Role Overview

EBRD aims to strengthen the economic governance frameworks that underpin private sector development across its regions, applying its unique business model, which combines investment, policy dialogue and technical assistance. As part of its policy engagement mandate, the Bank supports its countries of operations in enhancing their legal and regulatory frameworks and helps corporate clients improve their climate and sustainability governance, strategic alignment and disclosures. 

The advertised position sits with the Sustainable Finance Governance and Regulation (SFGR) Unit, which was established as part of the Legal Transition Programme (LTP) of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The SFGR Unit was created in response to growing demand from countries and clients to elevate climate and nature governance, strengthen transition planning and strategically align businesses with low carbon, resilient and nature-positive pathways. The Unit works closely with policy and operational teams across the Bank to deliver on the EBRD’s green transition agenda and Paris alignment commitments.

The Counsel will contribute to the delivery of the SFDR Unit’s workplan, informed by the Bank’s strategic direction as set out in the Strategic and Capital Framework (SCF) 2026-2030 and the Green Economy Transition (GET) Strategy 2030. Specific topic areas that the Counsel would work on may evolve over time at the discretion of OGC Management.

The Counsel will lead and support the development and implementation of high-impact policy and legal initiatives that enable sustainable finance, credible transition planning, climate and nature-related governance and green investment across the EBRD regions.

The Counsel will engage and collaborate with a broad set of stakeholders, including Bank staff, government officials, regulators, private and public sector clients and other market participants, to identify obstacles, design solutions and drive reforms that strengthen governance, enhance transparency and unlock finance towards resilient, competitive and sustainable economic models.

In identifying and delivering policy and legal reform projects, the Counsel will report to the Head of the SFGR Unit and will work closely with colleagues across OGC, Policy and Partnerships, Banking teams, Regional Offices, and sector experts to ensure alignment with operational needs, country and sector strategies and the Bank’s investment priorities.

The Legal Transition Programme (LTP) is the EBRD’s flagship initiative to contribute to predictable, transparency and investor-friendly legal environments across its countries of operations. The Programme is administered by OGC and delivers policy dialogue, legal and regulatory reform, institution‑building and knowledge‑sharing across a wide range of areas central to the Bank’s mandate.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The Counsel typically will be responsible for:

• Supporting the delivery of the SFDR Unit’s objectives and workplan, including advising private and public sector clients across a wide range of sectors (energy, manufacturing and services, agribusiness, natural resources, financial institutions, real estate, cities/municipalities) on strengthening climate and nature-related governance, risk management, transition planning and alignment with emerging regulatory and investor’s expectations.  
• Advising on the application and implementation of sustainability- and climate-related disclosure standards and regulations (e.g., ISSB, CSRD/ESRS, SFDR, Taxonomy) at an institutional and project levels, as well as supporting the Unit’s thought leadership on ESG, governance and sustainability reporting;
• Leading projects aimed at structuring and delivering credible climate governance action plans, transition plans, policy actions and sustainability commitments for clients (i.e., corporates, financial institutions and cities) in line with emerging best practices, regulatory regimes and as delivered through the Bank’s Corporate Climate Governance Facility (https://www.ebrd.com/ccg-facility);
• Assisting bankers, regional, sector and climate policy leads, impact and other internal teams in designing and developing corporate policy sustainability actions, strategies and frameworks to deliver on Bank’s SCF, sector and country strategies, and enhance the transition impact of projects;
• Supporting clients with the design and implementation of sustainability-related strategies, risk management approaches and related frameworks focused on delivering business value and unlocking finance opportunities;
• Designing and leading policy, legal, and regulatory solutions to support sustainable finance markets and enable clients’ transitions towards resilient, competitive, well-governed, inclusive and low‑carbon business models;
• Preparing high-quality policy, legal reform and institution-building project proposals across sustainable finance, governance, transition planning, climate and environmental law, and value-chain regulation; presenting proposals for internal approval and funding allocation;
• Advising national authorities and regulators on the design and implementation of climate, environmental, nature / biodiversity, sustainable finance and broader sustainability-related legislation;
• Assists OGC Management on specific assignments;
• Implementing legal reform and institution-building projects, including managing procurement processes, supervising consultants, coordinating with national counterparties and reporting project progress to EBRD management and donors;
• Liaising with other International Financial Institutions, bilateral agencies, public and private sector networks and international standard-setters to ensure alignment, leverage synergies and contribute to emerging best practice in sustainable finance, governance, regulation, and reporting;
• Promoting the EBRD’s work and international standards in transition countries, including speaking at international fora, contributing to Law in Transition, and developing external publications and knowledge products.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

 The Counsel is expected to:

• Have relevant professional experience (at least 5 years) gained at a top-rated law firm, international financial institution, government/regulatory body or similar environment with a focus on sustainable finance, climate/sustainability governance, regulation and reporting, environmental/climate law and policy, or closely related legal/policy domains.
• Demonstrate substantive knowledge and practical experience in ESG‑related legal and policy advisory work for financial institutions, corporates and/or regulators. Experience with EU or international sustainable finance frameworks (e.g. CSRD/ESRS, EU Taxonomy, SFDR) and/or climate and environmental legislation is a strong advantage.
• Hold (i) a university degree in law from a leading institution and (ii) a post‑graduate law degree or equivalent professional experience. Background in finance and/or economics is an advantage.
• Be admitted/qualified to practise law in at least one jurisdiction, with experience in civil‑law, common‑law or mixed systems.
• Have excellent command of English, including superior drafting and negotiation skills. Working knowledge of French, Russian, Arabic or other EBRD languages is desirable.
• Demonstrate excellent legal drafting, negotiation, analytical and project management skills.
• Possess outstanding interpersonal, communication and presentation abilities.
• Be able to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment and manage multiple workstreams under time pressure.
• Be an effective team player with strong diplomatic and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure to challenging deadlines.

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).