery.
• Highly developed negotiation skills proven to yield positive outcomes with senior counterparts, both internal and external.
• Strong general business acumen.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to represent the Bank at international fora, including presenting to large multi-cultural audiences.

 

Strategic Thinking 

• Good strategic thinking skills – an ability to map business strategy into workable and sustainable long term risk mitigation strategies.

 

Leadership & Management 

• Proven track record as an inspirational leader of large teams.
• Demonstrable corporate behaviour and track record of being part of a cohesive executive leadership team, the encompassing experience of change management.
• Strong partnership skills to enable positive engagement and contribution to the Executive Committee, and other senior management committees, to contribute to the cohesiveness of the Bank’s senior management and its drive behind the EBRD’s continuous improvement programme.
• Strong leadership, management and communication skills combined with an ability to motivate highly skilled senior professionals to deliver business objectives effectively in a multi-cultural, results oriented organisation.
• Ability to guide staff to focus on continuous improvement and effectively inspire a collective sense of achievement.
• Directly accountable for the engagement and effective overall management of staff including recruitment, compensation (as agreed with the Head of Department, if applicable), performance management, coaching and development.
• 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 exhibited at all times.

 

Personal Attributes 

 

• An Individual with strong personal integrity and a commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to build positive relationships by promoting co­ operations internally and externally.
• Knowledge of a language or languages of Bank member countries, in addition to English, would be desirable.
• Commitment to serve a full four-year term.

 

The scope of this role is dynamic and is not limited to the responsibilities set out above. It will evolve over time and as a result of further organisation reviews.

 

EBRD has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to assist with this appointment. For further information on the position and additional details on qualifications, requirements, and how to apply, please visit: www.rraresponses.com

 

 

 

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. 

 

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position: 

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost).
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• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to  the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
  • Let us know by writing to recruitment@cinfo.ch. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility.
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here: Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.​