The Senior Political Counsellor at EBRD is instrumental in assessing the progress of democratic transition and ensuring compliance with Article 1 of the AEB, along with other political aspects of the Bank’s mandate, within EBRD’s countries of operations in Sub-Saharan Africa. This mission is critical to supporting sustainable, entrepreneurial economies with opportunities for all.
This role involves monitoring, analysing, and reporting on political developments across a portfolio of recipient countries and sub-regions. The Senior Political Counsellor plays a crucial role in preparing Country Strategies and related policy documents, offering advice to senior management and the Board on the political and diplomatic perspectives of the Bank’s activities, assessing country-level political risk, supporting high-level political dialogue, and liaising extensively with governments, political leaders, and inter-governmental organizations active in the transition region.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities
- Monitor and analyse political developments in assigned countries (Sub-Saharan Africa region), utilizing a wide range of remote and in-country sources to assess compliance with the Bank’s Article 1 mandate.
- Prepare comprehensive political and political economy assessments for the Country Diagnostics, Country Strategies, and Country Strategy Updates, thereby setting the appropriate context for the Bank’s investment and policy engagement.
- Advise the President and Senior Management, as well as the Board of Directors, on political developments in the region of operations, and prepare written briefs as required to steer high-level political and policy dialogue, identify political economy factors impacting the Bank’s operations, gauge political and operational risk, and facilitate the Bank’s operations in the recipient countries.
- Liaise with high-level officials within governments and other relevant bodies in member countries concerning the political aspects of the Bank’s activities. Maintain political dialogue and serve as a focal point for contact with relevant government departments/institutions (e.g., foreign affairs, regional affairs, national parliaments).
- Maintain robust links with relevant inter-governmental organisations with strong interest and presence in the EBRD region (including the UN and its agencies and relevant regional organisations).
Qualifications & Skills / Experience & Knowledge
- Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as politics, diplomacy, international relations, or political economy; a Ph.D. is preferred.
- Extensive hands-on experience in a number of EBRD recipient countries.
- In-depth knowledge of the politics, history, and culture of a significant group of countries in the EBRD region.
- Sophisticated diplomatic skills necessary for regular contact with high-level national and international officials.
- A strong understanding of political economy issues in the transition region.
- Proven ability to operate independently at a senior level in political, diplomatic, and business environments; must possess extensive high-level political contacts.
- Excellent communication and report writing skills in English at the standard required for official documents.
- Strong partnership skills.
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