The EIB, the European Union’s bank is seeking to recruit for its Projects Directorate (PJ), Urban & Territorial Development Department (UTD), Regional Development Division (REGDEV) at its headquarters in Luxembourg, Two (Senior) Regional Development Specialists*.

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

Final Panel interviews are anticipated for 3^rd week in December 2023.

*Internal benchmark: (Senior) Sector Economist

Purpose

The (Senior) Regional Development Specialists will work within multi-disciplinary teams on the preparation, appraisal and implementation of projects in accordance with EIB procedures, located mainly in the EU but also in EU neighbourhood countries and other EIB countries of operation. The (Senior) Specialists will also contribute to advisory assignments as well as policy-related and knowledge development / dissemination, as relevant.

Operating Network

The (Senior) Regional Development Specialists will report to the Head of the Regional Development Division and work closely with other professional staff of the Urban and Territorial Development (UTD) Department, as well as other PJ Departments and Bank staff as appropriate, especially those in the Bank’s Lending Directorates.

Areas of activity:

The main area of responsibility will be within the field of multi-sector Framework Loans. These include Structural Programme Loans, where the EIB co-finances (on a programme basis) the investments supported by the EU Structural Funds, as well as operations concerning disaster response and risk management.

The (Senior) Regional Development Specialists work across the whole project cycle, with a focus on appraisal, monitoring and implementation, but also involvement in origination and structuring.

The (Senior) Regional Development Specialists will also contribute to policy-related and knowledge development / dissemination, in relevant areas of activity of the Regional Development Division. This may include contacts with relevant EU bodies on Cohesion Policy and Just Transition and with other counterparts in the area of Disaster Risk Management, depending on the specific responsibilities of the (Senior) Specialists.

Regular travel (generally short trips to project locations) would be involved.

Accountabilities

The (Senior) Regional Development Specialists will:

• Provide independent due diligence and appraisal of projects and programmes in multiple areas, including technical, economic, financial, environmental, procurement, market demand, implementation, operation.
• Prepare appraisal reports and inputs to project reports submitted for approval by the Bank’s Management Committee and Board of Directors.
• Closely follow the implementation of projects and prepare monitoring and completion reports.
• Provide expert input in the early screening of investments.
• Prepare project briefings to management on projects submitted to Governing Bodies as well as any relevant issues in the Specialist’s areas of expertise.
• Track evolution of relevant policy, legislative, regulatory and operational changes in the area of operation and in relevant countries/regions.
• Actively acquire and disseminate knowledge and communicate on the Bank’s activities in the area of operation/expertise, including active representation at selected sector events.
• Liaise with EU institutions, international organisations and other relevant stakeholders on policy development and sector issues.
• Advise promoters on the preparation and implementation of projects (often involving the initiation and management of consultancy assignments).
• Draft sector studies and policy papers, as required, and take over other horizontal responsibilities related to the Division’s pipeline.

Qualifications

• University degree (minimum an equivalent to a Bachelor) preferably in a relevant field (e.g. Economics, Engineering, Regional Development, Regional or Urban Planning, Public Policy Analysis and Administration, Law or another relevant discipline);
• At least 5 years of recent and relevant experience in project work in one or more of the areas of activity listed under “Operating Network” above, preferably combining experience in more than one of these areas;
• Experience in conducting project appraisal and monitoring, risk analysis, and project feasibility, market and sector studies;
• Familiarity with the management and control of EU funds as well as an in-depth understanding of how the public sector operates would be an advantage;
• Familiarity with the EU Just Transition Mechanism and the general concept of Just Transition as well as experience of working with international financial institutions and familiarity with EU sector policies would be an advantage;
• Familiarity with the concepts and practical experience in the fields of disaster response and disaster risk management would be an advantage;
• Experience in appraisal of projects involving guarantees, senior debt, and work with intermediated financing through banks or other intermediaries would be an advantage;
• Proficiency in standard computer applications, especially Excel and Power Point;
• Excellent knowledge of English and/or French (*), with a good command of the other. (Knowledge of other EU languages 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: 5^th December 2023

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