Principal, Principal Counsel

EBRD; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international bank is seeking a Principal Counsel to provide legal and policy advice, prepare legal documents, and assist in developing bank policies. Ideal candidates will have over seven years of experience in international law and excellent negotiation skills. The role involves collaboration across departments, legal risk management, and working with external law firms. This position offers a hybrid work environment and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Competitive benefits

Inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• At least seven years of relevant experience in international law.
• Admitted/qualified to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.
• Excellent command of the English language.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and policy advice and support.
• Prepare, draft, and review legal submissions.
• Engage with external law firms and manage their work.

Skills

Legal advice

Negotiation

Project management

Interpersonal communication

Data analysis

Education

University law degree

Post-graduate law degree

Tools

Legal documentation

Cloud Computing

Job description

The Principal Principal Counsel

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 client departments in connection with new and existing matters relevant to the work of the team, including preparation, drafting and/or review of submissions/pleadings in proceedings before national courts, arbitration, the EBRD Administrative Review Committee (ARC) and the EBRD Administrative Tribunal (AT) and advises with respect to outcomes and settlements.
• Interpretation, application, drafting and development of the Bank's policies and legal framework – rules, policies and procedures, administrative manuals, internal communications and guidelines – and advice in respect of decisions / legally sound solutions under the same.
• Development and maintenance of template legal documentation / 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 applicable internal legal framework as the case may be).
• Supports the team's input into the work of various management committees, including briefings and the preparation of papers.
• Undertakes research, examines legal precedents as well as case‑law and prepares legal memos on issues relevant to the work of the team.
• Drafts and negotiates legal documentation whilst ensuring the highest standards of documentation protection of EBRD's interests and compliance with EBRD's mandate policies and procedures.
• Engages, manages and supervises the work of external law firms ensuring cost‑effective utilisation of legal services and 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, the updating and development of relevant country law information or of resources in a specialised subject area and participating in EBRD's ongoing policy dialogue by providing legal advice / updates in relation to such countries or subject areas.
• 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 the work of Interns, Associates, Senior Associates and if applicable Counsel.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• At least seven years relevant experience gained in an international environment, whether dealing with international administrative law, international law or trans‑national legal issues.
• Have (i) a university law degree in a relevant field of law and (ii) a post‑graduate law degree or relevant professional legal experience.
• Preferably be admitted / 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. Relevant professional experience in an international organisation would be an advantage. Experience before the internal justice system of an international organisation would also be an advantage. A thorough understanding of the Bank's policies and operating procedures in the team's area.
• Excellent command of the English language including excellent skills to draft and negotiate legal documents in English. Knowledge of another official language of the EBRD or of a language of any of the EBRD's countries of operations would be an advantage.
• Excellent negotiation and project management skills as well as excellent interpersonal communications (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. 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.

Key Skills: Business Development, Classroom Experience, Dayforce, Go, Cloud Computing, AWS, Teaching, Administrative Experience, Leadership Experience, negotiation, SAS, Data Analysis Skills