Associate

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

Job summary

An international financial institution based in London is seeking outstanding lawyers for its Associate Programme. Successful candidates will work on legal aspects of lending and investment operations and will have an opportunity to contribute to the bank's mission of sustainable development. The positions offer a 3-year fixed term contract beginning in September 2026, fostering a unique workplace culture that emphasizes inclusion, innovation, and employee wellbeing.

Benefits

Competitive benefits

Flexible hybrid work model

Diverse and inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of prior work experience as a lawyer in private practice or in-house legal team.
• Legal work experience in multiple jurisdictions is preferable.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Handle legal aspects of EBRD’s lending and investment operations.
• Contribute legal knowledge to support the institution.
• Work in the Bank’s countries/regions of operations.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting legal documentation

Negotiating legal agreements

Project management

Communication skills

Client focus

Education

Law degree

Postgraduate degree

Job description

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‑size 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.

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, 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.