Purpose of Job

The Principal G&EI is a member of the Gender and Economic Inclusion Team (G&EI) which consists of three pillars (Access to Skills and Employment, Access to Finance and Entrepreneurship, and Access to Services) and plays an important role in implementing the Bank’s mandate to promote transition in the EBRD’s countries of operations (COOs). Under the overall guidance of the Director, Gender and Economic Inclusion and working in close cooperation with G&EI colleagues as well as other departments under the VP3 (i.e. Climate Strategy and Delivery (CSD), Policy Strategy and Delivery (PSD), Impact & Partnerships (IP)), the Banking department and other Bank groups (Risk, Environmental and Social Teams, Legal, Communications etc), the post holder will lead and coordinate the gender and inclusion actions, with special attention to access to finance and entrepreneurship. The post holder also designs and leads on policy engagement for inclusive and gender equitable policy reforms to facilitate the inclusive finance. In addition, the Principal (I) supports the regular assessment of “transition gaps” in relation to gender, youth and regions which are used to identify operational priorities for project level investments, in sector and country strategies. They support the design and implementation of gender and inclusion related policy dialogue with key stakeholders in the region – governments, regulators, the private sector and other relevant international institutions – to advise on equality of Opportunity and advancement of women economic empowerment reforms and help coordinate policy, technical and financial assistance.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• In line with the Bank’s Transition mandate, supports the design, appraisal and monitoring of investment projects and TCs for their impact on inclusion as part of transition and monitors the portfolio of projects with inclusion impact for transition performance, through engagement with Banking project teams and due diligence visits to the region;
• Supports the establishment of inclusion and gender baselines, the assessment of relevant international best practice models and identifies ways in which these could be applied in a project and policy dialogue context.
• Monitors and assesses reform challenges and progress in relation to inclusion and gender issues within the Bank’s countries of operation and leads on the design and delivery of inclusion policy dialogue, through analytical work, contributions towards strategy papers and direct liaison with key senior level stakeholders such as education authorities, private sector clients and strategic partners of the Bank.
• Manages the development of inclusion and gender Technical Cooperation (TC) projects (and larger Inclusion TC Frameworks) to support the inclusion elements of projects, specifically in relation to youth and region inclusion and gender through improved (vocational) education and training or access to finance, supports the selection and management of consultants and monitoring of impact and lessons learned;
• As part of the Bank’s Scorecard, advises on the inclusion element for transition ratings and monitoring of inclusion related transition impact benchmarks, covering projects for the Bank’s Operational Committees (OpsCom, SBIC, and TCCom);
• Supports the drafting and analytical work to provide input into management briefing for Board and other Committee meetings, including responses to questions by Board Advisors on occasion.
• Supports inclusion and gender capacity building within the Bank, specifically in Banking teams and Regional / Resident Offices, through presentations, inclusion and gender workshops and seminars. Maintains a strong awareness of the international debate on gender, inclusion, skills and inequality issues;
• Represents the Bank at inclusion and gender related fora and other events (e.g. conferences, dialogues with IFI counterparts, government officials, think tanks, etc.) to develop and spread best practices.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree in economics, international development or related field from a leading university;
• Demonstrated policy or development / inclusion / gender expertise and prior work experience in policy oriented or development area, gained for example through full-time employment in a financial or governmental institution, consultancy/company, think tank or academia;
• Substantial progressive responsibility mainstreaming gender and inclusion in projects in international organizations in a variety of sector with experience in supporting private and public sector;
• Strong social analysis and research skills including command of quantitative and qualitative methods of research, and knowledge of gender and inclusion issues in a variety or regions;
• Knowledge and experience applying results-based approaches to project and program management;
• Experience of working with donors and familiarity with broader donor debates and best practices;
• Fieldwork experience in EBRD countries of operations will be considered an advantage;
• Ability to think strategically, and to innovate, results oriented, ability to work under several deadlines simultaneously;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work in a multicultural team;
• Excellent oral and writing skills in English; Knowledge of one or more languages of the region is an advantage.

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.