ESD is a team of 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, identifying, and developing solutions and opportunities, and thereby ensuring 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 Bank's 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 for monitoring, reporting, verification,
is responsible for the ESP and related policy management and policy development, methodologies and guidance.
The Associate is expected to manage tasks and initiatives and may work individually or with the support of Analysts. The Associate will typically work under general guidance of more senior team members.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities:
Under the general direction of the Head of Sector/Policy/Monitoring/Assurance:
Work on a range of assigned projects, Technical Cooperations (TCs), tasks and initiatives, often as the owner of, or contributing specialist for projects and activities. These activities may include contributing to assessment of ESP compliance, E&S risks impacts and opportunities, climate and nature risks, Paris Alignment and green finance attribution, monitoring, verification and reporting, and assurance.
Conduct ESD analytical, scientific, and technical reviews and appraisals, developing methodologies, monitoring outputs/outcomes, managing data, reviewing and developing internal and external publications, supporting the negotiation of E&S contract terms,
Undertake work travel as requested.
When required, the Associate will be expected to coordinate meetings and events on behalf of ESD / the Bank.
The Associate will engage and work with several key stakeholders on all levels both internal to the Bank and externally. This includes liaising with a variety staff at different levels, clients and consultants.
Support building internal and external capacity on environmental, social, and green finance matters by producing lessons learned/ fact sheets and/ or keep brief information sessions on specific topics and experiences.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of internal processes and procedures, including the streamlining, collection, management, and automation of data.
Coordinate and prepare internal and external reports, reporting approaches, and methodologies.
Work in line with Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications:
Degree in environmental and/or social sciences/economics, engineering, or related field or comparable professional experience.
Experience appraising environmental and social risks and impacts of a range of projects and/or sectors.
Knowledge of international good practice environmental, social and climate standards/guidelines (e.g. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Environmental and Social Requirements, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards, Equator Principles, Paris Agreement alignment, Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), International Sustainability Standards Board (SSB), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), sector guidelines, etc).
Familiarity of financing instruments, approaches and processes is an advantage.
Good knowledge of environmental and social thematic policy and safeguards areas and the risks and impacts of various sectors.
Familiarity with the countries in which the Bank operates / plans to operate
Effective time management and organisational skills and ability to multi-task without losing attention to detail. Proven analytical skills.
Good interpersonal skills and an ability to work independently and within a team.
Excellent written and spoken English. Familiarity with a language of the EBRD countries of operations would be advantageous and, for a resident office appointment, local language fluency will be required.
Proven analytical and quantitative skills.
Demonstrated interpersonal and effective communication skills.
Experience operating in a multicultural environment and building effective working relationships with internal/external clients and colleagues.
