The EBRD has appointed Victoria Márquez-Mees as its first Chief Accountability Officer, responsible for leading the Bank’s new Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM).

Prior to joining the EBRD, Ms Márquez-Mees led the Inter-American Development Bank’s independent accountability mechanism for over 10 years and chaired the Independent Accountability Mechanisms Network of international financial institutions from 2017-19.

“It is an honour for me to be appointed by the EBRD Board of Directors as the first Chief Accountability Officer of the IPAM. I look forward to engaging with civil society, EBRD management and other stakeholders in the building of this new mechanism along with my team so as to ensure a robust, transparent and responsive accountability function for the Bank,” said Victoria Márquez-Mees.

Over the course of her career, Ms Márquez-Mees has held a range of positions in public and private institutions, focused on strategic planning, policy design and the implementation of social and philanthropic projects.

The EBRD’s new Independent Project Accountability Mechanism was approved  in 2019 following the review of the existing Project Complaint Mechanism (PCM) and its 2014 governing policy, the PCM Rules of Procedure.

The process resulted in significant  changes to the structure, governance and operational procedures of the EBRD accountability mechanism, strengthening the institution’s accountability mandate. Ms Márquez-Mees’ experience leading the IADB’s 2014 accountability policy transition will be integral to the implementation of IPAM’s revised mandate.

Ms Márquez-Mees will take office in July 2020, bringing IPAM and the 2019 Project Accountability Policy into effect.

The new Chief Accountability Officer will report directly to the EBRD Board of Directors. Among other responsibilities, Ms Márquez-Mees will lead IPAM  compliance reviews of the Bank’s Environmental and Social Policy and Access to Information Policy; client community dispute resolution; and advisoty and outreach initiatives.