Purpose of Job

The Associate Director, Regional Policy Lead (AD RPL) is the key representative of the Policy and Partnerships Division (VP3) in Ukraine of the Bank’s countries of operations (a “region”) and plays leadership role in the prioritisation, design and delivery of the Bank’s policy agenda in that region, as well as the Bank’s economic assessment of that region. AD RPL is located in one of the Bank’s Resident Offices (ROs) in that region.

Background

AD RPL is a key leader in VP3’s Regional Policy and Strategy (RPS) team. The RPS team designs and delivers, in close coordination with PSD, CSD, VP3’s other teams and Banking teams, the Bank’s policy agenda in each of its countries of operations. It prepares Country Strategies and related updates as well as policy compacts. The RPS team also produces economic and political reviews of the Bank’s countries of operations, including assessments of consistency with Article 1 of the Agreement Establishing the Bank. 

Facts / Scale

The Associate Director, Regional Policy Lead (AD RPL) manages a team of VP3’s associate directors, Principals, Associates and Analysts based in the same region. In close coordination with Banking and with VP3, AD, RPL is responsible for the prioritisation, design and delivery of the Bank’s policy activities in that region. AD RPL is part of the Bank’s regional management team, sharing in the collective responsibility for delivery of the Bank’s regional and country-level scorecard objectives. In designing and delivering a policy agenda that maximises the Bank’s transition impact, AD RPL sits at a nexus between Banking country management and the specialist VP3 teams focused on human capital and economic opportunity, economic governance, green transition, capital and financial markets development, and digitalisation. Banking country management takes the lead in managing local stakeholder relationships, the specialist VP3 teams take the lead or co-lead in defining the goals and implementation strategies for their respective areas. The AD RPL, under the guidance of the Director, Regional Policy and Strategy, is responsible for prioritising those agendas, matching them to the opportunities in each region and leading or supporting their delivery.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Prioritise policy engagements in their region, in consultation with the Regional Managing Director, Head of RO, Country Management, the Director, Regional Policy and Strategy and the thematic and sectoral VP3 and Banking teams. This includes responsibility for the preparation of policy compacts for each county of operation in their region, prepared on the basis of Country Strategies. Oversee the portfolio of active policy engagements, using tools of the policy database, briefings for senior management and policy compacts. Contribute to the preparation of Country Strategies for each country of operation in relevant region, taking responsibility for working with Banking country management to design an overall narrative and agenda. Contribute to the respective regional management team through the regional management meetings and otherwise; contribute to the strategic thinking on growth constraints and on opportunities which can be unlocked through the Bank’s policy work and operations. Coordinate closely with the Bank’s Resident Offices, Ukraine-related teams, including the Ukraine Hub. Serve as a strategic counterpart to the Deputy Head of Ukraine (Government Relations), operating in close lockstep to ensure full complementarity and additionality of efforts to maximize collective impact and institutional leverage. Lead the regional team of VP3 staff, assuring good utilisation of resources, in collaboration with VP3’s policy teams at HQ and Country Management. Manage the cooperation between PSD and CSD specialist teams and the Regional Policy and Strategy team in the region, ensuring effective sharing of information and coordination while avoiding duplication; with such cooperation based on the principles that sector expertise and responsibility for defining a sectoral agenda lies mainly with PSD and CSD, while prioritisation, integration of multiple policy themes and local stakeholder management is the responsibility of the AD, RPL and regional team. Coordinate the preparation of updates to other Bank counterparts on economic and political developments in relevant region, supporting in particular the work of a political counsellor and regional economist allocated to that region, including working with relevant political counsellor and the Deputy Director, Political Affairs, to deliver periodic Article 1 assessments for each country in the relevant region. Support the career development of regional VP3 staff through coaching and personal development plans. Ensure an optimal mix of policy and advisory offerings for large banking transactions, using synergies with the Bank’s investments to maximise transition impact. During implementation, ensure joint delivery of TCs including in the context of OpsCom submissions for large projects. Support Country Management in their dialogue with country authorities, specifically on policy matters (overall responsibility for dialogue with country authorities lies with Country Management). Support RO and sector Banking teams in delivery of their core objectives, including the identification, origination, review, structuring and implementation of investments. In that context, AD RPL has a particular focus on policy dialogue maximising the transition impact of the Bank’s operations.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Advanced university degree in economics or related field; Extensive knowledge of economic and policy issues facing transition economies and emerging markets; Extensive relevant professional experience, preferably in an international organisation, government agency, think tank or other policy environment; Strong managerial skills and a proven track record of multitasking, managing for results and multistakeholder engagement. Experience with policy delivery in emerging market economies, in particular, in the EBRD’s countries of operation; Demonstrated capacity to deliver sectoral reforms and a deep practical understanding of a nexus between political, economic, structural, geographic and geopolitical factors and of how these factors influence national governance and public institutions. Familiarity with the region and with emerging market investments would be an advantage. Knowledge in one or more sector policy areas and project experience would be a major plus; Excellent interpersonal, communication and writing skills; Experience in team management; Fluency written and spoken English. Fluency in one or more of the languages of the relevant region would be an advantage. Ability to plan and organise work unsupervised and to deal with complex matters in line with the EBRD’s expectations; Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines; Ability to operate in a multicultural environment and build effective working relationships with internal/external clients and colleagues.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About 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.

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment. 

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. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively. A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness.  An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do.  A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits.