Principal, Procurement Adviser

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; City Of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An international financial institution located in London is seeking a Principal, Procurement Adviser. The successful candidate will provide oversight and advisory support in procurement matters related to private sector operations. Key responsibilities include reviewing procurement arrangements and offering advice to stakeholders. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in procurement, risk management, and strong communication skills in English, with additional languages being advantageous.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Diverse and inclusive work environment

Opportunities for career development

Qualifications

• Experience in private sector and public sector procurement.
• Strong understanding of modern procurement best practices.
• Excellent command of English; French/Russian is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Analyze procurement and implementation arrangements.
• Prepare PPAD-Policy comments on project approval submissions.
• Provide professional advice on private sector procurement.
• Conduct training and capacity building services.

Skills

Risk management

Analytical skills

English communication

Presentation skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Degree in business administration, economics, engineering, or law

Job description

Purpose of Job

The Principal, Procurement Adviser shall provide procurement related oversight and, where appropriate, advisory operational support in respect of the Bank's private sector operations, including appraisal of the proposed procurement and any associated implementation arrangements to determine if these are consistent with the requirements the Bank's Procurement Policies and Rules (PPR). In undertaking this role, the Principal, Private Sector Policy Adviser primarily interacts with Banking Teams, and the PPAD country-allocated Project Implementation Advisers (PIA), which are jointly responsible for establishing the procurement and associated implementation arrangements for both private and public sector operations and elaborating these procedures and arrangements in internal project approval documentation. The Principal, Private Sector Policy Adviser, reports directly to the Associate Director, Procurement Policy Adviser, Operations.

Where business needs arise, under the guidance of the Associate Director, Operations, the Principal, Policy Advisor, Private Sector may also be required to undertake an appraisal or provide other advisory support services in respect of the Bank's public sector operations.

Background

Since its inception in 1991, in its countries of operation, the Bank has invested more than EUR 215 billion in over 7,600 projects in the private and public sector. In 2024, the Bank invested a record EUR 16.6 billion in circa. 580 projects. The majority of these projects (circa.400 projects) are classified as private sector operations, reflecting the Bank's focus on the private sector. Of these circa. 400 private sector projects, the Bank reviewed the proposed procurement arrangements in approximately 120 projects.

The Bank's mandate to develop a strong private sector in its countries of operation is anchored in the Agreement Establishing the Bank. To this end, the private sector rules in the Bank's PPR apply to any private sector operation which finances (i) any form of capital expenditure involving the acquisition of goods, works, services, (ii) commodities, (iii) consultancy services.

PPAD is the guardian of the PPR and is responsible for all aspects related to the Bank's strategic approach to the PPR and its interpretation. Within PPAD, as an integral part of project risk management, the Associate Director, Procurement Policy Adviser, Operations and the Principal, Private Sector Policy Adviser provide advice and support to the Banking Teams for efficient utilisation supporting the implementation of the Bank's portfolio of both private and public sector operations to ensure their compliance with efficiency, cost effectiveness and timely completion of operations.

Facts / Scale

• The Principal, Procurement Adviser primarily interfaces with Banking Teams and PPAD country-allocated PIAs.
• In a typical week, the Principal, Procurement Adviser may receive between 25 and 35 private sector internal submissions for review and analysis and recording in the Bank's internal systems.
• The position has no direct reports or management responsibility.
• The position has no budget responsibilities.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Review and analyse the procurement and implementation arrangements for private sector transactions to ensure consistency with Article 4 - Procurement in Private Sector Operations of the Bank's PPR and respective PPAD Guidance Notes "Procurement in Private Sector Operations" and "Procurement of Concessions".
• Prepare PPAD-Policy comments on internal project approval submissions (i.e. NTNs/SBIC and OpsCom and Delegated Authority submissions) verifying the procurement classification and acceptability of the proposed procurement and implementation arrangements, ensuring all comments are appropriately recorded in Bank internal systems (i.e. Monarch/DTM etc) as applicable.
• Representing PPAD-Policy at internal project approval forums such as Risk Pre-Ops, OpsCom Pre-Ops, OpsCom, FOPC and Board, as and when required.
• Provide internal and external stakeholders with services and professional advice on all aspects of private sector procurement (on occasion, the Principal, Policy Advisor, Private Sector may also be required to provide other advisory support services in respect of the Bank's public sector operations).
• Provision of training and capacity building services and initiatives to relevant internal stakeholders (i.e. Banking Teams and PPAD PIAs, as appropriate) and external stakeholders (i.e. Clients, potential contractors/suppliers, and the general business community etc).
• Review of project related legal documentation/agreements, including where applicable donor contribution and capex grant agreements, to ensure compliance with the PPR and the adopted procurement and implementation strategy.
• Establish close contact with the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and other international organisations in private sector procurement and active participation in any relevant policy dialogue initiatives or working groups established for that purpose.
• Maintaining and recording data on private sector procurement operations and statistical analysis of that data to identify relevant developments/trends that may need to be reported internally, including in the Annual Report to the Board, and/or reflected in the PPR and/or PPAD Guidance Notes.
• Carry out other any project implementation advisory activities, when requested by PPAD Director and/or the Associate Director, Procurement Policy Adviser, Operations
• Conduct all activities in line with PPAD's Operational Standards and all relevant PPAD Guidance Notes.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in business administration, economics, engineering or law, or a related field; or equivalent work experience as detailed below.
• Proven experience in private sector, and preferably public sector, procurement and project implementation within emerging market or transitioning economies, with a strong understanding of risk management and modern procurement best practices.
• Experience in the application and/or review of complex procurement procedures in the private sector involving the review of value for money/total cost of ownership (life-cycle costing), end of life disposal or replacement aspects, would be advantageous.
• Experience in the application and/or review of procurement procedures undertaken to procure PPP/Concession projects.
• Experience working on MDB/IFI funded projects, with familiarity in their regulatory and operational frameworks.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess data and make informed decisions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with experience preparing reports, presentations, and briefing materials for senior management and stakeholders.
• Command of (written and spoken) French and/or Russian is desirable.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, with a proactive approach to overcoming challenges.

What is it like to work at the 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.

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;
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do.

Diversity is one of the Bank's core values which are at the heart of everything it does. A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. 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, sexual orientation or disabilities. As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.

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).