The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union's bank. It works in support of EU development and economic co-operation policies by financing investment in both public and private sectors. The EIB is seeking to recruit for its Representation in Ivory Coast, Abidjan, Bankers . These are two full-time positions .

This is a permanent contract based in the EIB Office in Abidjan .

Please be informed that this position is identified as a Local Agent (EIB Local Employee serving in a non-EU country) and kindly note that the recruitment process and subsequent employment conditions for the selected candidate are subject to local labour and tax law compliance in the country of employment, as well as treated in the context of the local market.

Purpose

As client facing Banker, internally referred to as Loan Ocer, you will act as coordinator for EIB financing activities and carry out EIB public sector loans/investments in assigned countries in order to nance projects that support EU development and cooperation policies outside the European Union. You will take end-to-end responsibility for their identification, appraisal, negotiation, approval and follow-up up to and including disbursement. You will provide input to and implement the strategy for EIB public sector operations and country relations in assigned countries, in line with International Partners (IP) Department objectives and guidelines. You will work to maintain EIB Global's relations with a range of partners and counterparts including support to high-level meetings. You will contribute to maintaining appropriate visibility of EIB Global's activities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Specific Post Environment

The posts covered by this recruitment campaign will be linked to the specific Unit covering operations and countries in West & Central Africa but they may also cover any activity of the Division within its Sub- Saharan Africa business as needs dictate. The job may require you to travel to and operate within any of the countries in the region covered by the Regional Hub for West and Central Africa.

You will report to a Head of Unit based in Luxembourg on all matters, including your use of time, leave and professional travel, and the alignment with your role as per your job description and your objectives. You will also have a dotted reporting line for administrative and institutional matters to the Head of the Regional Hub for West and Central Africa.

You will maintain and foster relationships with clients and other stakeholders in country(ies) of responsibility, supporting deal origination and management of the portfolio.

Furthermore, you will contribute to the strategy development process for EIB public sector operations and country relations in assigned countries, in line with the International Partners Department's objectives and guidelines.

You may need to travel frequently, for an estimated minimum of 1 week per month, to the country(ies) that you are responsible for. Regular business travel to Luxembourg will be part of your job prole.

Operating network

Internal contacts

Close cooperation with the other members of the Unit, Division and International Partners (IP) Department. Outside of IP, the position is connected with other EIB Services as required, most importantly with PJ and JU.

External contacts

Close co-operation in particular with (i) the EC and EEAS Services in Brussels and EU Delegations, (ii) borrowers (typically Ministries of Finance) and promoters in assigned countries, and (iii) co-financiers, depending on the operations (mostly other DFIs). Additional external contacts may include, but are not limited to, civil society organisations, IMF, UN agencies etc.

Accountabilities

Transaction origination process:

• Track developments and monitor your target market,
• Develop and maintain relationships with a network of promoters, borrowers and other (nancial) institutions
• Screen proposals and identify lending opportunities that best meet EIB objectives

Lending process:

• Evaluate, at an early stage, the quality of potential projects and their chance of success, including as appropriate consultation in particular with the Projects Directorate (PJ), Compliance Directorate (OCCO), Risk Management (RM) and Legal (JU)
• Evaluate the project and credit risk of proposed operations including leading and coordinating the work of external advisers and the EIB project team
• Lead and coordinate the lending process in cooperation with other Divisions and Directorates, prepare reports and lending proposals in cooperation with the appraisal team and be responsible for the approval process on selected operations
• Negotiate terms and conditions of loan and other project documentation in coordination with EIB's legal and other services

Disbursement and monitoring:

• Lead the disbursement process and fullment of contractual conditions, in coordination with the Implementation Team. Follow-up developments of the project, in coordination with relevant services, in particular PJ, OCCO, RM, and the Portfolio Management and Monitoring Team (PMM)
• 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 in coordination with colleagues in the Bank, EU Delegations and DG INTPA
• Carry out due diligence and, in the event of any restructuring and/or contractual modications prior to rst disbursement, conduct negotiations in liaison with RM, PMM and JU in order to maintain the quality of the loan portfolio and ensure the eective implementation of the nanced project

Optimisation of operating tools and working methods:

• Innovate and suggest improvements to existing tools, systems and products in response to changes in the operational framework
• Ensure correct input of data relating to own area of activity into the management information system in order to contribute to the continuous improvement of working methods and development of products
• Share his/her own information and experience in the management of lending operations with other members of the team in order to enlarge the knowledge and competencies of the team

Value added, cost management and return on operations:

• Ensure the quality and overall value added of lending operations; make sure that the nancial terms set by the Bank match the risk prole and the type of operation, in order to protect the Bank's interest and ensure that operations are as cost ecient as possible in the given context and provide for the risk on an overall basis

Communication and high-level relations with partners:

• Produce relevant information documents in the form of briengs and data to support EIB Global management discussions with external counterparts and high-level meetings
• Contribute to external communications such as press releases, speeches, external reports about the area of activity

EU Programming Process and implementation:

• As needed, constructive dialogue with the EU Delegations, DG INTPA, the EEAS

Qualications:

• University degree (minimum an equivalent to a Bachelor) in Finance/Economics or any business-related discipline
• Minimum five years of relevant experience in the banking, financial or development nance sector
• Good knowledge of financial analysis, credit risk assessment and financial modelling, or relevant experience in this field
• Good knowledge of processes and procedures related to the administration, control and monitoring of lending operations
• Knowledge and work experience with the region and Development Finance would be an advantage
• Good knowledge of standard computer tools
• Strong inter-personal, representational / diplomatic and communication skills are essential
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and French; knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset

Competencies:

Find out more about EIB core competencies here

The position is open to nationals from Ivory Coast. Although mainly operating from Abidjan, the successful candidate should also be prepared to travel within the region and occasionally to headquarters in Luxembourg.

We are an equal opportunities employer, who believes that diversity is good for our people and our business. We encourage all suitably qualifed 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 Jobs@eib.org 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 unauthorized disclosure of any information or any damage to the EIB Group reputation.

Deadline for applications: 17th November 2023