Purpose of Job

The Principal Counsellor, Governance is responsible for overseeing effective delivery of key programme components and outcomes; supports strategic programme planning and design; and oversees overall achievement, evaluation and monitoring of reform and recovery outcomes.
S/he monitors, analyses and reports on policy developments affecting the recovery and reform landscape in Ukraine and formulates proposals for potential new assignments within the areas of his/her responsibility; ensures alignment of programme activities with Ukraine’s EU integration agenda; contributes to other assignments linked to the URA programme in support of Ukraine recovery in close collaboration with other colleagues at the Bank; provides advice to senior management on recovery related topics; supports high-level policy dialogue with the Government of Ukraine and liaises at an appropriate level with political leaders, international partners and inter-governmental organisations active in the transition region.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Oversee the work of Reform Support Teams (RST in the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, RST in the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, RST in State Customs Service of Ukraine), including oversight of formulation of priorities, work plans, results delivery and monitoring, team management, and overall support to successful RST operations;
• Support strategic planning of programme operations, including overall programme design, formulation of programme objectives, focus, structure, design of new assignments under the project, among others;
• Contribute to aligning programme activities with Ukraine’s EU integration agenda, including through the provision of analysis and international best practice in the domain of EU integration;
• Oversee the programme’s engagement in assignments in support of human capital resilience and recovery in Ukraine, implemented jointly with the Gender and Inclusion team at the Bank;
• Lead on the design and oversee the implementation of outcome-based management across the Project;
• Oversee the work under the Public Administration Reform component of the programme, and lead the design, delivery and evaluation of capacity development across the programme and with GoU counterparts;
• Ensure coordination with relevant EBRD internal teams (e.g. Grant Unit, DCF, Communications, Banking, Compliance, DFO, etc.);
• Contribute to the negotiations on priority reforms with government counterparts;
• Conduct research on specific policy developments and provide briefings/presentations for Senior Management to be delivered to EBRD stakeholders and external audiences;
• Identify and analyse emerging needs of Ukrainian authorities with respect to short-term recovery as well as medium to long-term reconstruction, and formulate proposals for new potential engagements/projects in support of Ukraine recovery in the specific areas of responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as public policy/politics, law, international relations, journalism, political economy, economics, business.
• Significant hands-on experience with project management and coordination of complex donor funded projects related to policy development and reform implementation in Ukraine;
• Extensive hands-on experience in Ukraine or other EBRD recipient countries, including strong understanding of the ongoing reform and recovery processes in Ukraine;
• Understanding of economic reforms, economic regulation, governance, public administration and political economy issues in the transition region and knowledge of economics/finance;
• Experience in and/or knowledge of international best practice in the field of Public Administration Reform and institutional capacity development;
• Knowledge and experience in the design of monitoring and evaluation systems for public policy/development projects, programmes or policies;
• Strong ability to establish trusted professional relationships with local and international stakeholders;
• Ability to operate independently in political, diplomatic and business environments, diplomatic skills required for regular contact with senior national and international officials;
• Good understanding of the Bank’s mandate;
• Excellent communication and report writing skills in English at the standard required for official documents.

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.