Principal Engineer - MEI

Ref 60002283

Country United Kingdom

City London

Department Banking Business Unit Infrastructure, MEI

Closing date for applications 4 May 2015

Role Overview

EBRD is a market leader in financing innovative environmental projects across its Countries of Operations, which currently include Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Turkey, and the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries of Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan. The Bank has financed over 50 district heating and cooling projects, of diverse scope, across its Countries of Operations in the region, including not only heating/cooling production, but also associated infrastructure related to heat/cooling distribution, metering, as well as energy efficiency and renewable energy investments within the sector. Project structures are equally diverse, including public and private sector clients, private sponsors from PPP/concessions arrangements, but with a focus on projects structured as direct sub-sovereign and municipal public utility projects. The Bank has a strong project pipeline, including PPPs, and is addressing energy efficiency and climate change issues through its Sustainable Energy Initiative.

As part of the MEI contribution to sustainable energy activities, the Bank invests in district heating and cooling projects that reduce the amount of power wasted in derelict networks, outdated facilities and energy-inefficient buildings. It committed some €90 million to 8 projects in 2014.The Bank's strategy in the district heating sector is to modernise and improve DH infrastructure and services through structures that consolidate environmental benefits, and create lasting and robust financial, institutional and regulatory outcomes. The objective of the role is to build on the activities already implemented to increase the Bank's impact (in terms of volume of financing, number of operations, coverage of sectors, energy savings and emissions reductions and, innovative financing instruments) and assist the region in improving the sustainability of the DH sector more generally.

The Bank is now seeking a district heating and cooling specialist to work with bankers in the Municipal and Environmental Infrastructure (MEI) Team in delivering on the Bank's mandate in this area.

The MEI Team has both quantitative targets, such as annual business volume and number of projects signed, and qualitative targets, such as the achievement of ‘transition impact' in line with the EBRD mandate and energy efficiency/climate change (E2C2) targets in order to promote sustainable development in the sector. The overarching task of the DH Specialist is to support the MEI Team in meeting its objectives in the DH sector. The DH Specialist will also play a significant role in supporting the implementation of the SEI strategy in infrastructure operations, covering activities across the EBRD Countries of Operations and will be based in London. The DH Specialist will be part of the MEI Team which comprises more than 50 professionals with backgrounds in banking, finance, engineering and procurement.

This position may be offered at a higher level with modified job description.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

The successful candidate will support MEI Operation Leaders to structure, close and monitor DH and cooling transactions. S/he will scope and oversee significant consultancy assignments related to project preparation, due diligence, project implementation, corporate development and institutional strengthening. The DH and cooling Specialist will analyse regulatory, institutional, business planning, technical, economic, procurement and environmental aspects of projects. Specific tasks will include: Business Development, Project Preparation & Structuring

• Assist in the identification of lending opportunities in the DH and cooling sector.
• Visit prospective clients to assess DH and cooling projects' potential, discuss investment strategy with respective management of operators, suppliers, construction firms, other utilities, regulators and local governments.
• Identify best available and appropriate technological measures to be pursued based on the needs of those countries in which the Bank is active and identify business opportunities for technology suppliers.
• Participate in conferences on DH and cooling financing.
• Prepare Terms of References and budgets for the consultancy assignments, in cooperation with clients and donors as required. Provide assistance in any pre-qualification activities required.
• Prepare precise criteria to enable the objective evaluation and selection of the consultants' proposals.
• Support and advise the MEI team in the evaluation and the selection of consultants.
• Advise and propose follow-up actions based on monitoring of the consultants' works.
• Contribute to the internal appraisal documents.
• Review projects being considered by the Bank for financing with a view to identifying at an early stage E2C2 potential, and how bank funding can be used for sustainable sector development.
• Cooperate with internal relevant units which are involved in the Climate Change activities, such as Green Investment Schemes, Joint Implementation, Clean Development Mechanism, and Voluntary Emissions Market when the projects are considered to have potential for additional financing from these sources.
• Advise clients on best international management practices in the DH and cooling sector, focusing on streamlining the internal organisation of the sector, improving the institutional and regulatory practices, facilitating the effective operation of client companies, infrastructure networks and high quality service provision based on client oriented systems, long term planning, and utilisation of IT technologies.

Project Implementation

• In close co-operation with the clients and the MEI procurement specialists, review and advise on issues related to implementation of signed DH and cooling sector projects (including the development of proposed remedial actions).
• Evaluate the opportunity to arrange capacity building activities with the purpose of providing the client's management with the necessary tools to fully factor sustainability considerations into their overall business strategy and to facilitate the implementation of the planned investments.
• Contribute to preparation of internal reports regarding the project implementation status and progress of the institutional reforms.

Policy Dialogue

• Carry out discussions with government bodies and officials on development of policies impacting the DH and cooling sector.
• Keep abreast of climate change and energy efficiency policy issues in the region and in the European Union.
• Advise on implications of policy developments on signed projects and projects under the preparation phase.

Donor Relationship

• Maintain dialogue with the donors active in the DH and cooling sector with a view to maximising the impact of their involvement.
• Inform the donors on policy developments and their impact on projects developed and financed by EBRD.
• Advise on donors' initiatives impacting the DH and cooling sectors.

Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Master's degree from a leading university (e.g. preferably in Mechanical/Process engineering). A combination of technical and commercial skills developed in industry, government and/or private consultancy will be an advantage.
• Thorough and relevant experience of the technical and institutional / structural aspects of the construction, rehabilitation and modernisation of DH and cooling systems and projects, but also relevant banking, commercial/operational, government or consulting experience, gained from a reputable bank, industrial enterprise or advisory/consultancy firm, with a demonstrable track record of successful DH and cooling projects. Good knowledge of modern (i.e. Western European or similar) industrial process applications and/or retrofitting existing processes
• An aptitude for combining technical expertise with the ability to manage business relationships and sound commercial judgement.
• Knowledge and experience of the countries of Eastern / Central Europe, Russian/CIS, Turkey and/or the SEMED region (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan) with regard to the DH and cooling sector including, technologies, policies, sector reforms, customer service standards and regulatory aspects. Knowledge and experience in CIS Countries will be particularly considered.
• Familiarity with the EBRD banking appraisal process of the project loans and financing of external consulting services will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of EBRD and international donor organisations, their institutional priorities, policies and procedures.
• Ability to formulate policy documents and analysis.
• Very good command of written and spoken English. Working knowledge of Russian language will be an advantage.
• Computer literate, in particular with understanding of financial modelling and use of Excel.
• Ability to operate in multi-cultural environments and to build effective working relations with clients, colleagues and partners from the international community.
• The applicant should be result-oriented, self-motivated and with an enthusiastic ability for sustained high work level.
• Willingness to travel extensively across the region.

Application information: http://www.ebrdjobs.com/fe/tpl_ebrd01.asp?newms=jj&id=113629