Principal, EU Partnerships

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 77,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development seeks a Principal II to lead a portfolio of EU funds and partnerships. This senior role will secure funding for strategic projects, shape EU policy influence, and mentor junior staff across multiple teams.

Based in London, you will manage high-level EU relations, guide resource mobilisation, and ensure delivery of donor-funded activities in line with the Bank's mandate and visibility standards.

Qualifications

• Fluency in English, written and verbal
• Experience in donor-funded operations and EU relations is highly desirable
• Strong networking and partnership skills with international audiences
• Ability to lead complex multi-team initiatives and guide junior staff

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic donor relationships with EU contacts at HQ and Delegations.
• Drive fundraising and resource mobilisation for EU blending facilities.
• Coordinate cross-bank EU blending activities and provide strategic guidance.
• Engage external EU stakeholders and represent the Bank in EU-facing events.
• Oversee reporting, visibility, and use of funds to meet policy objectives.
• Mentor junior colleagues and promote knowledge transfer.
• Ensure compliance with EU requirements and internal policies.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Policy analysis

Team leadership

Proposal writing

Latin phrase?

Education

Master's degree in international development or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The EBRD's business model relies significantly on donor funds and expertise. In 2025 alone, the Bank mobilised over €2 billion in new donor funds. Donor contributions remain vital to the Bank's ability to fulfil its transition mandate by enabling technical cooperation, grant-based financing and concessional instruments across its operations. Donor funds, coordinated through Donor Partnerships (DP) and other internal units, act as a catalyst by aligning donor priorities with the Bank's strategic objectives. These partnerships are integral to the EBRD's capacity to deliver transition impact and support policy reform. The Principal II will take a leadership role in managing a portfolio of European Union (EU) funds and partnerships and in providing strategic advice to help position the EBRD as a lead agency for product quality and delivery. The role will secure funding for strategic projects and maximise the impact of the Bank's policy orientations in the strategic areas covered by those funds and facilities. The Principal II leads strategic relationships with key EU contacts, driving resource mobilisation, aligning EU priorities with EBRD operations, and ensuring the effective delivery and impact of donor-funded activities across the Bank. The role also contributes to policies, procedures and visibility standards for donor-funded operations, while mentoring and guiding junior colleagues. The post involves close cooperation with multiple teams across the Bank, including Banking, support units and other fund managers within Donor Partnerships, to identify and secure support for the portfolio of funds.

• Strategic donor relationship management - Lead and manage high-level strategic partnerships with key EU contacts in headquarters and EU Delegations, ensuring alignment with the Bank's strategic priorities and donor interests. Serve as the primary liaison with EU representatives, foster trust-based and results-oriented relationships, proactively identify opportunities for collaboration, and address issues transparently and responsively.
• Fundraising and resource mobilisation - Lead fundraising efforts with EU blending facilities, including developing and reviewing project proposals, overseeing approval processes, and securing new grant funding, top-ups and contract addenda. Lead negotiations of funding agreements and memoranda of understanding with the EU, ensuring compliance with internal policies and EU requirements. Support thematic and regional initiatives across the Bank by mobilising resources and contributing to effective pipeline planning with key user teams.
• Cross-Bank coordination and representation - Act as the key internal focal point for EU blending, providing strategic guidance to sector, country and policy teams engaging with donor-funded activities. Represent the Bank in external EU meetings, including technical assessment and board meetings, pipeline and portfolio updates, Team Europe and global gateway events, as required. Contribute to internal policy and strategy development from an EU perspective, particularly in shaping thematic and regional priorities.
• Stakeholder engagement - Manage effective relationships with external EU Directorate-Generals and other relevant stakeholders, as well as with internal supporting departments including OGC, the EBRD Brussels office, Funds Accounting and Banking.
• Strategic intelligence and positioning - Stay informed of EU policy trends, development agendas, geopolitical priorities and constraints, advising senior management and informing EBRD positioning. Provide timely intelligence and analysis to shape EBRD outreach and its value proposition to the EU. Manage ad hoc qualitative and quantitative inputs into internal reports, policy papers, presentations and external publications, including the Annual Donor Report and other donor visibility material.
• Strategic portfolio oversight - Coordinate with sector and country teams to ensure funds are aligned with operational priorities and adequately monitored and reported. Monitor fund performance, provide strategic guidance, contribute to reporting, impact narratives and portfolio reviews, and lead portfolio reviews with EU counterparts.
• Team leadership and capacity building - Provide leadership and mentoring to junior colleagues working on EU accounts, ensuring quality control and knowledge transfer. Promote a collaborative and results-driven team culture aligned with departmental goals. Support staff development by sharing best practice in donor engagement and partnership management.
• Risk management and compliance - Ensure adherence to internal procedures and EU requirements related to funding agreements, use of funds, visibility, financial integrity and emerging issues arising from changing EU policies. Identify and manage risks related to EU relationships or funding delivery, escalating issues appropriately and proposing mitigation measures.
• Reporting and visibility - Oversee the production of high-quality reports on EU funds and engage with Communications to strengthen visibility of donor contributions and fund impact.
  Excellent understanding of EU institutions and facilities, the EU development agenda and emerging policies, trends and practices.
• Excellent understanding of blended finance structures and the use of grants, guarantees and concessional funding instruments to support project finance objectives.
• Good understanding of the global development architecture, donor policy priorities and best practice in the use of donor funds.
• Good understanding of results-based approaches to managing donor-funded programmes and best development practice in aid effectiveness.
• Good understanding of EBRD's business model, investment instruments, and tools for policy reform and advisory support. Knowledge of, or experience in, EBRD Countries of Operation would be an advantage., Excellent networking and partnership skills, with proven experience of building networks and relationships and engaging effectively in international fora.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence others using evidence, data and analysis, and to collaborate effectively with multiple teams in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent communication, pitching and negotiation skills.
• Strong operational understanding and ability to turn ideas into bankable projects.
• Good managerial and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate staff and lead colleagues.
• Good organisational and problem-solving skills and ability to work on own initiative, as well as in teams.
• Good numerical and analytical skills.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal.
• Computer literate: Microsoft Office suite., Extensive experience of managing donor funds and relationships, or similar work in a multilateral or international development context, preferably involving the EU.
• Substantive experience of building donor relations and networks and communicating effectively with donors.
• Substantive experience in fund mobilisation, including creating fundraising strategies and identifying and designing compelling funding proposals.
• Substantive experience of managing large donor portfolios., Master's degree in international development, international relations, economics, finance, social science or a related discipline.
  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.

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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