Country Manager

CEB
- Council of Europe Development Bank Paris A2 – A3 level Speaks English, French

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 added-value criteria, while ensuring sound environmental and governance standards, and provides technical assistance. In addition, the CEB receives donor funds to complement specific projects and strengthen their social impact.

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 institutionsand contribute to the objectives of the Bank’s Strategic Framework. Under the general guidance of the Head of the Projects 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 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.
• Analyse the relevant technical, managerial, financial, environmental and social aspects of projects.
• Coordinate preparation and implementation of projects: elaborate financing proposals; draft documents related to the preparation of projects for the CEB’s internal committees; negotiate contracts and draft legal documentation; manage disbursements; coordinate with the Divisions and Units in charge of technical and financial monitoring of projects within the Project Team.
• Draft and present project reports for the attention of CEB’s Administrative Council.
• Represent the CEB at events such as workshops and conferences related to CEB’s sectors of activity and interest.
• Manage consultants as needed, including identification of needs, elaboration of terms of reference and internal documents related to the consultancy assignments, coordination of the selection process, negotiation of contracts and monitoring of consultants’ activities.
• Contribute to horizontal tasks related to the project cycle, or other duties related to activities of the Projects Division, e.g. contribution to strategic documents, working groups.

PROFILE

Academic background:

• A university degree, preferably at postgraduate level, in economics, business or public administration, finance, 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.
• 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, E