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.

TheEnvironmental and Social Sustainability, Climate Change Unit (ESS), within the Technical Assessment & Monitoring Directorate (TAM), brings together TAM’s cross-sector expertise on policies, standards and best practices in project due diligence in these fields. The Unit undertakes the environmental and social due diligence as an integral part of the Bank’s project appraisal process. It supports the decision-making process as to whether the Bank should provide financing and, if so, how the Bank expects the Borrower to address E&S risk. The Unit also develops and leads the definition on the Bank’s Environmental and Social Safeguards policy (ESSP), relevant CEB-wide approaches in the ESS fields, as well as the related standards, guidelines, due diligence practices, analytical and guidance tools.

The TAM Directorate of the Council of Europe Development Bank is looking for an intern for its ESS Unit within its Technical Advisors (TA) Division. S/he will report to the Head of Environmental and Social Sustainability – Climate Changeand work in close collaboration with colleagues in ESS Unit and Technical Advisors Division.

FUNCTIONS

Main Responsibilities:

Development of Policies and procedures (60%)

• Contribute to the development of the ESS policy update currently undertaken by the Unit, notably with the documentation of the process, coordination activities, support with the review of documentation.
• Contribute under the responsibility of the Head of Environmental and Social Sustainability – Climate Change, the update of the operational procedures of the ESS Unit, notably in the internal coordination, drafting, proposing enhancement and streamlining of procedures.
• Contribute to meetings with internal stakeholders to present the new Policy and Standards, notably on the organization of meetings, preparation of the presentations and necessary documentation, drafting of minutes

Project work (40%)

• Contribute and participate in project appraisal of operations to identify and assess social and environmental risks and impacts, to achieve compliance with the Bank’s ESS policy, notably through the preparation of specific assessments and documentation on social and environmental safeguards in countries of operations, sectors and specific projects.
• Contribute and participate to the monitoring of social and environmental safeguards of projects during implementation. Notably, analyse the portfolio from the ESS angle to identify risks and specific needs for monitoring, with a view to enhance internal procedures linked to monitoring and follow up activities of the Unit.

PROFILE

Academic background:

• Graduated within the past 24 months or currently enrolled in the final academic year at an institute of higher education (ideally at a Master’s level or equivalent).
• Studies insocial studies, political sciences, community development, planning, applied economics, law or related discipline.

Professional background and skills:

• Strong analytical, reasoning, communication skills and ability to write in a well-structured, concise and persuasive manner on technical issues.
• Ability to handle multiple, simultaneous and shifting demands and assignments, priorities and deadlines.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills and commitment to work in a team-oriented and multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to deliver high quality and timely outputs.

Applicants to the CEB Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience, but any experience relevant to the role would constitute an advantage.

Language skills: Excellent command of one of the two CEB official languages (English and French), both oral and written. Working knowledge of the other one is desirable.

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, Ukraine.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

Internship duration: The selected candidate will undertake an internship for the duration of 6 months, starting in February 2026. Some flexibility regarding the starting date can be granted to match the Intern’s schedule/requirements of their academic institution.

Internship allowance: lnterns at the CEB are paid 1 800 € per month as a flat-rate indemnity to contribute towards living costs, public transportation and accommodation. Travel expenses or other costs are not met by the Bank. Please kindly be aware that obtaining any necessary visa is the sole responsibility of the intern.

Admission to an internship does not confer on the intern the status of a CEB staff member, nor does it confer any entitlement to subsequent appointment on a permanent or temporary basis.

RECRUITMENT CONDITIONS

The CEB welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of CEB member countries.

The CEB rigorously applies the principle of equal pay for equivalent work. We are committed to workplace gender equality and strive to ensure the recruitment of suitably qualified and experienced staff without regard to their gender, as well as their age, racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation/identity, or disability. In line with peer international financial institutions, the CEB is EDGE certified (Move level), having demonstrated its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and have been assessed against the highest global standards.

In order to minimise bias, our selection processes include steps such as digitally recorded interviews, written tests and interactive interviews. Please note that initial steps in the selection process will typically be conducted online (remotely).

Applications from CEB member countriescandidates should be made in English or French using the Bank's online application system at https://jobs.coebank.org before midnight Paris time on  09/11/2025.