(Senior) Institutional Policy Officer in the Brussels office

The EIB, the European Union’s bank, is seeking to recruit for its General Secretariat (SG) – EIB Permanent Representative’s Office in Brussels (BXL OFF) – Policies and Operations Unit (PO)at its headquarters in Luxembourg, a (Senior) Institutional Policy Officer in the Brussels office. This is a full-time position at grade 5/6.

The term of this contract will be 3 years.

Panel interviews are anticipated from October, 2021.

As the (Senior) Institutional Policy Officer, internally referred to as (Senior) Officer, you will be involved in strengthening the Brussels office capacity to promote the roll-out EIB´s Climate Bank Roadmap and its non-EU operations in support of EU external action. The position will further the Bank´s inter-institutional cooperation and alignment with relevant Brussels-based stakeholders (including the EC, the Council, the EP and think tanks), whose understanding and institutional/ political support will be vital to the success of EIB´s endeavours in these strategic areas.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Policies & Operations Unit, this role at the Office of the Permanent Representative in Brussels encompasses a high volume of activities in a complex organizational framework. You will strengthen the capacity to develop high-level relations and to facilitate inter-institutional and policy dialogue with the European Commission, the Council, the European Parliament and other stakeholders, including International Financial Institutions and National Promotional Banks.

This position requires a high level of political discernment, following up on the legislative and non-legislative EU decision-making process within its assigned portfolio, representing the Bank in the preparation, negotiation and follow-up of institutional affairs, EU political initiatives and policies concerning the EIB in order to promote its views in liaison with the competent services of the Bank

You will report to the Head of the Policies & Operations Unit and work in close collaboration with the EIB Group’s services and governance structure as well as with EU institutions and bodies (Commission, Parliament, working groups of the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions), permanent representations, National Promotional Banks and other international organisations.

• Contribute to the implementation of the Bank’s strategy for enhancing the EIB’s institutional presence through the development of the representational activities of the Brussels Office, with a focus on EIB`s activities in Climate Action as well as its role in underpinning EU foreign and development policy in third countries;
• Monitor and analyse the EU political decision-making process within EU Institutions and bodies insofar as it concerns the EIB activities, and report accordingly to the EIB Group’s services and/or governance structure. This includes:
  • Staying abreast of institutional initiatives within the Bank’s services;
  • Identifying, analysing and following up institutional initiatives related to EIB activities within an assigned portfolio;
  • Drafting notes to the Management Committee, such as briefing notes and reports on institutional initiatives that are of relevance for the Bank;
• Advocate EIB´s institutional views vis-à-vis Brussels-based institutions for issues that may impact the Bank and, in this capacity, research and analyse legislation or regulatory proposals, attend relevant meetings within the EU Institutions, and/or inform EU officials and permanent representations staff on issues relevant to the EIB;
• Coordinate and contribute to institutional negotiations with other EU institutions and bodies, participate to the negotiations and lead some stages of the negotiation whenever relevant/requested. This includes:
  • Providing advice and support to the Bank’s services in the preparation and/or running of institutional negotiations;
  • Overseeing or contributing to EIB agreements with other institutions;
  • Participating in negotiating possible new initiatives or related reviews with the EU Institutions;
• Support the Management Committee members’ activities in Brussels and lead the organisation of EIB participation in Brussels-based events;
• Maintain a high level of awareness to the Bank’s services on current EU regulatory, institutional and political decisions relevant to the EIB Group in order to liaise back to the interested Bank’s services on matters that are of relevance for their policy and/or operational framework;
• Represent the Bank in related negotiations and committees in order to promote and explain the Bank’s position;
• Collect all relevant institutional information and deliver timely reports on EU-Institutions initiatives and events (when appropriate for EIB group).

• University degree preferably in Political Science, EU Studies, Law, Economics, Finance or similar;
• At least 5 years (ideally 8 years) of directly relevant professional experience of the EU institutional and decision making framework, ideally gained in international Banking or finance, EU institutions, Permanent Representation or relevant national Administration;
• Preferably 2-3 years of relevant experience working on key EU policy dossiers or initiatives (in particular in the areas of Climate Action and/or EU External Action), representing EU Institutions, permanent representations or promotional financing institutions in political and/or regulatory decision-making processes;
• Very good knowledge of the EU institutional framework, the EU legislative and regulatory process and international institutional and policy frameworks;
• Familiarity with the EIB Group’s business activities and policies and its framework for collaboration with other EU institutions and International Financial Institutions (IFIs);
• Good knowledge and experience of the activities and decision-making process of the EU Institutions;
• Proven track record in institutional affairs, policy dialogue and dealing with both sensitive and complex issues;
• Representational experience with strong networking, negotiation and diplomatic skills;
• Demonstrable experience of report writing based on analytical thinking and policy analysis and formulation;
• Previous experience in matters related to EU Climate Action or EU External Action (including NDICI and the discussions on the European Financial Architecture for Development) would be an advantage
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and/or a good knowledge of French(*), knowledge of other EU languages would be an advantage.

Find out more about EIB core competencies here

(*) 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.

We are an equal opportunity employer, who believes that diversity is good for our people and our business. As such, we promote the inclusion of suitably qualified and experienced staff without regard to their gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation/identity, or disability (*).

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:10thSeptember 2021

(*). We particularly welcome applications from women and persons with disabilities.

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