AD, Sustainable Project Procurement

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development seeks an Associate Director, Sustainable Project Procurement to lead the Bank’s strategic approach to sustainable procurement across public-sector operations. You will shape procurement policy, ensure governance and risk guidance, and drive high-impact initiatives on climate, circular economy and value for money.

You will oversee sustainability requirements across project lifecycles, advise senior management, and collaborate with clients,

Qualifications

• Advanced experience in applying MDB procurement frameworks with sustainability integration
• Designing sustainable procurement strategies for large-scale infrastructure projects
• Experience managing MDB-financed operations with governance, compliance and MRV
• Knowledge of lifecycle costing, TCO and non-price-based selection methods
• Specialised knowledge of circular and low-carbon procurement systems
• Leadership in multi-stakeholder environments and policy development within international institutions
• Strong communication and English language skills

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on procurement policy, standards, governance and risk.
• Lead sustainable procurement initiatives across public sector projects.
• Engage with management, clients and stakeholders to improve outcomes and ensure VfM.

Skills

MDB procurement

Sustainability

Procurement leadership

Value for money

Circular procurement

Policy leadership

MRV systems

Stakeholder influence

English proficiency

Leadership

Education

Degree in Business/Finance/Law/Engineering

CIPS certification

Job description

Background

The Associate Director, Sustainable Project Procurement (AD-SPP) leads the Bank’s thematic approach to sustainable and strategic project procurement across public sector operations. The role provides authoritative advice on procurement policy, standards, governance and risk; shapes the development and consistent implementation of the Bank’s Procurement Policies and Rules (PPR), associated guidance and operational standards; and leads significant initiatives relating to sustainable procurement, circular economy, low-carbon procurement and value for money.

Working across the project lifecycle, the Associate Director oversees the application of sustainability and strategic procurement requirements in complex Bank-financed operations, provides expert judgement on significant compliance, assurance and implementation matters, and engages with senior Bank management, governance bodies, clients, implementing agencies, MDB peers and other external stakeholders. The role promotes integrity, consistency, efficiency and effectiveness in procurement and supports improved project outcomes and the Bank’s broader transition objectives, while procurement responsibility remains with the borrower or implementing entity.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced MDB Procurement Expertise with Sustainability Focus
  Strong and demonstrable hands‑on experience in the practical application and interpretation of the Bank’s PPR (or comparable MDB frameworks), with practical involvement in integrating sustainability and climate requirements into complex, high-value project procurement processes.
• Advanced Sustainable Project Procurement Leadership
  Substantial experience in designing and implementing sustainable procurement strategies for large-scale infrastructure projects.
• End-to-End Project Implementation in MDB Contexts
  Substantial hands‑on experience managing project procurement in MDB-financed operations within emerging and transitioning economies, with a strong focus on embedding sustainability commitments into implementation, contract management, and performance verification frameworks.
• Expertise in Advanced VfM and Sustainable Evaluation Methodologies
• Demonstrated experience in applying non-price-based procurement methodologies, including:
• Rated criteria and quality-based selection models
• Lifecycle costing and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
• Sustainability-weighted evaluation frameworks incorporating carbon, resource efficiency, and circularity metrics
• Specialised Knowledge of Circular and Low-Carbon Procurement Systems
• Experience in the development of circular economy and low‑carbon principles within procurement, including the development of:
• Circular supply chain strategies
• Carbon measurement and reduction mechanisms within tenders
• Environmental performance specifications and contract KPIs
• Policy Leadership and MDB-Level Thought Contribution
  Experience contributing to (or supporting) policy development, guidance frameworks, or institutional initiatives on sustainable public procurement, including active engagement in MDB working groups, international forums, or cross-institutional collaborations on sustainability and procurement innovation.
• Sustainability Assurance, Monitoring, and Compliance Expertise
  Experience in establishing monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems for sustainability outcomes, ensuring that procurement-driven commitments (e.g., climate, circular economy, VfM) are measurable, auditable, and enforced during project execution.
• Leadership in High-Impact, Multi-Stakeholder Environments
  Proven ability to lead specialist teams and influence senior stakeholders, including clients, government entities, and technical experts to drive adoption of advanced and practical sustainable procurement practices in complex and high-risk project environments.

Skills

• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to delivery clear, concise, and fit for purpose messages, tailored to diverse audiences and presented in a structured and streamlined manner.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess data and make informed decisions.
• High level accountability and decision-making capability.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, fluency in another working language of the Bank would be advantageous.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, fast-changing, and multicultural environments, including the management of competing priorities to support project delivery.

Education and Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Finance, Law, Engineering, or related field.
• Professional certification (e.g. CIPS or equivalent) would be advantageous.

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).

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