Principal Water Sector Policy Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an international financial institution established in 199

• Its mission is to promote the transition to open market-oriented economies and to foster private and entrepreneurial initiative in countries from Central Europe to Central Asia. The EBRD operates in over 30 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. The organization focuses on various sectors, including infrastructure, energy, and financial institutions, and aims to support sustainable development and economic growth in the regions it serves.

Job Overview:
The Principal Water Sector Policy Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the EBRD's policy engagement, sector reform, and technical cooperation activities specifically within the water sector across Central Asia. This position emphasizes the alignment of these activities with EBRD investment operations. The specialist will work collaboratively within cross-functional teams that include Banking, Legal Transition, economists, and other policy units. The primary functions of this role involve contributing to the design and implementation of water sector policy dialogues, developing sector reform roadmaps, and executing technical assistance programs that address critical issues such as water supply and sanitation, irrigation, water resource management, climate resilience, and governance within the sector. The position is pivotal in enhancing the policy, regulatory, institutional, and financial frameworks that underpin water sector investments, particularly in contexts facing early and intermediate transitions characterized by climate stress, transboundary water challenges, and aging infrastructure.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Principal Water Sector Policy Specialist will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: contributing to policy dialogue with government counterparts, regulators, utilities, and other stakeholders to support water sector investments and reform programs in Central Asia; designing and implementing water sector policy reforms that encompass governance, regulation, tariff methodologies, corporatization, performance management, and institutional capacity building; providing policy and sector inputs to Sector Reform Roadmaps, Country Strategies, and investment preparations, ensuring that there is consistency between technical design, reform ambitions, and the country context; designing, procuring, and overseeing technical assistance projects, which includes preparing Terms of Reference, selecting consultants, supervising deliverables, and ensuring quality assurance; coordinating with other International Financial Institutions (IFIs), donors, and development partners active in the water sector to promote complementarity, share knowledge, and avoid duplication; engaging in knowledge sharing, conferences, and workshops on water sector reform, technology, and good governance as required; contributing analytical inputs to policy notes, sector studies, and briefing materials for management, utilizing water economics and international benchmarks; and ensuring that all policy activities align with the Bank’s commitments to climate adaptation, environmental sustainability, inclusion, and affordability.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to and understanding of the Bank’s transition agenda. A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in economics, water resources management, environmental policy, public policy, engineering with a policy focus, or a related field is required. Relevant professional experience in water sector policy, regulation, sector reform, or water economics is essential, preferably within multilateral organizations, government, consultancy, or utility-related contexts. Candidates should have demonstrated exposure to issues related to water supply and sanitation, irrigation, water resource management, and climate resilience in emerging or transition economies. Experience in supporting or managing policy dialogue, technical cooperation, or advisory projects, including interactions with public sector counterparts, is also necessary. Familiarity with utility governance, tariff reform, non-revenue water, investment planning, public-private partnership frameworks, or donor coordination is considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as economics, water resources management, environmental policy, public policy, or engineering with a policy focus. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of water sector policies and their implications for economic development and sustainability.

Experience:
The position requires relevant professional experience in the water sector, particularly in areas such as policy, regulation, sector reform, or water economics. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in multilateral, government, consultancy, or utility-related contexts. Experience in managing or supporting policy dialogue and technical cooperation projects is essential, along with familiarity with the challenges faced by the water sector in emerging or transition economies.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Russian or a Central Asian language is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with local stakeholders and partners in the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is a regular contract role with a contract length that is not specified. The EBRD promotes a flexible working environment, expecting employees to attend the office 50% of their working time. The organization values diversity and encourages applications from qualified candidates who are nationals of EBRD member countries, regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, or disabilities. The EBRD is committed to providing equal opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace.