The EIB, the European Union’s bank, is seeking to recruit for its Operations Directorate (OPS), Advisory Services Department (AS), European PPP Expertise Centre Division (EPEC)* at its headquarters in Luxembourg, (Senior) Financial Advisers**.

These are full-time positions at grade 5/6 for which the EIB offers a permanent contract.

* Following the reorganization that will be implemented as from 1 October 2023, the division will be renamed Public & Infrastructure Finance Advisory (OPS/AS/PIFA/-/-).

**internal benchmark (Senior) Officer Advisory

Panel interviews are anticipated for beginning of October 2023.

Purpose

As a (Senior) Adviser, you will join a Division comprising specialists delivering Public and Infrastructure finance advisory support to both public and private promoters undertaking infrastructure projects across the European Union, focusing on climate and green assets (e.g., renewable energy, energy storage and transport, electric mobility, hydrogen, district heating, decarbonation projects etc.). Additionally, the Division places importance on digital infrastructure, such as data centers and broadband networks.

The primary objective of the Division is to provide comprehensive assistance throughout the project lifecycle, so to support the identification of EIB eligible Infrastructure operations, accelerate their development and maturity to bankability, as well as to bring commercially robust projects to market. The advisory services performed aim to contribute to the pipeline of EIB financing mechanisms, accelerate due diligence, as well as to ensure efficient and effective procurement and implementation of projects.

The advisory support provided includes:

• Downstream “Project-focused” work, which involves (pre)feasibility and options analysis, procurement and financing strategies, business design and financial structuring/engineering as well as transactional support. The Division provides expert advice and support to our clients in the preparation, financing, and implementation of complex infrastructure projects across various sectors;
• Upstream “Project-enabling” work such as providing programming/policy/institutional advice on thematic and sectorial investment topics, but also conducting market studies and surveys, developing actionable recommendations programs, as well as designing and piloting new financial products when necessary. With this work, we strive to create, deepen and expand targeted sectors, as well as to develop a pipeline of investable projects and enhance EIB financing toolkit with scalable and innovative financing instruments.

Also, the Division hosts the European PPP Expertise Centre (EPEC) initiative, which has been providing strategic advisory support and high-level market information on PPP projects to a wide range of stakeholders, including Member countries in the EU, since 2008.

Operating Network

In this post, you will report to the Head of Division, working closely with the existing team of advisers and support staff. As an integral part of the EIB’s Advisory Services, close cooperation with different parts of the Bank is critical to the continued success of the Division and to the delivery of advisory assignments.

Following the reorganization that will be implemented as from 1 October 2023, the division will be renamed Public & Infrastructure Finance Advisory (OPS/AS/PIFA/-/-).

Accountabilities

In this post, you will:

• Source and screen Infrastructure projects for potential finance advisory support by the EIB, so to then select the most promising ones with potential to benefit eventually from an EIB financing;
• Undertake scoping and design of advisory assignments to support Promoters in overcoming hurdles and transforming their projects into eligible, sound and bankable Infrastructure projects; such advisory will include support in technical and financial feasibility and options assessment, risk assessment and mitigation, procurement and funding strategies, business plan preparation and development of sound financing plans, and capacity building;
• Develop well-defined thematic or sectorial advisory assignments to identify and assess financial bottlenecks, develop recommendations to enhance access to finance for projects, and when necessary, design and pilot new financing solutions and products;
• Form and lead a multidisciplinary EIB team drawing on a range of internal expertise (incl. technical and E&S internal resources), addressing the needs of the advisory assignments. You will also collaborate with external consultants to supplement the team’s capabilities effectively, when necessary;
• Prepare documentation for internal approvals and consultant procurement processes (if any);
• Perform day-to-day management of advisory assignment execution to ensure high quality deliverables, insightful analysis, value-added recommendations and solutions that empower Promoters to progress their projects;
• Foster close coordination with EIB lending teams and technical and E&S specialists, providing a comprehensive & integrated approach to advisory assignments as well as seamless integration with the EIB lending project cycle;
• Develop business relations with key external parties (e.g. European Commission, project promoters, investors, financial institutions, government representatives, local authorities, other EU institutions, etc.) in order to successfully deploy infrastructure finance advisory activities with a view to deliver on mandates, build co-operation and stay abreast of best practice;
• Establish and maintain relationships with EPEC Members and PPP stakeholders in relevant countries;
• Actively follow trends and developments in assigned EU countries, Infrastructure sectors, fields and market segments to understand evolving advisory needs across EU.

Qualifications

• University degree(s) (minimum an equivalent to Bachelor) preferably in a relevant field, such as Finance, Economics, Law, Engineering or Business Administration
• At least 5 years’ relevant professional experience in Infrastructure finance, including exposure to financial, economic, technical and legal aspects of project financing (incl. Project Finance, PPPs, others) operating in a commercially oriented project environment
• Sound knowledge of Infrastructure financing in the European context, with in-depth practical PF/PPP experience in one or more sectors and/or at least two EU countries.
• Experience in energy infrastructure finance would be a distinct advantage.
• Experience/knowledge of financing products within Infrastructure projects, including the requirements and procedures for such financings.
• A good understanding of new and innovative financing products, sectors, and players in Infrastructure.
• Demonstrable skills and experience in strategic thinking, analysis and problem solving
• Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with clients, partners, senior management and team members
• Ability to manage a mixed portfolio of work and to deliver to tight (including self-imposed) deadlines
• Excellent knowledge of English and/or French (*), with a good command of the other.
• Proficiency in MS Office Tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

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: 31^st August 2023

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