Purpose of Job

The Principal G&EI is a member of the Gender and Economic Inclusion Team (G&EI) which consists of three pillars (Access to Skills and Employment, Access to Finance and Entrepreneurship, and Access to Services) and plays an important role in implementing the Bank’s mandate to promote transition in the EBRD’s countries of operations (COOs). Under the overall guidance of the Director, Gender and Economic Inclusion, the post holder will lead and coordinate the gender and inclusion actions related to the implementation of the We Finance code in Central Asia. They will work in close cooperation with G&EI colleagues as well as other departments under the VP3 (i.e. Climate Strategy and Delivery (CSD), Policy Strategy and Delivery (PSD), Impact & Partnerships (IP). Collaboration will also extend to the Banking department and other Bank groups (Risk, Environmental and Social Teams, Legal, and Communications.

The WE Finance Code is a global policy initiative, funded by We-Fi, that aims to close financing barriers faced by women entrepreneurs through a coordinated public-private stakeholder effort to improve collection and use of sex-disaggregated data. The post holder will lead policy engagements, coordinating with key stakeholders throughout the region, with the goal to formalize the establishment of national coalitions for implementing the Code activities.

Specifically, the Principal will support mapping the financial ecosystem in each country and advise on the design and implementation of gender and inclusion-related policy dialogue with key stakeholders in the Central Asia region. These stakeholders include governments, regulators, data aggregators, the private sector, and relevant international institutions. The Principal will help create effective and sustainable local structures for the Code’s design, implementation, and reporting, tailored to each country’s unique situation. Their work will focus on coordinating the rollout of all steps envisioned for the implementation of the WE Finance Code, including: (1) Identifying public and private sector anchors and building the business case for launching the Code. (2) Building a national coalition and defining the roles and responsibilities of each Code anchor. (3) Preparing the national implementation plan, from recruiting initial signatories to agreeing on a definition of women-owned/led businesses and creating the implementation plan, (4) Supporting the Code launch, creating awareness, and engaging the ecosystem, and (5) Tracking and accelerating progress.

The Principal will be expected to closely coordinate with consultants, key experts, relevant international stakeholders, and development agencies operating in the target countries to ensure effective coordination of activities on the ground.

Additionally, the Principal will identify key success factors and lessons learned and facilitate the exchange of best practices throughout the region to ensure efficient implementation of the Code activities.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• In line with the Bank’s Transition mandate, supports the design, appraisal and monitoring of investment projects and TCs for their impact on inclusion as part of transition and monitors the portfolio of projects with inclusion impact for transition performance, through engagement with Banking project teams and due diligence visits to the region;
• Supports the implementation of the policy dialogue activities under WE Finance Code in the 5 countries of the EBRD Central Asia region (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia), leading on the data working group of the donor (WE-FI Secretariat) and drives the engagements with the relevant ecosystem players and champions at the national, regional and international levels. This will include building national and regional coalition and customise Code to the national and regional context before launching it and tracking progress.
• Monitors and assesses reform challenges and progress in relation to inclusion and gender issues within the Bank’s countries of operation and leads on the design and delivery of gender-responsive policy dialogue, through analytical work, contributions towards strategy papers and direct liaison with key senior level stakeholders such as banking regulator, banking associations, credit guarantees and information bureaus, private sector clients and strategic partners of the Bank.
• Manages the development of inclusion and gender Technical Cooperation (TC) projects (and larger Inclusion TC Frameworks) to support the implementation of the WE Finance Code, supports the selection and management of consultants and monitoring of impact and lessons learned.
• Supports inclusion and gender capacity building within the Bank, specifically in Banking teams and Regional / Resident Offices, through presentations, inclusion and gender workshops and seminars. Maintains a strong awareness of the international debate on gender, inclusion, skills and inequality issue.
• Represents the Bank at inclusion and gender related fora and other events (e.g. conferences, dialogues with IFI counterparts, government officials, think tanks, etc.) to develop and spread best practices and help organise the events to promote the launch, awareness and visibility of the WE Finance Code.
• Promotes and disseminates G&EI activities through organisation of the awareness events and co-creation of the Twitter material for the @EBRDGender account, including with a focus on donor visibility, and in close collaboration with the Communications Department.
• Creates and co-creates the knowledge tools and guidance notes for internal and external consumption including through tailor-made surveys and established EBRD’s publications (especially donor funded ones) and channels to promote the promotion of equality of opportunity strategic priority of the Bank across its policy engagements, investments and advisory services.
• Contributes to joint work across departments and across pillars as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree in economics, international development or related field from a leading university;
• Demonstrated policy or development / inclusion / gender expertise and prior work experience in policy oriented or development area, gained for example through full-time employment in a financial or governmental institution, consultancy/company, think tank or academia;
• Substantial progressive responsibility mainstreaming gender and inclusion in projects in international organizations in a variety of sector with experience in supporting private and public sector;
• Strong social analysis and research skills including command of quantitative and qualitative methods of research, and knowledge of gender and inclusion issues in a variety or regions;
• Knowledge and experience applying results-based approaches to project and program management;
• Experience of working with donors and familiarity with broader donor debates and best practices;
• Fieldwork experience in EBRD countries of operations will be considered an advantage;
• Ability to think strategically, and to innovate, results oriented, ability to work under several deadlines simultaneously;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work in a multicultural team;
• Excellent oral and writing skills in English; Knowledge of one or more languages of the region is essential.

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).

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements