Counsel

Job Posting Organization:
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was established in 1991 with the mission to foster the transition towards open market-oriented economies and to promote private and entrepreneurial initiative in Central and Eastern Europe, the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, and Central Asia. EBRD operates in over 30 countries and has a workforce that reflects a rich diversity of nationalities and cultures. The organization is a leader in climate finance, deploying more than €15 billion annually to support sustainable development, infrastructure projects, and small and medium-sized enterprises across its regions of operation.

Job Overview:
The Counsel position within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at EBRD is pivotal in supporting the bank's mandate to build sustainable market economies. The role involves working closely with international teams and requires a strong legal background, particularly in financing transactions. Counsel will be responsible for managing EBRD's lending and equity transactions, which includes drafting and negotiating legal documents, structuring transactions, and ensuring compliance with EBRD’s policies. The position is based in Nairobi, which is expected to become one of EBRD's Regional Client Delivery Hubs, covering operations in several countries in the region. This role not only demands legal expertise but also a commitment to the bank's values of inclusiveness, innovation, trust, and responsibility.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Counsel will have principal responsibility for various lending and equity transactions, which includes secured and unsecured lending operations, as well as private and public equity investments. Key responsibilities include structuring transactions, selecting and managing external law firms, drafting and negotiating transaction documents, and assisting throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, the Counsel will contribute to the knowledge management activities of OGC and support EBRD's policy mandate in its lending and equity operations, ensuring compliance with environmental and other policy requirements. The role may also involve performing other relevant duties as required by business needs, reflecting the dynamic nature of the work.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a law degree from a recognized university in their home country. Relevant experience is essential, ideally gained in an international law firm, the in-house legal department of a top commercial or investment bank, or an international organization such as EBRD. Candidates should have professional experience as a lawyer working on English law governed financing agreements, particularly in areas such as cross-border banking transactions, structured finance, private equity investments, and capital markets transactions. Experience in the region is considered an asset. Excellent command of the English language is mandatory, with strong drafting and negotiation skills. Proficiency in French is advantageous, and candidates should demonstrate excellent negotiation, project management, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Educational Background:
A law degree from a university in the candidate's home country is required. This educational background should provide a solid foundation in legal principles and practices relevant to the role, particularly in international finance and investment law.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have significant professional experience in legal practice, particularly in areas related to financing agreements and transactions. Experience in an international context, especially within the banking or investment sectors, is highly valued. The role requires a demonstrated ability to manage complex legal issues and transactions effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, particularly in drafting and negotiating legal documents. A command of French is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to operate in a bilingual environment and engage with a broader range of stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a regular contract role with a posting end date of April 15, 202

• The role is full-time and based in Nairobi, with the expectation of collaboration with international teams. EBRD promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of their background. The organization offers a hybrid workplace model, emphasizing flexibility and employee wellbeing, along with a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits.