The European Investment Fund (EIF) is seeking to recruit for its Secretariat General (SG) - Governance Division - Executive Governance Unit at its headquarters in Luxembourg, a (Senior) Officer - Executive Governance*. This is a full-time position (travel required) at grade 4/5 for which the EIF offers permanent contract.

• internal benchmark: (Senior) Officer

This is a generic campaign in the view of both current and possible future vacancies.
Panel interviews via video-conference are anticipated for November/December 2024
Purpose
Part of the EIB Group, the mission of the European Investment Fund (EIF) is to improve access to finance for SMEs and small mid-caps in Europe. We do this by supporting emerging and established fund managers with equity investments and by designing debt financing instruments that share the risk taken by financial institutions when they lend to or invest in small businesses. We bring this support closer to entrepreneurs through our extensive network of partners and financial intermediaries in all EU Member States and associated countries.
The Executive Governance Unit is part of the Governance Division, within the Secretariat General of the EIF.
The Governance Division is in charge of advising on corporate governance matters and providing organisational/advisory support to EIF’s governing bodies (Chief Executive / Deputy Chief Executive, Board of Directors, Audit Board and General Meeting), as well as senior management committees, including the Executive and Senior Management Committee (ESMC).
The role encompasses a special focus on executive-level advising and interdepartmental collaboration, actioning work independently, as well as bringing urgent matters to the Head of Unit attention. The position also entails preparation and coordination of background assessment materials for the CE and DCE and drafting of speeches. The role requires ability to work in a fast-paced and high-demanding environment, adapting to changing priorities and delivering towards strict deadlines without compromising quality.
The role demands innovative thinking and skilful conflict resolution. Additionally, it necessitates contributing to an engaging environment, building trust through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Successful candidates should showcase collaborative and interpersonal abilities with strong drafting, editorial, and presentation skills.
Operating network

• Report to the Head of the Executive Governance Unit.
  
• Collaborate closely with the other officers and team members of the Governance Division, in particular the Board of Directors and Audit Board Units.
  
• Cooperate closely with the CE/DCE assistants, and if required, with the EIF Chief of Staff.
  
• Liaise with EIF Senior Management, as well as relevant EIF Services.
  
• Collaborate closely with relevant EIB counterparts, in particular in the Governing Bodies Department within the General Secretariat, as needed.
  

Responsibilities
At a level commensurate with your experience and seniority, you will:

• Under the supervision of the Head of Unit, provide effective day-to-day support to the CE and DCE.
  
• Assist, as needed, in the drafting of Board briefings in coordination with the Board of Directors Unit, including ensure that all documents are made available to CE/DCE ahead of the Board meetings.
  
• Coordinate with relevant colleagues and provide advisory support, such as draft and review briefings, speeches, and topical notes prepared by the services for the CE/DCE in the context of CE/DCE’s missions and participation to meetings, events, and panels.
  
• Advise EIF Services on daily requests in relation to the relevant processes applicable to CE/DCE’s consultation on strategic matters.
  
• Assist in organizing ESMC and other senior management committee meetings managed by the Unit, including preparing agendas, distributing materials within relevant deadlines, and overseeing meeting logistics.
  
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of ESMC and other senior management committee meetings, ensuring all decisions and action points are thoroughly documented and properly stored through minutes, summaries, and action point logs.
  
• Contribute to strengthening EIF’s governance framework by proposing and implementing improvements to existing processes, policies, and procedures based on best practices.
  
• Promote good communication, a friendly and welcoming working environment within the Unit and the department and ensure effective cooperation as well as dissemination of information and knowledge sharing.
  
• Show proactivity and availability/eagerness to assist with projects that fall outside the remit of the Unit.

Qualifications

• University degree, preferably at postgraduate level, in a relevant field (e.g., business administration, law, political sciences, finance) or equivalent qualification.
  
• At least three (3) years (after having obtained your initial university diploma) relevant professional experience and no more than five (5) years of relevant work experience, with an emphasis on previous experience with institutional, corporate and/ policy matters.
  
• Excellent drafting, editorial, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
  
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, coupled with good organizational abilities.
  
• Knowledge of EIF procedures, statutory and operational framework would be an advantage.
  
• Fluency in English and very good knowledge of at least one further EU working language. Knowledge of other languages would be an advantage.
  

Competencies

• Strong analytical and drafting skills;
  
• Good interpersonal skills for dealing with internal and external contacts;
  
• Willingness to quickly learn risk metrics in the context of investments in EIF’s business lines;
  
• Ability to manage conflicting deadlines;
  
• Sense of initiative and innovation in proposing solutions;
  
• Outstanding judgment;
  
• Team player.
  

Deadline for applications: 1 November 2024
Applications of women and/or candidates from countries under-represented in EIF (DEU, NLD, POL, DNK, SWE, AUT, CZR) are encouraged. We are an equal opportunities employer, who believes that diversity is good for our people and our business. We encourage all suitably qualified and eligible candidates to apply regardless of their gender identity/expression, age, racial, ethnic, and cultural background, religion and beliefs, sexual orientation/identity, disability or neurodiversity.
Applicants with specific needs are encouraged to request reasonable accommodations at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact the EIF Recruitment team Recruitment@eif.org who will ensure that your request is handled.
By applying for this position, you acknowledge the importance of maintaining the security and integrity of the Information of the EIB Group. In case of selection for the position you agree to comply with all measures (policies, controls, document classification and management) implemented by the EIB Group to prevent unauthorized disclosure of any information or any damage to the EIB Group reputation.
Candidates are informed that pre-employment integrity screening is an integral part of the EIF recruitment process.

• Due to high volume of applications, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.