Associate Lawyer

Job Posting Organization:
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was established in 1991 with the mission to support the transition to market economies in countries from the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. The EBRD operates in 38 economies and employs a diverse workforce that reflects the rich variety of cultures and nationalities in the regions it serves. The organization is committed to fostering sustainable development and promoting private sector investment, with a focus on creating a positive impact on people's lives and the environment.

Job Overview:
The EBRD’s Office of the General Counsel plays a crucial role in supporting the bank's mandate by handling all legal aspects of the EBRD’s lending and investment transactions. This includes providing legal advice on institutional and administrative matters and implementing legal technical assistance programs aimed at supporting law reform in the region. The Associate Lawyer position is part of the department’s Associate Programme, which allows individuals to contribute their country-specific, language, and academic knowledge to facilitate the institution's operations. The role is based in London and offers a unique opportunity to engage with a wide range of legal issues in the context of international finance and investment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Associate will be assigned to the OGC Finance team, which is responsible for managing the legal aspects of the Bank’s borrowing operations. This includes overseeing the Bank’s Global Medium Term Note (MTN) programme, commercial paper issuing programme, and other funding operations in both international capital markets and the Bank’s operational regions. The Associate will also handle legal matters related to derivatives and capital market operations, including drafting and negotiating legal documentation, conducting legal research, and providing legal advice on Treasury matters. The role requires excellent project management skills to monitor multiple activities concurrently and manage priorities effectively under time constraints.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a law degree from a leading university, with a preference for those who also hold a postgraduate law degree (such as an LLM) from a recognized institution in a second jurisdiction. A minimum of two years of prior work experience as a lawyer in an international law firm or in-house legal team of a top commercial or investment bank or international organization is required. Familiarity with international capital markets, including debt capital markets, derivatives, and structured finance, is essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong legal research skills, the ability to draft and negotiate legal documentation, and possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should have a law degree from a reputable university, and a postgraduate law degree (LLM) from a leading university in a second jurisdiction is highly desirable. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding complex legal issues in international finance and investment.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least two years of relevant work experience as a lawyer, preferably in an international law firm or within the legal team of a top commercial or investment bank or international organization. This experience should include familiarity with the legal aspects of international capital markets and the ability to conduct legal research, draft, and negotiate legal documentation effectively.

Languages:
A strong command of written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Fluency in an additional language, particularly French, is considered an asset and would enhance the candidate's profile for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position offers a fixed-term contract of three years, commencing on September 1, 202

• The EBRD promotes a flexible working environment, expecting employees to work in the office 50% of their time. The organization values diversity and encourages applications from qualified candidates who are nationals of EBRD member countries, regardless of their background. Due to the high volume of applications, the EBRD will not provide detailed feedback to candidates who are not shortlisted.