Purpose of Job

The Director, ESD Operations is a member of the Environment and Sustainability Department’s (ESD) leadership team and supports the Managing Director in executing ESD’s role in the Bank. This includes leading and delivering all aspects of project assessments and appraisal/due diligence activities relating to the Bank’s projects and investment activities to ensure compliance within the Bank’s commitment to sound environmental and sustainable development as per the articles establishing the Bank reflected in the environmental and social policy mandate and other related commitments. Key deliverables for the role include responsibility for ESD’s activities related to the sectors, management of the sector teams, and coordination of the sector teams with the other teams across the department.

The sector teams conduct oversight and independent verification of relevant Bank assessments and approaches related to the various sectors. These teams hold the substantial technical knowledge within ESD, and as such supports and work actively across all ESD teams, both in other sectors and within the policy and monitoring areas.

Background

ESD works closely and interacts daily with the banking teams and other departments as relevant to drive the shared agenda of sound environment and sustainable development. The department has specialists responsible for the environmental and social appraisal, assessment and monitoring of Bank’s portfolio of projects and activities in various sectors. ESD is responsible for, and the custodians of, the Environmental and Social Policy (ESP). Main interaction is with the Banking teams during project development and implementation, where an active participation is expected from ESD in assessing gaps against applicable policy provisions, identify and develop solutions and opportunities, and thereby ensure compliance as well as increased environmental and social transition impact, delivering sound environment and sustainable development.

Within its mandate, ESD:

• conducts oversight and verification of the banks approaches and assessments,
• interacts frequently with the Board, banking and external stakeholders,
• is responsible for data collection and data management,
• is responsible for standards and minimum requirements,
• oversees and assesses environmental and sustainability related risk,
• is responsible monitoring, reporting, verification,
• is responsible for the ESP and related policy management and policy development, methodologies and guidance.

The sector teams under the Director work closely with Banking teams during project development and implementation, where an active participation is expected in identifying and developing environmental and social solutions and opportunities. These sector teams are expected to deliver solid and timely assessments and due diligence, and provide independent assurance on compliance with applicable policy provisions.

Facts / Scale

Responsible for:

• A function of up to 40 people, consultants and corresponding budget, within a hybrid working model.
• Budget responsibility for non-staff cost and day to day management of staffing cost
• Leading ESD sector related activities – appraisals, due diligence, assessments, sector works and for supporting and lending resources to other sector teams and the policy and MRV teams,
• Overall coordination of ESD Operational resources in HQ
• Leading advisory role to the Managing Director, ESD and the Vice President, Chief Risk Officer regarding the ESD project related assessments, appraisal/ due diligence processes.
• Interactions with all Senior Management of the Bank, including in the ROs.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• As delegated by the MD, ESD leads and drives all aspects of project assessments and appraisal/due diligence activities relating to the Bank’s projects and investment activities to ensure compliance within the Bank’s environmental and social policy mandate and other Bank commitments.
• Responsible for inputting into ESD’s strategy and translating this into team delivery plans and objectives which align to the Bank’s overall strategy.
• Responsible for the function’s delivery of successful appraisals and due diligence work with the clients as well as oversight of assessments and approaches developed by other parts of the Bank pertaining to the sector and activities.
• Leads and manages the sector function with close cooperation with the Director, Policy and Monitoring.
• Proactively and strategically identifies and manages the pipeline and incoming workload of Bank projects and activities for the function, ensuring effective and efficient workforce planning, allocation of work and resourcing in HQ and, in coordination with the Director Policy & Monitoring, the ROs.
• Significantly contributes to and influences Bank-wide frameworks and initiatives, particularly related to those impacting ESD positions / approaches in the sectors.
• Monitors and ensures the teams provide timely and effective support with resources and expertise to:
  • the policy team,
  • the monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) team,
  • regional representatives
  • other parts of ESD.
• Accountable for the timely delivery of appraisals, due diligence and assessments to the ESD internal processes and input into the overall investment cycle.
• Undertakes a key advisory role to the Managing Director and Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and represents ESD at Board and other fora as relevant.
• Provides leadership and strategic oversight of all projects and ESD activities within the sectors, promoting a partnership approach with stakeholders both within ESD and across the Bank.
• Deputises as required for the Managing Director, in coordination with the Director Policy and Monitoring.
• Proactively develops open and constructive working relationships with key stakeholders across the Bank, leads and oversees the sector teams interaction and relationship with banking and others core counterparts.
• Directly accountable for the engagement and effective overall management of staff in the function including recruitment, talent and performance management, coaching and development.
• Champions and role models 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

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Demonstrated significant people management skills, including workforce and resource planning.
• Proven role model for collaboration and delivering effective solutions relating to complex issues
• Track record of mitigating conflicts and demonstrated balanced and inclusive behaviour, exhibiting strong judgement and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated business acumen
• Extensive leadership experience gained in an International Financial Institution or a financial services organisation
• Proven experience of building strong working relationships with Banking teams
• Experience of operating with excellent judgement in a demanding client facing role
• Strong partnership, influencing, and client orientation skills to enable positive engagement with stakeholders throughout the Bank and externally
• Experience designing, planning and delivering change, particularly related to implementing new ways of working,
• Excellent leadership and communication skills combined with the ability to manage and motivate professionals to deliver on objectives effectively in a multi-cultural, results orientated organisation,
• Proven strong coaching skill, particularly related to the development of team members. Knowledge and expertise of technical environmental/ green and/or social issues,
• Strong knowledge, experience and expertise in environmental/ social due diligence/ appraisals,
• Solid understanding, insight and experience with the relevant sector and clients,
• Relevant degree or equivalent experience.

Challenges

• The role requires combining a compliance driven approach to appraisals and assessments with undisputed integrity while focusing on solution and compromise oriented outcomes under time and political pressures of delivering on business targets
• Successfully manage a diverse team in a challenging context, actively mitigate conflicts while acting as colleague and leader.
• Establish excellent constructive working relationship with other parts of the Bank as well as external stakeholders while maintaining the highest degree of integrity
• Successfully manage and coordinate flow of resources both between sector teams and between sector teams and the policy and monitoring teams and regional representatives while facilitate personal and professional development.
• Keeping ahead of and up to date on the relevant policy and a sector developments to ensure the teams and ESD remains relevant and constructive in conducting its day to day work.

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.