The Associate Director supports the Director and Secretary General in guiding and steering engagement with the EBRD Board of Directors, overseeing the development and delivery of their strategic work programme, and managing a high-performing multi-cultural team of 9.
Through management of the Board Steering Group, and oversight of all Board and Committee meetings, the role facilitates decision-making processes and institutional initiatives across departments.
The position plays a crucial role in ensuring effective governance on all decisions taken by the Board of Directors and supports the President as Chair of the Board.
To be effective, the Associate Director needs to be regarded as a trusted and impartial adviser by both management and the Board Directors.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities:
Manage the day-to-day operations of the Board and Institutional Affairs team and act as Secretary to the Board Steering Group, including:
Lead, manage and co-ordinate the BIA team members who are responsible for the planning, agenda setting, management and secretariat functions of all meetings of the EBRD’s Board of Directors (Board meetings, Committees, Workshops, Information Sessions etc. This amounts to between 160/170 meetings per year). This includes reviewing Board of Directors minutes.
Preparing forward-looking briefings on the often politically sensitive and complex issues in these meetings.
Ensuring effective pre-and post-Board of Directors coordination and follow-up. Managing the monthly Board Steering Group to discuss key forward look agenda items for the Committees (Audit & Risk, Budget and Administrative Affairs and Financial and Operations Policies) and managing the Board and Committee commitments tracker.
Support and advise the Director and Secretary General on internal/external strategic and corporate governance issues concerning the Board of Directors.
Manage and lead the BIA team of 9, including 4 direct reports (3 x Principals, 1 Associate) and overview of the workload of 1 Analyst, 2 Senior Officers and 1 Officer.In areas of responsibility, contribute to good governance and sound decision-making by:
Providing advice on smooth decision making on all key strategic issues facing the Board of Directors.
Ensuring efficient information flow between relevant stakeholders. The EBRD BoD has 23 resident Directors, 23 Alternate Directors and some 30 Board Advisers. Along with the Assistants in each office, this means that OSG has a direct “client base” of some 100 people who are resident in the Bank, not including management.
Proactively identify and resolve potential cross-cutting issues before they escalate, working effectively while keeping the Director and Secretary General appropriately informed.
The Associate Director oversees all work streams taken forward by their team members. Core to this are the meetings of the Board of Directors and their Committees, but it also includes:
The induction of new Board Directors, Alternate Directors and Advisers (as appropriate);
Ensuring that the EBRD’s Corporate Governance procedures and processes are codified, kept updated and complied with;
Ensuring good information flows between management and the respective Governance organs (Board of Governors, Board of Directors etc.), including oversight of the delivery and constant improvement of the operationally critical Pegasus Board Portal software;
Actively resolving issues and advising on governance, policy and operational related matters as and when they come up.
Act as Secretary to the Board Steering Group working closely with the Chair on coordinating the Board of Directors work programme.
Oversight of the Board Consultation Visits.
Direct accountability for 3 Principals and 1 Associate including:
Recruitment, Performance management and Career development and coaching
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications:
Comprehensive understanding of the EBRD and its mandate. Demonstrable experience of working in an IFI / multilateral institution on governance, political and regulatory matters as well as a strong understanding of the broad range of their operations, internal processes and challenges.
Direct and broad experience of interactions with senior stakeholders, most notably Boards of Directors and Executive Committee members.
First class interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build and leverage relationships of trust and integrity across departmental boundaries. Engages effectively and discreetly to build consensus with senior stakeholders, including in other IFIs.
Strong team player with solutions-oriented approach to complex challenges and a high degree of political and cultural awareness.
Proven diplomatic and influencing skills with the ability to manage complex institutional relationships and navigate political sensitivities.
Experienced at managing people in a multilateral, multilingual organisation, including coaching and leadership skills.
Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills, with the proven ability to perform effectively under pressure, paying attention to detail and to tight deadlines. A strong sense of when to consult with others and/or escalate issues.
Excellent communication skills in English, both written and orally.
Some travel to the Bank’s countries of operations may be required.
