Purpose of the job

The Senior Officer, EU Pillar, plays a key role in the Bank’s engagement with the EU on its flagship programme for EBRD’s EU Countries of Operations. The focus of the role is on supporting Donor Partnerships staff members generally in their negotiation and implementation of EU funding programmes including both financing instruments and advisory support, and specifically on the implementation of the InvestEU programme. The Senior Officer may, from time to time, support staff members implementing other EU-funded programmes where such support will contribute to the smooth running of the EU Pillar team.

As well as providing administrative and budget-related support to EU Pillar team members, the Senior Officer will also interact with colleagues across the Bank, and contacts in external organisations

Background

The EU is a key strategic partner for EBRD. In addition to being a shareholder, it is by far the largest donor and contributed a third of all grant resources received by the Bank since its inception. Fostering close and productive relationships with the EU has been a core aim of the Bank for many years.

The EU Pillar in Donor Partnerships is responsible for leading and developing the design of new products for EU co-financing and advisory services, as well as leveraging and managing EU funding from a range of sources.

With the launch of new EU flagship guarantee programmes, Invest EU and EFSD+, the EU expects to significantly increase the amount of unfunded budgetary guarantees deployed through Implementing Partners (IFIs/ DFIs). The administrative and reporting workflows associated with the guarantee programmes is significant and expected to grow in line with the volume of guarantee funds provisioned.

The Senior Officer role provides administrative support to the EU Pillar Team, including some or all of the following: general research, reporting data management and analysis, travel arrangements, procurement activities, and meeting and event arrangement. The Senior Officer position will include Budget, Records Management, Human Resources and IT coordination.

The Senior Officer will manage their own work, whilst dealing with queries and resolving issues independently (escalating more complex issues to their line manager). This role will involve dealing with the departmental Director, Managers and other colleagues within the team; other EBRD departments; and key donor counterparts including but not limited to a range of Directorates General within the European Commission.

Scale

The EU Team comprises 19 staff based in London.

The InvestEU programme deployed in EU Member States that are also EBRD Countries of Operation, comprises over EUR 750mn of budgetary guarantees, supported by up to EUR 60mn of non-refundabe advisory grants under the current Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027).

The total volume of financial instruments and advisory grants to be deployed in non-EU EBRD Countries of Operation over the same period exceeds EUR 1bn.

The Senior Officer has some or all of the following accountabilities and responsibilities:

Administration:

• Assist with preparation and processing of internal documents to be submitted to the Bank’s committees (e.g. ExCom, OpsCom, SP Com, TC Com, BAAC, FOPC, Board)
• Manage internal/external correspondence/requests including drafting responses for review, forwarding for action within the team and interfacing with other departments to ensure that follow-up action is taken
• Maintain and manage data in EBRD-specific applications (DTM, SAP etc…) to ensure accuracy of Bank records
• Support compilation and entry of data into EU-specific applications (ECFIN MIS etc…) under supervision of Associate Director, EU Donor Funds
• Coordinate all required facilities, catering and technical assistance for internal/external meetings/training sessions, including venue sourcing, as well as billing arrangements.
• Identify opportunities to improve departmental processes and outputs to ensure they are kept up to date and fit for purpose
• Arrange all elements of travel according to EBRD policy including arranging visas, accommodation, ordering currency and preparing itineraries as well as claiming expenses.
• Diary management – arranging internal and external meetings, conference calls and responding to meeting requests on behalf of the team and/or line manager

Consultancy:

• From time to time, manage the procurement and delivery of consultancy assignments, including organising of invoicing and payments, to ensure the process runs smoothly

Budget:

• Proactively manage and monitor programme budget(s) to ensure accuracy and compliance with the Bank’s procedures

Reporting:

• Under the supervision of Associate Drector, EU Donor Funds, support team members in the collation and preparation of reporting data for both internal use and for submission to the EU (or other relevant entities as may be necessary from time to time)
• Undertake internet-based research on both a planned and an ad hoc basis and complete internal and external document searches, to provide Managers with essential information for the production of reports
• Assist with the production of reports and presentation material, undertaking secondary proof-reading and editorial work

Perform specific data-based analytical work to provide Managers with essential information for the production of reports

Academic Qualifications

• A degree and/or equivalent business experience
• A recognised secretarial or business qualification desirable
• Fluent English, with excellent written and oral communication skills
• Knowledge of one or more EBRD Member Country languages, both written and spoken, desirable but not essential

Experience/Knowledge

• Good level of numeracy Strong organisational, administrative and analytical skills
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and to prioritise and schedule tasks
• Attention to detail and eye for accuracy

Familiarity / experience of EU institutions desirable but not essential

Technical Skills

• Computer literate: Windows XP: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Proven skills in drafting business correspondence and documents, summarising information in written narratives and presentations including textual, numeric and graphic/charts parts
• Knowledge of SAP desirable

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).