The EIB, the European Union's bank, is seeking to recruit for its Secretariat General (SG) - Advisory Services Department (AS) - European PPP Expertise Centre Division (EPEC) at its headquarters in Luxembourg, a:
Research Officer
This is a full time position at grade 4/5
The term of this contract is 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 anticipated for mid – September 2018
Purpose
The European Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Expertise Centre (EPEC) is an initiative of the European Investment Bank (EIB), involving EU Member States, Candidate States and other specified states and the European Commission. EPEC is a membership based expertise network and an integral part of the EIB’s Advisory Services[1]. As such, this post is an excellent opportunity for someone who wishes to be part of an emerging pan-European strategic policy area, focusing specifically on European PPPs.
The role of Research Officer (internally referred to as (Associate) Officer) will support the delivery of EPEC’s network activities, policy and upstream project-related bilateral advisory services to its Members, the activities of the Bank and the implementation of EU policies and programmes with regard to PPPs and complex infrastructure. This is a new position in which you are expected to improve and develop EPEC’s research capability to collect, synthesise and disseminate the outcome of research studies across a range of PPP and infrastructure topics. This will contribute to both EPEC’s Member-based network activities and its bilateral advisory assignments.
Operating Network
Responding to and interacting with a number of external parties, EPEC is an outward-facing team. As such, the majority of EPEC’s work is delivered on behalf of its Members and other public sector entities (such as procuring authorities) that request PPP and related advisory support, including those seeking advice through the European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH) one of the pillars of the Investment Plan for Europe.
Formally reporting to the Head of EPEC, you will join a team of PPP advisers and EPEC’s Business Analyst to develop a research function in support of EPEC’s activities. You will work closely with and, at times, provide cover for EPEC’s Business Analyst. Cooperation with different parts of the EIB is critical to the continued success of EPEC and to the delivery of advisory services. As such, you will build effective working relationships with colleagues elsewhere in the EIB, as well as in EPEC Member countries.
Responsibilities
You will be responsible for the development and delivery of EPEC’s research function, an important support to the success of its work programme. In particular, you will:
- Develop, lead and act as the main resource for EPEC’s systematic research function working under general supervision
- Take a dedicated role in building and delivering research outputs in support of EPEC’s thematic studies and bilateral PPP policy and project-related advisory work
- Contribute to EPEC’s positioning (internal and external) and reputation building by designing and delivering robust research that underpins its activities
- Support EPEC advisers to select appropriate research approaches to address the issues they identify in their work, as well as propose research activities to support EPEC’s mission, work plan and partners
- Interpret and share research findings through the preparation/drafting of appropriate reports on PPP/infrastructure related topics (publications, technical papers, policy papers, presentations, notes)
- Act as an internal adviser and information provider to the EPEC team, contributing to the relevance and rigour of EPEC activities and outputs
- Plan and manage PPP/infrastructure research independently, but in close collaboration with the Head of Division and/or designated EPEC advisers, as well as work with, coordinate and supervise external consultants as required
- Cooperate with a wide range of partners, including EPEC Members, EIB colleagues and the European PPP/infrastructure market
Qualifications
- University degree(s) in Economics, Statistics, Operational Research or a relevant related field, preferably at postgraduate level (e.g. Masters, PhD)
- At least five years professional experience in relevant fields, including exposure to financial, economic, technical and legal aspects of PPPs and complex infrastructure projects
- Prior experience in the area of applied research and market analysis, including in the context of infrastructure investment and PPPs
- Strong research competencies, skills in quantitative and qualitative analyses, including in identifying and sourcing relevant material/data, know-how of relevant statistical methods and their practical application, as well as relevant statistical software (e.g. SPSS, Stata, MATLAB)
- A deep understanding of the political, institutional and operational framework in which the EIB operates, its mission, activities and processes, as well as Advisory Services’ contribution to these
- Excellent written and spoken English is required, a good command of French (*) would be an advantage, knowledge of other EU languages would be an asset
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A high level of proficiency in MS Office Tools (Word, Excel, Power-point) is vital
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: 13th August 2018
(*). We particularly welcome applications from women and persons with disabilities.
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