The EIB, the European Union’s bank, is seeking for its Projects Directorate (PJ) - Environment and Sustainable Territorial Development Department (ETD) – Agribusiness and Rural Development Division (AGRUDEV), at its headquarters in Luxembourg, a:
(Senior)Agribusiness and Rural Development Specialist
This is a full time position in grade 5/6
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.
Panel interviews are participated for the beginning of August
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 operational policy formulation for the EIB to respond to EU policies.
Purpose
The sector specialist will provide technical advisory support to promoters with a view to deliver technically sound and bankable investment projects. Requests for this technical advisory support may be originated from the European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH) - http://www.eib.org/eiah/index.htm.
The sector specialist will also assess, within multi-disciplinary teams, the technical viability and environmental sustainability of projects in accordance with the EIB's procedures. Upon approval of these projects, s/he will also have an active role in the technical monitoring of the project until its completion.
Operating Network
The successful candidate will be part of the Environmental and Sustainable Territorial Development Department and will report to the Head of the Agribusiness and Rural Development Division. This Department focuses on supporting investments in the agribusiness, water, regional and urban development sectors. The Agribusiness and Rural Development division handles projects in the areas agriculture/horticulture, agri-food production, irrigation and other supporting industries, related commercial services (logistics, retail etc.), as well as the wider sector, including RDI in/and transformation of biomass, rural development, environmental and biodiversity issues.
Accountabilities
The agribusiness and rural development specialist will support potential promoters in setting up projects by providing advice on the full range of project-cycle related aspects, while also being involved in project appraisals and monitoring for projects under the responsibility of the Division when necessary. The candidate will focus on the following tasks:
- Deliver technical advisory services in support of projects and investments, as well as capacity building and horizontal matters (e.g. institutional frameworks, methodologies, good practice guides), in the field of agribusiness and rural development.
- Provide high quality project development support throughout all stages of the project cycle (from pre-feasibility to financing) in order to qualify for the Bank´s financing. Provide upstream or policy advice on market studies, sector strategies, and project screening when necessary.
- Prepare technical specifications for the procurement of consultants and supervise the intermediate and final deliverables of those consultants in the context of project development and implementation support.
- Carry out well-focused market gap analysis for technical advisory services for scaling up investment and EIB financing.
- Provide technical inputs to the reporting and monitoring on the achievements of the technical assistance delivered and to the preparation of the annual work programme of the EIAH.
- Ensure techno-economic assessment and monitoring, within multidisciplinary teams of investment projects and programmes, including compliance with EU and Bank's sectoral, environmental, social and procurement policies, to the required quality standards.
- Track the evolution of the agribusiness and rural development sector, including active representation at selected sectorial events, and liaise closely with EU institutions and international organizations on policy/sector questions.
- In the context of the assignments indicated above, cooperate closely with the EIAH, other advisory facilities or the Lending Directorate depending on the type and source of the technical assistance.
Qualifications
- A Masters or higher degree, in applied economics or bio-engineering.•
- A PhD in a relevant sector of responsibility (agriculture/horticulture, forestry and forest industries etc.) and/or concerning development economics (BA or similar qualification in natural science or engineering) would be an advantage.
- A minimum of 5 years practical experience in industry, research comprising innovative processes & production or consultancy including preparation and screening of feasibility and market studies, assessment of company strategies, profitability and risk analysis in a relevant sector.
- Practical experience gained within and outside the European Union; direct work experience in providing advisory services gained with a consultancy, corporate, research institute or financial institution will be an asset.
- Detailed knowledge of applied quantitative methods, cost benefit analysis, risk analysis and modelling/forecasting the impact of competition and policy framework changes on the economic and financial viability of long - term capital and Regional Development investment in private and public sectors.
- Solid IT skills such as excellent knowledge of standard and MS office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and knowledge of data analytics and experience in using big data bases.
- Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and/or French (*). Knowledge of another EU language 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
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 (*).
Deadline for applications:11th of July 2018
(*). We particularly welcome applications from women and persons with disabilities.
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