Country Manager

Job details :

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), established in 1956, is a multilateral development bank with a unique social mandate from its 43 member states. The CEB finances investment in social sectors, including education, health and affordable housing, with a focus on the needs of vulnerable people. Borrowers include governments, local and regional authorities, public and private banks, non-profit organisations and others. As a multilateral bank with a triple-A credit rating, the CEB funds itself on the international capital markets. It approves projects according to strict social, environmental and governance criteria, and provides technical assistance. In addition, the CEB receives funds from donors to complement its activities.

The Loans & Social Development Directorate (L&D), at the heart of the project lifecycle, cooperates closely with other CEB Directorates to develop the Bank’s loan and grant operations, within the orientations of the CEB’s Strategic Framework, and fulfil the CEB’s distinctive social mandate. L&D develops relations with borrowers, identifies opportunities for financing social investments, manages key aspects of project appraisals, negotiates contracts, structures financial offers and monitors use of funds.

The Projects Division (L&D-DP) identifies, screens and coordinates the appraisal, financing and monitoring of bankable social investment projects by mobilising the requisite input and expertise to implement and achieve the objectives of the CEB Strategic Framework. L&D-DP ensures a first systematic screening of projects in terms of social added value, financial viability, credit risk and compliance. L&D-DP elaborates the agenda of project approvals and disbursements, proposes corrective actions, coordinates with national, regional and local authorities and other actors (IFIs, international organisations…) and uses, when necessary, consultancy services paid on trust funds or CEB own resources.

The Projects Division in the Loans & Social Development Directorate is looking for a skilled Country Manager to implement the loan and project financing policy as well as blending operations with the EU and other multilateral institutions and contribute to the objectives of the Bank’s Strategic Framework. Under the general guidance of the Head of Division and reporting to a Head of Unit, the successful candidate will possess in-depth knowledge of the economic, political and social environment in CEB member states, excellent analytical skills and strong communications skills to operate efficiently a multicultural environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Identify opportunities for financing projects with a high social and environmental added value with existing or new borrowers. Develop and manage the cooperation with national, regional and local authorities and with other public or private actors (including IFIs, international organisations, donors, consultants, etc.) in the preparation of Bank’s projects.


Academic background:
A university degree in economics, social sciences or equivalent relevant discipline.

Professional background:
Minimum of 5 years of experience ideally gained in banking, project financing or financial management in a financial institution, international organisation, development organisation, engineering/construction firm or a consulting firm.
Very good understanding of financial statements, capital market, lending practices and budget processes, good understanding/awareness of various aspects relevant for project assessment, such as technical requirements, sector knowledge, legal background, sensitiveness for risks, procurement rules.
Proficient level of financial technical writing and strong familiarity with development banking.
Direct experience in blending loans and grants as well as having worked in the field in one or more of CEB’s 23 Target Group countries in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe will be considered an asset.
Proven ability to manage and work independently as well as to lead and supervise third-party consultants is an asset.

Language skills:
Excellent command of one of the two CEB official languages (English and French), both oral and written, and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.
Excellent knowledge of other languages of CEB member states is an asset.

Core competencies:
Adaptability
Client Orientation
Communication
Innovation
Result Orientation
Team Work

Nationality:
Citizen of one of the Bank’s Member States: Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and Ukraine.

Location : 55, avenue Kléber 75116 Paris