Principal, Principal Counsel

EBRD; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An international development bank in the UK is seeking a Principal Counsel to provide legal and policy advice. This role involves drafting legal documents, managing legal risks, and supporting various departments. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in international law, excellent negotiation skills, and a strong command of English. A hybrid work model and competitive benefits are offered.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits

Hybrid workplace flexibility

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• At least seven years of relevant experience in international environments.
• Excellent command of English for legal documentation.
• Qualified to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance to client departments.
• Interpret and apply the Bank’s policies.
• Represent the Bank before legal bodies.
• Draft and negotiate legal documentation.

Skills

International administrative law

Negotiation skills

Project management

Interpersonal communication

Drafting legal documents in English

Education

University law degree

Post-graduate law degree

Job description

Purpose of Job

The Principal Principal Counsel is primarily responsible for providing legal and policy advice and support on matters in their area of responsibility. Working closely with other staff across the Bank, the Principal Principal Counsel assists in the development of policy and ensures that legal risks and issues relating to matters assigned to their team are identified, addressed and managed.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Provides all necessary legal assistance to the team’s client departments in connection with new and existing matters relevant to the work of the team, including the preparation, drafting and/or review of submissions, pleadings and other documents for proceedings before national courts, arbitration, the EBRD Administrative Review Committee (ARC) and the EBRD Administrative Tribunal (AT).
• Interprets, applies, drafts and develops the Bank’s policies and legal framework, rules, policies, procedures and internal communications, advising on decisions that require legally sound solutions.
• Develops and maintains template legal documentation and clauses to ensure adherence to best practice and applicable law.
• Represents the Bank as advocate before the ARC and the AT as applicable.
• Supports the HR & Organisational Development department on policy matters, including revisions of the applicable internal legal framework.
• Supports the team’s input into the work of various management committees through briefings and preparation of papers.
• Undertakes research, examines legal precedents and case law, and prepares legal memoranda on issues relevant to the team’s work.
• Drafts and negotiates legal documentation, ensuring the highest standards of protection for the EBRD’s interests and compliance with EBRD mandate policies and procedures.
• Engages, manages and supervises the work of external law firms, ensuring cost‑effective utilisation of legal services and maintaining an appropriate balance of internal and external legal advice.
• Contributes to the knowledge management activities of OGC, including preparation and dissemination of memoranda and policy briefs, updating country law information, and participating in the EBRD’s ongoing policy dialogue.
• Assists OGC Management on specific assignments.
• Participates in inter‑departmental working groups and task forces to develop Bank policies or deliver on the Bank’s strategic initiatives.
• Participates in the supervision and mentoring of interns, associates, senior associates and, if applicable, counsel.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• At least seven years of relevant experience gained in an international environment, dealing with international administrative law, international law or trans‑national legal issues.
• Hold a university law degree in a relevant field and a post‑graduate law degree or relevant professional legal experience.
• Preferably admitted or qualified to practice law in at least one jurisdiction; academic qualifications or professional experience in both civil and common law may be required.
• Very good understanding of the specificities of an international organisation; experience within an international organisation and familiarity with its internal justice system is an advantage.
• Thorough understanding of the Bank’s policies and operating procedures in the team’s area.
• Excellent command of the English language, including drafting and negotiating legal documents in English; knowledge of another official language of the EBRD or of a language of one of the EBRD’s countries of operation is an advantage.
• Excellent negotiation, project management and interpersonal communication (written, verbal and presentation) skills.

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, bringing fresh ideas, energy and innovation to serve our clients, shareholders and counterparties effectively.
• A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals, 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. The EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. All qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries are encouraged to apply, regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious or 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.