Principal Banker

This position is based in Ukraine with possible temporary relocation to Warsaw, Poland, depending on business needs.  

Purpose of Job

The Principal Banker is competent in undertaking all tasks related to, and understands all aspects of, project development and implementation, including project origination, structuring, execution, implementation and monitoring, for all types of investment instruments offered by the Bank.

The Principal Banker will act both as a senior member of a project team or as an operation leader. 

The Principal Banker, in their role as an operation leader, is expected to take responsibility for effective leadership of their project team/s, supervision of junior banking staff, while contributing to their coaching and providing mentoring assistance, as required.

The Principal Banker’s role also drives business/pipeline development, client management and, on a selected basis, policy dialogue.

Food and Agribusiness aims to maximise the transition impact potential of companies in the food and agribusiness sector (covering the entire value chain including primary agriculture, processing, food and beverage production, packaging, logistics and food retail) in all countries of operations by addressing their specific needs through tailored financing solutions. Cumulative investments in agribusiness accounted for EUR 16.8 billion in over ,1000 projects since 1991, making the EBRD the single biggest investor in the food and agribusiness sector in the Bank’s region. The Food and Agribusiness Team has an annual investment flow of approximately EUR 1 billion in about 60 projects (100% are usually private).

The Project life cycle involves several stages from origination to signing, followed by implementation and monitoring until full completion and repayment or exit. All the stages involve different tasks such as business marketing, project due diligence analysis, structuring and approval, negotiation and signing of project agreements, disbursement and monitoring.

The role of the Principal Banker is to substantially contribute, as a senior project team member, to the structuring, implementation and monitoring of complex transactions, and to lead, as an operation leader, the development of less complex debt and equity transactions, and the effective implementation and (if applicable) monitoring of an assigned number of portfolio projects, in line with the Bank’s operational objectives.  The Principal Banker directs and supervises, both as a principal team member and as operation leader, more junior colleagues to ensure efficient processing of deal flow and portfolio monitoring.

The Principal Banker is able to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders in relation to business development, project execution, implementation and monitoring, co-financing arrangements and donor funding, as applicable.

A substantial degree of independence is given to the Principal Banker, and they are expected to ensure effective project team work and progressively take on overall responsibility for increasingly complex transactions. 

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Structuring and Execution

Work as a senior project team member with more experienced operation leaders on complex transactions, contributing to all aspects of project structuring and execution, including supporting the operation leader with the management of the project team, including preparation of quality internal documentation.

As an operation leader:

• Lead structuring, negotiation (including review of legal documentation) and the execution of transactions, working with clients, authorities, consultants and internal units;
• Manage the resources and the workload of the project teams under his/her supervision;
• Oversee the project due diligence process ensuring it meets the Bank’s standards;
• Ensure quality and appropriateness of TC assistance components which support the investments or contribute to policy dialogue initiatives;
• Ensure that all tasks and transactions within their responsibility are completed within the specified time frames to a high standard (including all internal memoranda and Board reports) and in line with the policies, procedures and objectives of the Bank.

Portfolio Monitoring, Value Creation and Reporting

• If applicable, take overall responsibility for the effective monitoring of all projects within their responsibility, including verifying the quality of regular monitoring reports; taking the lead in maintaining or supervising the management of client relationships; actively managing the resolution of any implementation/monitoring issues in cooperation with relevant colleagues from the Corporate Debt; supervising more junior bankers who assist in portfolio monitoring.
• If applicable, contribute to supervision of implementation and monitoring of, and reporting on, relevant TC assignments to ensure their compliance with donor reporting requirements, operational objectives and that all reports are of a high quality.
• Take responsibility for ensuring timely notification of any critical portfolio issues to the relevant relevant colleagues from the Corporate Debt and/or Management, ensuring availability of adequate data and information for them to be able to take timely decisions.
• Proactively contribute to marketing and business development efforts in the relevant sector and countries to build reputable market contacts in order to develop a broad deal flow.
• Prepare presentations and proposals for clients.
• Assist with the critical screening of project proposal flow that is generated through business development efforts, liaising with other colleagues and teams within the Bank to identify sound and executable investments that meet the mandate of the Bank.

Staff Management

• Assist in recruiting, training, coaching and mentoring junior bankers, in coordination with the senior team members, involving them in all aspects of the project cycle (origination, appraisal, execution, implementation, and monitoring), ensuring adequate quality of project work and appropriate workload distribution amongst the project team members; contribute to  their professional and competency development;
• Develop productive relationships within the organisation to be able to work effectively in a country/sector matrix structure and in a multi-cultural working environment.
• Champion and role model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Workplace Behaviours, ensuring adherence within the team(s) so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times.

Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree.  Master’s degree preferred or equivalent experience in the areas of expertise.
• Professional qualification such as ACA, CFA, ACCA, or CIMA is a plus.
• Strong quantitative/numerical skills are critical with the ability to interpret financial information and to design and use financial models.
• Credit analysis skills, with the ability to interpret accounts, understand local and international accounting principles and practice of debt/equity risk analysis.
• Computer literacy, conversant with Microsoft Office and spread sheet packages including financial analysis and modelling modules.
• Excellent understanding of relevant systems and processes.
• Stakeholder management skills.
• Relationship management and negotiation skills at peer level.
• Ability to work to deadlines and under time pressure.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Good command over the local/country language is an advantage.
• Ability to work in multi-cultural environment.
• Multi-tasking, self-initiative.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively.
• Ability to establish and maintain healthy working relationship and to coordinate closely with relevant teams across the Bank to ensure full alignment and coordination of joint initiatives or products.
• Significant relevant financial industry experience from an investment or commercial bank, private equity firm, asset management firm, or auditing/financial consulting firm operating to international standards.
• Proven practical experience of participating in and leading transactions through the full project life cycle, including (but not limited to) building financial models, performing due diligence and participating in legal negotiations.
• Fluency in Ukrainian.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About 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.  

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment. 

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. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively.
• A hybrid workplace that offers flexibility to teams and individuals; that is based on trust, flexibility and connectedness. 
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do. 
• A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits. 

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  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, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.   

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).