Associate

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An international financial institution based in London seeks a Legal Associate for its Office of the General Counsel. The position involves handling legal aspects of lending and investment operations, requiring 3-5 years of experience in legal practice. Candidates must hold a law degree and preferably a postgraduate degree, have excellent English proficiency, and ideally knowledge of additional languages relevant to operations in various regions. This role offers a fixed term contract lasting 3 years and promotes an inclusive work culture.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Hybrid work environment

Focus on employee wellbeing

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of prior legal work experience in private practice or in-house.
• Experience in the Bank's countries/regions of operations is preferable.
• Demonstrated readiness to work in the Bank’s operational areas.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to legal aspects of lending and investment operations.
• Support EBRD’s policy development through legal transition program.

Skills

Excellent command of written and spoken English

Project management skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Client focus

Fluency in relevant languages (Arabic, French, Russian, Ukrainian)

Education

Law degree

Postgraduate degree (preferably)

Job description

Requisition ID 36270 Office Country United Kingdom Office City London Division Office of the General Counsel Contract Type Fixed Term Contract Length 3 years Posting End Date 11/01/2026

Role Overview

EBRD’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is at the core of EBRD’s mandate to build sustainable and open market economies in the jurisdictions where it operates, ranging from Central and Eastern Europe and the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean to Central Asia. EBRD is also in the process of expanding its activities to 6 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Deploying more than €15 billion of financing each year, EBRD is a leader in climate finance, including investments in renewables, green bonds and energy efficiency programs. It also supports small and medium‑sized enterprises, infrastructure projects, local manufacturers and many others, with a focus on promoting the sustainable development of the private sector.

OGC handles all legal aspects of EBRD’s lending and investment transactions, provides legal advice for institutional and administrative matters and supports EBRD’s policy development in its region through its legal transition program.

The Office of the General Counsel is seeking a number of outstanding lawyers to join the department's Associate Programme. Associates will have the opportunity to contribute country, language and academic knowledge to support the institution and facilitate its operations. The roles will be based in London.

Successful candidates will be offered a 3‑year fixed term contract, beginning on or around 1 September 2026.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The Associates will be assigned to the OGC’s Banking Operations group, which handles the legal aspects of EBRD’s lending and investment operations.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• A law degree and, preferably, a postgraduate degree from a university.
• Typically between 3-5 years of prior work experience as a lawyer in private practice or in‑house legal team ensuring familiarity with the areas of practice referenced above, including conducting legal research, drafting and negotiating legal documentation.
• Legal work experience gained in the Bank’s countries/regions of operations is preferable. Legal work experience gained in more than one jurisdiction is also an asset.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Preferably fluent in one or more of the key languages relevant to the work in the Bank’s countries/regions of operations (including Arabic, French, Russian and Ukrainian).
• Demonstrated readiness to work in the Bank’s countries/regions of operations and a keen interest in international development.
• Excellent project management skills, ability to monitor and follow up on many activities concurrently under time constraints and ability to understand and manage priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and client focus.

Candidates from the following jurisdictions are eligible to apply: Albania, Armenia, Algeria, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan.

The interview process will take place in January-March 2026.

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).