Principal, Risk Officer

Purpose of Job

Independently analyse and appraise the risks of EBRDs new and existing portfolio of corporate and project finance debt transactions in the Corporate sector; identify required due diligence recommend appropriate risk mitigation measures and transaction structures including security covenants and pricing. Advise bankers and the Banks Committees to ensure that banking projects comply with the Banks sound banking mandate. The Principal Risk Officer reviews portfolio projects assigns credit ratings and communicates trends in the portfolio and lessons learned to management and peers for their broader strategic decision-making and bottom-up stress-testing. The Principal Risk Officer is responsible to lead and coach Associate Risk Officers analysts and junior bankers rotating through Corporate & Project Finance Credit Risk Management Team.

Background

Risk Management is the Banks second line of defence which is responsible for the independent identification reporting and mitigation of risks. The Principal Risk Officer provides advice and presents recommendations to the Operations Committee Small Business Investment Committee (SBIC)/ approves projects together with the Banking department under Delegated Authority addressing credit concerns remuneration and seeks to minimise losses.

Facts / Scale

• Corporate & Project Finance (CPF) Credit Team comprises one Director 3 Senior People Manager Associate Directors 12 Associate Directors 9 Principal/Associate Risk Officers and Bankers on 2025 CPF staff provided independent review approval recommendation and structuring advice for more than 750 corporate and project finance new debt proposals monitored and provided portfolio management recommendations for 660 counterparties.
• Each Principal Risk Officer is responsible with the support of associates/analysts up to 80 projects from inception to final repayment.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The Principal Risk Officer will work with varying levels of supervision depending on their experience and the relevant task on the following:

• Establish an independent and unbiased view on projects proposed to the Operations Committee / SBIC / under Delegated Authority and make clear recommendations or approvals on each proposal.
• Analyse the key risks of each proposal and advise on risk mitigation measures structures tenor security covenants and condition precedents to the project teams and via credit notes. Be versed in climate risk issues that have an effect on new and existing operations including risk mitigation and reputational issues. Appraise the validity and reliability of key assumptions of each proposal including via involvement in the commissioning and review of independent due diligence and travel.
• Ensure projects comply with any relevant risk guidelines and prudential limits set by the Bank and that appropriate ratings are assigned for probability of default and loss given default. Have the ownership of Risk data in the area of responsibility.
• Exercise independent delegated authority regarding portfolio actions (including certain waivers and amendments) and recommendations to senior management on matters requiring higher level approval (including transfers to corporate recovery provisions and more significant restructuring etc.).
• Lead proactive and regular monitoring of the assigned portfolio counterparties arranged in sector clusters and countries ( and market developments. Actively and constructively engages with Banking and other relevant staff to ensure adequacy of front-line monitoring coach Banking representatives when appropriate (including rotation in Corporate & Project Finance Credit Risk Management).
• In liaison with Risk Policy and Reporting Climate Risk and other Risk Management teams lead sector portfolio reviews and provide input to portfolio stress-tests. Collaborate with other members of staff; especially in the Banking Department Finance the Office of the General Counsel and the Office of the Chief Economist to ensure effective cross-departmental and business functioning.
• Participate in various executive Bank committees - including the Operations Committee SBIC RiskCom etc.
• Participate and contribute positively to various initiatives within Risk Management or bank-wide.
• Be an agent of credit culture dissemination including mentoring of bankers on rotation.

Knowledge Skills Experience & Qualifications

• Relevant Banking or credit risk management experience is essential.
• Influencing skills in overseeing the Banking teams structuring of the transaction and articulation of any different views.
• Experience of structuring high yield loans and other financial instruments in both corporate and project finance.
• Relevant experience in the corporate sectors with adequate deal experience in key sectors such as Food & Agribusiness Manufacturing & Services Real Estate Telecoms Media and Technology and Natural Resources.
• May act as the risk expert for specific corporate sector projects and provide operational guidelines to the Banking teams and provide input into project selection and prioritisation.
• Knowledge of corporate sector risks and dynamics in SEMED Turkey and other countries of operations is a plus.
• Deliver clear authoritative conclusions in the context of large volumes and tight timescales. Proven skills and track record in decision-making capacity in credit risk in high-risk environments.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills in English language and good Excel knowledge.
• Advanced degree in finance business economics or equivalent on the job training.
• Demonstrate developing people management skills for junior staff under their coaching/ mentoring responsibility.

Behaviours

The Principal Risk Officer is expected to be authoritative and influential provide well-judged advice and guidance across the entire business.

• Ability to analyse and size up projects rapidly and to make authoritative recommendations and credit decisions.
• Ability to build rapport and understanding with bankers and gain their respect by presenting sound arguments based on evidence.
• Ability to deliver information in the right format to differing groups by having effective writing and verbal skills.
• Willingness to find and share technical knowledge about international best practice specific industry country or projects.
• Solution-orientated approach and a collaborative working style ability to understand and awareness of the perspectives of others.

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 peoples 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 Banks 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).