Back Associate, Climate Strategy and Regional Delivery, Western Balkans

Requisition ID 33938 Office Country Republic of Serbia Office City Belgrade Division Policy and Partnerships Contract Type Fixed Term Contract Length 2 years Posting End Date 12/10/2023

Purpose of Job

In 2022, following the energy crisis that affected deeply the six Western Balkan countries (WB6), the European Commission announced a comprehensive EUR 1 billion Energy Support Package for WB6 and identified EUR 100 million of Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP) replenishment as one of the key short to medium term measures to advance energy security of the region. As the Energy Support Package is one of the cornerstones of the European Union (EU) energy policy diplomacy and support in the WB6, compelling and articulate communication of the REEP project achievements is particularly important. Furthermore, achieving synergies between REEP and other donor-funded projects, particularly in the area of energy efficiency, in WB6 is of particular importance.

The Associate will support the implementation and delivery of the EBRD’s Green Economy Transition (GET) strategy in the WB6 providing on-the-ground support for the management of the REEP in particular the Policy Dialogue (PD) component; actively engaging with national authorities from REEP beneficiary countries to identify priority reform areas; liaising with representatives from the European Commission, European Delegations in WB6 and the Energy Community Secretariat (EnCS); managing the PD consultant to ensure REEP objectives are achieved; and contributing to the preparation of all reporting required, as part of the REEP Funding Agreement.

In addition, the Associate will contribute to increase the scale of resource efficiency focused technical assistance and investments in WB6 funded by Austria’s DRIVE (Delivering Resource efficiency InVEstments) Fund. In particular, the Associate will support TC and policy assignments related to sustainable resource investments through: developing a clear understanding of the scale, challenges and opportunities of the resource efficiency market both in terms of existing technologies and new solutions based on eco-innovation applied to processes, products and services; identification of high-transition impact investment opportunities to improve energy, water and materials efficiency and ensure the technical and financial feasibility of the investments; prioritization of requirements for technical assistance in the resource-efficiency related innovation, investment planning and implementation process and other related areas.

Operating out of Belgrade and working under the guidance of AD Head CSRD CSEE and the Principal CSD Western Balkans/ RO Management, the Associate will collaborate closely with Donor Partnerships to ensure coordinated delivery of the REEP and DRIVE Fund that will support the delivery of GET investment and policy objectives across multiple public and private sector counterparts.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Under direction from CSRD and RO Management and working with more senior members of the team, the Associate will contribute to the following areas of work in a leading or support capacity:

• Lead/coordinate the planning and delivery of in-country green policy dialogue, particularly relating to the areas of energy and resource efficiency, including originating and prioritising activities in agreement with CSD and RO Management, proposing engagement strategies, ensuring external coordination and resource allocation.
• Engage with relevant authorities on reform issues linked to energy and resource efficiency linking directly or indirectly to EBRD financing opportunities and ensuring delivery of green policy activities, including implementation monitoring and impact analysis: this means leading/co-leading in collaboration with HQ or RO colleagues, support for RO or HQ management, and direct engagement.
• Responsible for originating, launching and managing (or supporting) REEP PD technical cooperation assignments (incl. identification of objectives; procurement and management of consultants, development, review and approval of ToRs, review and approval of budget proposals; review of deliverables before submission to the beneficiaries; monitoring of project implementation and timely delivery by the Consultants; holding regular project management meetings with the Consulting Team and the EnCS).
• As the DRIVE Fund Manager, facilitate matchmaking between the Bank’s TC pipeline and DRIVE eligibility for funding, liaising with sector bankers to scale resource efficiency investments in the WB region, and manage relationships with local stakeholders as needed.
• Contribute to donor funding mobilisation in order to support assignments, working in close collaboration with colleagues from Donor Partnerships and other relevant departments.
• Monitoring and Reporting, Communication and Donor Visibility: support Donor Partnerships with overall REEP management and reporting activities as required, including preparing regular progress updates and participating at Steering Committees meetings, the EnCS Energy Efficiency Coordination Group etc. (also liaising as necessary with other IFIs that are co-financing partners under REEP), as well as donor visibility and donor engagement.
  • Maintaining a project database and a deliverables monitoring tool.
  • Prepare/contribute to the preparation of detailed annual and semi-annual reports for the donor, as well as regular briefings as required.
  • Ensure adequate donor visibility in all outputs and deliverables.
  • Prepare publicity/communication materials such as brochures, videos etc. in co-operation with the Communications and Donor Partnerships departments.
  • Separately for DRIVE Fund, prepare the Annual Fund Report, as well as other ad-hoc reporting as required.
  • Support green investments delivery and business development: in partnership with country and sector banking teams identify and carry out frontier green business development, focusing on energy and resource efficiency finance opportunities working across all main sectors of Bank activity.
  • Contribute to the definition of a strategic approach for GET including market intelligence, supporting WB6 country diagnostics and developing key stakeholder relationships that will support the delivery of REEP, the implementation of the activities supported by DRIVE and advance the Bank’s decarbonisation efforts in the WB6.
  • External representation: the Associate is one of the Bank’s representatives externally and will be expected participate in relevant meetings, events and fora at country and regional level to ensure consistency of approach and effectiveness of delivery.

    Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

    • Master’s Degree in a technical discipline such as engineering, economics, environmental sustainability or a related discipline.
    • Excellent understanding of policy analysis and policy formulation in the areas of energy and resource efficiency, climate change and technology transfer.
    • Knowledge and experience with green finance initiatives active in the EBRD region and investment needs and opportunities of various economic sectors (in particular residential sector, industry, commerce, agribusiness, energy).
    • Experience in working with donors and implementation of donor funded programmes.
    • Relevant, technical and commercial work experience (of at least 5 years) gained from: i) an engineering and/or consultancy organisation; or ii) a company operating in the energy, chemical or manufacturing sectors; or iii) a bank, equity fund, advisory services, corporate finance firm; or iv) a development finance institution/agency; with a focus on decarbonisation, climate governance and ESG and demonstrable track record of successful project development.
    • Experience in WB6 is considered advantageous.
    • Sound understanding of business and finance principles. The ability to combine technical and commercial skills is advantageous.
    • People management skills. Proven performance in managing consultants and related assignments as project lead or via project preparation and implementation tasks.
    • Computer literacy and excellent written/oral communication skills in English are essential; other languages from the Western Balkans region are advantageous.
    • Ability to operate consistently within business guidelines and ethics and work sensitively in multicultural environments, building effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
    • Result-oriented, self-motivated, ability to work to and meet tight deadlines and to plan and organise work unsupervised in a logical and efficient manner.
    • Ability to communicate appropriate, concise and accurate information in verbal and written formats, appropriate to the audience at the time and confidence in handling senior stakeholders.

      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.