Purpose of Job

Independently analyse and appraise risks of EBRD’s new and existing portfolio of corporate project finance debt transactions in the Energy and Infrastructure sectors; identify required due diligence, recommend appropriate risk mitigation measures and transaction structures, including security, covenants, and pricing. Advise bankers and the Bank’s Committees to ensure that banking projects comply with the Bank’s sound banking mandate. The Associate Director, Senior Risk Officer reviews portfolio projects, assigns credit ratings and communicates trends in the portfolio and lessons learned to management and peers for their broader strategic decision-making and bottom-up stress-testing. The Associate Director, Senior Risk Officer is responsible to lead and coach associate risk officers, analysts and junior bankers rotating through Corporate and Project Finance Credit Risk Management Team. The Associate Director, Senior Risk Officer may be required to deputise in the absence of the Head, Project Finance Credit Risk Management Team.

Background

Risk Management is the Bank’s second line of defence, which is responsible for the independent identification, reporting and mitigation of risks. The Associate Director, Senior Risk Officer provides advice and presents recommendations to the Operations Committee, Small Business Investment Committee (SBIC)/ approves projects together with the Banking department under Delegated Authority, addressing credit concerns, remuneration, and seeks to minimise losses.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Establish an independent and unbiased view on projects proposed to the Operations Committee / SBIC / under Delegated Authority and make clear recommendations, or approvals, on each proposal.
• Analyse the key risks of each proposal and advise on risk mitigation measures, structures, tenor, security, covenants and condition precedents, to the project teams via credit notes. Be versed in climate risk issues that have an effect on new and existing operations, including risk mitigation and reputational issues. Appraise the validity and reliability of key assumptions of each proposal, including via involvement in the commissioning and review of independent due diligence and travel.
• Deliver clear authoritative conclusions in the context of large volumes and tight timescales. Take responsibility for the credit risk of designated own portfolio.
• Ensure projects comply with any relevant risk guidelines, prudential limits set by the Bank, and that appropriate ratings are assigned for probability of default and loss given default. Have the ownership of Risk data in the area of responsibility.
• Exercise independent delegated authority, if granted, regarding portfolio actions (including certain waivers and amendments), and recommendations to senior management on matters requiring higher level approval (including transfers to corporate recovery, provisions and more significant restructuring, etc.).
• Lead proactive and regular monitoring of the assigned portfolio counterparties arranged in sector clusters and countries and market developments. Actively and constructively engage with Banking and other relevant staff to ensure adequacy of front-line monitoring, coach Banking representatives when appropriate (including rotation in Corporate & Project Finance Credit Risk Management).
• In liaison with other Risk Management teams lead sector portfolio reviews and provide input to portfolio stress-tests. Collaborate with other members of staff; especially in the Banking Department, Finance, the Office of the General Counsel, Impact and colleagues in the Resident Office to ensure effective cross-departmental and business functioning.
• Participate in various executive Bank committees - including the Operations Committee, SBIC, RiskCom etc.
• Participate and contribute positively to various initiatives within Risk Management or bank-wide.
• Be an agent of credit culture dissemination, including managing and mentoring of bankers on rotation.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Relevant experience in the Energy sector with demonstrated deal experience in renewable energy. Battery storage projects would be desirable.
• Clear understanding of other Infrastructure sectors (e.g. Transport, Municipal and Environmental Infrastructure).
• Influencing skills in overseeing the Banking team’s structuring of the transaction and articulation of any different views.
• Experience of structuring high yield loans and other financial instruments, in both corporate and project finance.
• May act as the risk expert for the Energy sector and provide operational guidelines to the Banking teams and provide input into project selection and prioritisation.
• Proven skills and track record in autonomous decision-making capacity at a senior level in credit risk in high-risk environments.
• Deliver clear authoritative conclusions in the context of large volumes and tight timescales. Proven skills and track record in decision-making capacity in credit risk in high-risk environments.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills in English and good Excel knowledge.
• Advanced degree in finance, business, economics or equivalent on the job training.
• Demonstrate developing people management skills for junior staff under their coaching/ mentoring responsibility.
• Relevant banking and/or risk management experience is essential.

Behaviours

• The Associate Director, Senior Risk Officer is expected to be authoritative and influential, provide well-judged advice and guidance across the entire business.
• Ability to analyse and size up projects rapidly and to make authoritative recommendations and credit decisions.
• Ability to build rapport and understanding with bankers and gain their respect by presenting sound arguments based on evidence.
• Ability to deliver information in the right format to differing groups by having effective writing and verbal skills.
• Willingness to find and share technical knowledge about international best practice, specific industry, country or projects.
• Solution-orientated approach and a collaborative working style, ability to understand and awareness of the perspectives of others.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About 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.

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment.

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. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively.
• A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness.
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do.
• A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits.

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does. 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, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.

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).