Principal, Counsel

This position is based in Ukraine with possible temporary relocation to Warsaw, Poland depending on business needs.

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-sized enterprises, infrastructure projects, local manufacturers and many others, with a focus on promoting the sustainable development of the private sector.

The Office of the General Counsel 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.

OGC is currently recruiting for a Counsel position within the Banking Operations group. The position will be based in Kyiv. It is expected that Kyiv will be one of the 7 Regional Client Delivery Hubs of EBRD and will cover operations in the following countries: Ukraine and Moldova (Region).

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Counsels in the Banking Operations group:

• have principal responsibility for a number of EBRD's lending and equity transactions (including secured and unsecured lending operations and private and public equity investments) throughout EBRD’s operating region, requiring structuring transactions, selecting and managing external law firms, drafting and negotiating transaction documents and assisting with the full project lifecycle;
• contribute to the knowledge management activities of OGC; and
• help carry out EBRD's policy mandate in its lending and equity operations, with a view to ensuring compliance with EBRD’s environmental and other policy requirements.

This job description is not limited to the responsibilities listed and the incumbent may be requested to perform other relevant duties as required by business needs.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Candidates are expected to:

• have a law degree from a university in their home country;
• have at least five years of experience in their area of responsibility gained in an international law firm, the in-house legal department of a top commercial/investment bank, or international organisation (including EBRD);
• have relevant professional experience as a lawyer working on English law governed financing agreements in one or more of the following fields:
  • cross-border banking transactions involving the taking of security;
  • cross-border structured finance transactions;
  • cross-border private equity investments;
  • equity funds transactions; and/or
  • capital markets transactions.
• professional experience gained in the Region, and/or in other EBRD’s countries of operations would be an asset;
• have an excellent command of the English language, including excellent skills to draft and negotiate legal documents in English; and
• have excellent negotiation and project management skills as well as excellent interpersonal and communication 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.   

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).