The EIB, the European Union’s bank, is seeking to recruit for its EIB Global Directorate (GLO) – Neighbouring Countries Department (NC)*– Public Sector East Division (NC-2 PUB SEC EAST), at its headquarters in Luxembourg, an (Associate) Lending Specialist **.

This is a full-time position at grade 4/5 for which the EIB offers a permanent contract.

*GLO is currently undergoing reorganization and this position will be assigned to the Enlargement & Neighbourhood Department – Eastern Neighbourhood Public Sector Division starting 1^st July 2023.

**internal benchmark: (Associate) Officer Lending Operations

Panel interviews are anticipated for July/August 2023.

Purpose

The NC-2 PUB SEC EAST Division carries out lending operations in the public sector in EU neighboring countries, namely: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Operations in two other countries from the region: Belarus and Russia have been suspended until further decisions. In terms of business volumes, Ukraine is the biggest market.

(Associate) Lending Specialist will identify, appraise, negotiate, finalise and monitor the lending operations in the sectors and countries covered by the Division’s operations, with a focus on the Ukrainian market.

Operating Network

Internally, (Associate) Lending Specialist cooperates closely with colleagues working in the Division, in other parts of EIB Global, including in the external offices, as well as with colleagues in other Directorates of the Bank, e.g. Project Department, Legal Services, Risk Management, Portfolio Management and Monitoring, Finance and Compliance.

Externally, s/he will be in contact with representatives from relevant public sector institutions outside of the EU, EC/EEAS, other international financing institutions and development partners, NGOs and civil society organisations, etc.

Accountabilities

The jobholder will carry out her/his tasks under the supervision and guidance of the Head of Division, in conjunction with – as applicable – senior members of staff and project team members and in cooperation with other Directorates of the Bank. These tasks will include:

Projects origination process

• Track developments in and monitor her/his target market, develop and maintain a network of contacts with promoters and borrowers and other MDBs/IFIs operating in the region and identify lending opportunities that best meet the objectives of EIB Global.

Lending process

• Evaluate, at an early stage, the quality of potential projects and their chance of success, in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the appraisal process.
• Structure loan proposals, evaluate the feasibility, analyse project and financial risks, prepare reports and lending proposals.
• Evaluate the needs for ancillary instruments, including blending with investment grants and technical assistance, and carry out the preparation, approval and implementation of such instruments.
• Coordinate the lending process.

Negotiation of contracts

• Negotiate terms and conditions of loans and other project documentation with promoter and other counterparts.
• Organise contract signatures and follow-up on the ratification of contracts.

Disbursement and monitoring

• Monitor the disbursement process and compliance with contractual conditions for disbursements. Follow-up on developments of projects (typically up to first disbursement). Ensure, in line with applicable guidelines, a regular review of the financial position of counterparts/projects, of the KYC requirements, and contractual compliance.
• Carry out due diligence and, in the event of any restructuring and/or contractual modifications, negotiate appropriate steps in order to maintain the quality of the loan portfolio and ensure the effective implementation of the financed project.

Optimisation of operating tools and working methods

• Innovate and suggest improvements of existing tools, systems and products in response to changes in the operational frameworks and business environment.
• Ensure correct input of data concerning own area of activity into the management information system in order to contribute to the continuous improvement of working methods and product developments.

Value added, cost management and return on operations

• Ensure the quality and overall value added of lending activities; make sure that the financial terms set by the Bank match the risk profile and the type of operation, in order to protect the Bank’s interest and ensure that operations are as cost efficient as possible in the given context and compensate for the credit/project risk associated with the transaction.

Qualifications

• University degree (minimum an equivalent to a Bachelor), preferably in Finance/Economics/Political Science/Commercial Law or any related subject.
• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in a bank, an international development organisation or in an international financial institution, in structuring and execution of loans or other financial instruments or in transaction processing
• Proven expertise in participating in initiatives or projects outside of the EU, as well as experience in credit risk assessment, would be an advantage.
• Good analytical skills (including financial analysis) and command of relevant IT tools.
• Excellent knowledge of English and/or French (*) with a good command of the other. Ukrainian language would be an advantage.

Competencies

Find out more about EIB core competencies here

(*) Unless stated explicitly as a required qualification, a good command of French is not a pre-requisite for hire. As both English and French are however official working languages of the EIB, proficiency in both languages is a pre-requisite for your future career development. Any language clause in your contract must be fulfilled in order for you to be eligible for a promotion (either via the annual appraisal cycle or via an internal selection process). Proficiency is understood to mean the attainment of level 5 of the Inter Institutional language courses, corresponding to B1.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). The Bank offers appropriate training support.

We are an equal opportunities employer, who believes that diversity is good for our people and our business. We encourage all suitably qualified and eligible candidates to apply regardless of their gender identity/expression, age, racial, ethnic and cultural background, religion and beliefs, sexual orientation/identity, disability or neurodiversity.

Applicants with specific needs are encouraged to request reasonable accommodations at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact the EIB Recruitment team [email protected] who will ensure that your request is handled.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge the importance of maintaining the security and integrity of the Information of the EIB Group. In case of selection for the position you agree to comply with all measures (policies, controls, document classification and management) implemented by the EIB Group to prevent unauthorised disclosure of any information or any damage to the EIB Group reputation.

Deadline for applications: 7^th July 2023

#LI-POST