Project Economist(s)

EIB - European Investment Bank
Luxembourg - Luxembourg
S: Excellent salary

The EIB, the European Union's bank, is seeking to recruit for its Projects Directorate (PJ) - Innovation and Competitiveness Department (INCO) - Digital Economy Division (DIGITAL), at its headquarters in Luxembourg, a:

Project Economist(s)

This is a full time position at grade 4/5

The term of this contract will be 4 years

The EIB offers fixed-term contracts of up to a maximum of 6 years, according to business needs, with a possibility to convert to a permanent contract, subject to organisational requirements and individual performance.

Background
PJ provides advice and independent opinions to the EIB's decision makers on the quality and risks of investment projects. It plays an important role in advising promoters on the development and implementation of projects either directly or through external consultants. PJ is also involved in policy formulation for the EIB to respond to EU policies.

Purpose
The Economist assesses, within multi-disciplinary teams, the viability of investment projects and programmes in particular related to initiatives on SME/Skills and Jobs in all countries where the Bank operates, in accordance with the Bank's and PJ procedures.
Within the Digital Economy, which covers the ICT industries, service industries, intermediated lending activities to SME and Mid-Caps as well as the Bank's initiative on Skills and Jobs for Youth, the economist will focus in particular, but not exclusively on intermediated financing activities. The Division supports and actively develops the Bank's strategy with respect to the Innovation and Skills COP Objective. Jobs effects induced by SMEs and Mid-Caps have become a prime reason of the support for projects in the intermediated lending business. Increased focus will also be put on the role of this for issues related to youth unemployment and integration of refugees, in the context of the current economic adjustment process in a number of Member Countries and also countries under Mandates. Special focus will be devoted in analysing the reporting structure of intermediated financing with respect to these goals.

Operating network
The Economist will report to the Head of the Digital Economy and work in close contact with the other professional staff of the Innovation and Competitiveness Department, the other PJ Departments and Bank staff, notably those participating in the Lending Operations. Extensive travel may be required including outside the EU.

Accountabilities
The Project Economist will evaluate the economic aspect of the Bank's lending operations and the operation environment for pursuing the relevant policy goals. The economist will also be expected to promote the understanding of the main issues and challenges of the SME and Mid-Cap sector to key decision makers in the Bank and to present the Bank's contribution to the interested outside world, including the European Commission and other international bodies and peer groups concerned with the sector. As part of a multi-disciplinary team and in particular liaising with the Department's other expert staff, the duties of the project economist will be:
• Impact studies (including methodology, strategy and sector perspectives) including broader economic and financial background, to provide the Bank with analytical tools to evaluate the relevant policy setting in different countries and regions, and to lead to the identification of business and lending priorities.
• Close cooperation with EIB's Operations Directorate and the EIF to identify Bank financing opportunities that best address the priorities of the various countries.
• Assessment of the allocations for financing deriving from intermediate operations.
• Supporting and monitoring the implementation of financed investments where a considerable workload will be in countries with less well established project development traditions. This involves assisting clients and Bank services to ensure progress, including setting up and advising Project Implementation/Monitoring Units.
• External contacts, including the corresponding units in the European Commission, other international bodies (e.g. OECD), research institutions and IFIs as well as active representation at selected sector events.
• If need arises the economist should also display flexibility to support other sectors within the division or department.
• Willingness to travel also to countries outside the EU.

Qualifications
• University degree in Economics, ideally with majors in finance, labour or industrial economics.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience gained in economic analysis, economics research for innovation and firm growth, with a corporate, consultancy, research institute or financial institution; experience in more than one sector and country would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of economic project appraisal and modelling; experience with project finance operations would be an advantage.
• Excellent knowledge of English or French and a good command of the other. Working knowledge of other European Union languages would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of basic EU legislation and some industrial technology/process knowledge would be an advantage.

Competencies
• Achievement Drive: continually keeps an eye on performance, focusing on improving it, showing drive and determination to meet short and long-term goals.
• Change Orientation: Adapts to differences and changes in the environment; takes a flexible approach to reach outcomes.
• Collaboration: Works cooperatively as part of a team; works collaboratively with peers across organisational boundaries based on a genuine interest in and an accurate understanding of others and their individual perspectives and concerns.
• Organisational Commitment: Is willing to commit to an organisation whose mission is to support Europe and is open to diversity, and to align her/his own behaviour with the organisation's needs and intrinsic values, acting with integrity in ways that promote the organisation's mission, policies and rules.

(*) There may be certain flexibility on this requirement, but limited to particularly suitable candidates who may not yet be proficient in French. If selected, such candidates will be hired on the condition that they build up rapidly knowledge of French and accept that their future career in the EIB may be subject to the attainment of sufficient proficiency in both of the Bank's working languages

Interested:
You can apply via the 'Apply' button.

Deadline for applications: 17th April 2017

We believe that Diversity is good for our people and our business. We promote and value diversity and inclusion among our staff and candidates; irrespective of their gender, age, nationality, race, culture, education and experience, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or disability

Keywords: vacancy, Fulltime, Luxembourg, Economist, Finance.

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