Job Description

Requisition ID 33897
Office Country United Kingdom
Office City London
Division Office of the Secretary General
Contract Type Short Term
Contract Length 12 months
Posting End Date 20/09/2023

Purpose of Job

The EBRD has a resident Board of Directors, comprised of 23 Directors (as well as Alternate Directors and Advisers) who are elected by the Board of Governors, and represent either one or a number of members in 23 Constituency Offices in the Bank\'s headquarters. The Office of the Secretary General (OSG) acts as the liaison between the Bank\'s Management and its Board of Governors and Board of Directors, to resolve institutional and governance-related issues, ensure the key governance bodies function properly, and to facilitate formal decision-making processes.

The Associate works within the Board and Institutional Affairs (BIA) team to support the work of the Board of Directors.

The Associate leads the development and delivery of a work programme of Board Workshops and Board Information Sessions, which are chaired by a member of the Bank\'s Senior Management and attended by Board Directors, Alternate Directors and Advisers. After these meetings, the Associate briefs the President and the Executive Committee in writing on the outcomes of the meetings, which can have strategic, operational, governance or other implications for the Bank. The Associate is responsible for ensuring relevant teams are aware of required follow up action. The Associate will also write minutes of some of the meetings. Both outputs require a clear understanding of the issues being discussed, and of the perspectives of the Directors involved in the discussion.

The Associate will act as the Secretariat Lead for Board meetings (on rotation with other team members), brief the President and First Vice President ahead of these meetings and write the minutes of these meetings. The Associate also leads the delivery of Briefing Sessions and some other ad hoc meetings attended by Board Directors, Alternates and Advisers that senior management request OSG to organise. The Associate also leads on organisation and delivery of up to four Board Consultation Visits per year (see below).

The Associate also assists the delivery of the Board Induction programme for new Directors and Alternate Directors and will help with organising the programme liaising closely with Board members and senior management. The programme is refreshed each year and the Associate has the chance to contribute to the design of the programme and improve it. A good understanding of key issues facing the Bank is helpful for this part of the role.

The Associate will also help OSG management on specific corporate governance topics, working with teams from across the Bank to facilitate the Bank\'s strategic decision-making. This includes tasks related to delivery of the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors.

Key internal and external networks for this role include the President and her office, members of senior management, colleagues across the Bank at all levels, and the Board of Directors.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Managing the work programme of Board Information Sessions and Board Workshops. This involves management, oversight, delivery and follow-up of Board Workshops and Information Sessions. These are often complex and politically sensitive topics that require a high-level of sensitive and diplomatic interaction with Board Directors, ExCom members and other senior stakeholders;

• Responsible for the management, oversight, delivery and follow-up of Briefing Sessions and occasionally other Board related ad hoc meetings;

• Responsible for the preparation and delivery of Board Meetings (on rotation with other team members);

• Facilitate the relationship between senior management, the relevant banking teams and the Board in relation to all aspects of Board-related meetings. This involves:

- Providing advice and guidance to the senior stakeholders (eg the Secretary General) on smooth delivery of meetings;

- Providing logistical and organisational advice and support during meetings;

- Preparing, reviewing, negotiating and finalising the official meeting record of the Board Workshops and Board Meetings;

- Following-up on outstanding issues;

• Responsible for the organisation and delivery of up to four Board Consultation Visits a year. This includes:

- Preparing a list of proposed countries to support the Board in the selection of destinations for the visits and assisting the Chair of Board Steering Group in the allocation of participants;

- Providing advice and guidance to the relevant Resident Office on the draft programme and briefing package;

- Organising and scheduling preparatory meetings ahead of the visit;

- Providing logistical and organisational advice and support in the lead up to, and during, the visit.

Suggesting improvements to the BCVs building on lessons learned and the BCV Guidelines when needed working with key stakeholders.

• Assist in the design, organisation, delivery and follow-up of the Board Induction Programme. The programme requires working with individual Board Directors, ExCom members and senior management on a one-to-one basis, ensuring all needs and requirements of participants are met before and after the induction sessions to ensure the effective on-boarding of new Directors. This includes:

- Identifying key issues that new Directors should be aware of and identifying the best format for sharing this information; liaising with Senior Management to ensure agreement;

- Organising and scheduling Board Induction sessions;

- Facilitating sessions on the day;

- Providing advice and support during sessions;

• Providing support on the Board Committees and acting as Secretariat for these meetings as required.

• Undertaking specific projects, research or analysis on governance topics as required.

• As part of wider OSG, contributing to the effective delivery of the EBRD Annual Meeting on a business-led basis (recent tasks included assisting the Partners\' Programme and summarising Governor statements).

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Excellent English, both written and spoken.
• Ability to follow complex discussions, to capture and understand the key points made, and to communicate these succinctly, clearly and accurately.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships of tact, confidentiality and trust with a broad range of colleagues, including senior managers.
• Experience of working in or with international organisations, ideally with knowledge/experience of governance related functions.
• Demonstration of independent and objective judgment. An ability to operate across organisational boundaries and in a multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills. Strong communication skills and a sound understanding of diplomacy.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to prioritise competing demands, with a strong sense of when to consult with others and/or escalate issues.
• Proactive and with an analytical aptitude. Self-motivation to learn, take the initiative and take on new issues and tasks.
• An appreciation of the importance of good process and attention to detail and ability to ensure follow up on programmes and initiatives. Excellent administrative skills and attention to detail.
• Understanding of the Bank\'s mandate and its shareholders: knowledge and understanding of the rules of procedure governing the Board of Directors and the Board of Governors (or a desire to learn them).
• Computer literate, including the MS Office Suite.
• Preferably a degree and relevant post-graduate experience.
• Willingness to travel to the Bank\'s Countries of Operations.

Please note that CCTs and applicants working directly for a Board office can only apply for jobs advertised via the external website.

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.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development