Associate Counsel - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (London)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Handle legal aspects of EBRD's lending and investment operations
• Conduct legal research
• Draft legal documentation
• Negotiate legal documentation
• Work on debt and/or equity transactions

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: A law degree, and preferably also a (post-)graduate degree
• Experience: Typically, between 3-5 years of prior work experience as a lawyer in private practice or in-house legal team with experience working on debt and/or equity transactions
• Languages: English (C2), Arabic, French, Russian, Ukrainian
• Key skills: Excellent command of written and spoken English, Excellent project management skills, Ability to monitor and follow up on many activities concurrently under time constraints, Ability to understand and manage priorities, Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, Client focus
• Eligibility: Nationals of the following jurisdictions: Albania, Armenia, Algeria, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Republic of Korea,…

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Interview process in January-March 2027

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 3 years, fixed term.

Working arrangements: 50% on-site attendance required.

Hiring unit: Office of the General Counsel, Banking Operations group.

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Associate Counsel at EBRD based in London.

Requisition ID 37147 Office Country United Kingdom Office City London Division Office of the General Counsel Contract Type Fixed Term Contract Length 3 years Posting End Date 25/11/2026

Role Overview

EBRD’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is at the core of EBRD’s mandate to build sustainable and open market economies in the jurisdictions where it operates, ranging from Central and Eastern Europe and the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean to Central Asia. EBRD has also expanded its activities to 6 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Deploying more than €15 billion of financing each year, EBRD is a leader in climate finance, including investments in renewables, green bonds and energy efficiency programs. It also supports small and medium-sized enterprises, infrastructure projects, local manufacturers and many others, with a focus on promoting the sustainable development of the private sector.

OGC handles all legal aspects of EBRD’s lending and investment transactions, provides legal advice for institutional and administrative matters and supports EBRD’s policy development in its region through its legal transition program.

The Office of the General Counsel is seeking a number of outstanding lawyers to join the department's Associate Programme. Associates will have the opportunity to contribute country, language and academic knowledge to support the institution and facilitate its operations. The roles will be based in London.

Successful candidates will be offered a 3-year fixed term contract, beginning on or around 1 September 2027.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The Associates will be assigned to the OGC’s Banking Operations group, which handles the legal aspects of EBRD’s lending and investment operations.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Candidates are expected to have:

- A law degree, and preferably also a (post-)graduate degree - Typically, between 3-5 years of prior work experience as a lawyer in private practice or in-house legal team ensuring familiarity with the areas of practice referenced above, specifically experience working on debt and/or equity transactions, including conducting legal research, drafting and negotiating legal documentation. - Legal work experience gained in the Bank’s countries/regions of operations is preferable. Legal work experience gained in more than one jurisdiction is also an asset. - Excellent command of written and spoken English. - Preferably fluent in one or more of the key languages relevant to the work in the Bank’s countries/regions of operations (including Arabic, French, Russian and Ukrainian). - Demonstrated readiness to work in the Bank’s countries/regions of operations and a keen interest in international development. - Excellent project management skills, ability to monitor and follow up on many activities concurrently under time constraints and ability to understand and manage priorities. - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and client focus.

Candidates from the following jurisdictions are eligible to apply:

Albania, Armenia, Algeria, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina , Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark. Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan.

The interview process will take place in January-March 2027.

What is it like to work at the 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.

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; - An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do.

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does. A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterized by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. 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, sexual orientation or disabilities. As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.

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).

Job Segment:Sustainability, Project Manager, Bank, Banking, Energy, Bilingual, Technology, Finance

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 5 November 2026, 2 days ago.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 6 November 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at EBRD see the EBRD institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in London see our London location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.