Transport Engineer at European Investment Bank (EIB)

Job description

This is a fulltime position, linked to the Cotonou Partnership

The term of this contract will run until 31st December 2020

The EIB offers fixed-term contracts under local conditions, with a possibility to convert to a permanent contract according to business needs, subject to the extension of the mandate covering the Region, organisational requirements and individual performance.

Purpose

The Transport Engineer will assist in EIB investment and technical assistance operations in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on East and West Africa. The position is based in the EIB’s Regional Office in Nairobi; however, the successful candidate must be prepared to travel extensively within the East and West Africa region, and to other counties as needed. The duties will be performed in close cooperation with the EIB’s operational and technical departments concerned, including those based at the Headquarters in Luxembourg. He/she will work within multi-disciplinary teams on the preparation, appraisal, implementation and monitoring of projects in accordance with EIB procedures.

Operating network

• The Transport Engineer will report to the Head of the Regional Transport Programmes’ Division in Luxembourg and work closely with other professional staff of the Mobility Department, and Bank staff as appropriate, especially those in the Lending Directorate and Advisory Services Department and other colleagues in the Nairobi office. Day to day management in Nairobi will be under the Head of the Nairobi office while operational and technical guidance will be provided by PJ, in close cooperation with the ACP Coordinator and the Local Agent based in South Africa.
• Projects would predominantly be in the transport sector. The Transport Engineer may occasionally need to complement other staff based in the Nairobi office, as a point of technical contact for other sectors.
• Under the supervision of the Luxembourg based Head of Division and “project team leaders”, the Transport Engineer would work across the whole project cycle, with a focus on implementation, monitoring and works completion stages, but also be involved in origination and structuring as well as project implementation advisory support.

Accountabilities

• Analyse the technical, environmental and social as well as financial and economic aspects of project proposals with a view to developing business and early screening of projects.
• Where appropriate, interact with project promoters and other relevant stakeholders, in close cooperation and with full involvement of the operational and technical departments concerned and local office staff.
• Advise and follow up on procurement processes and other processes such as those pertaining to environmental and social issues, as needed.
• Monitor project implementation as necessary.
• Assist in the management of Technical Assistance operations involving the services of external consultants.
• Follow and support the development of the transport sector in the Sub-Saharan region, with an emphasis on East and West Africa, and prepare briefings on key issues and strategic developments relevant for the Bank.
• Where required, build relations with key external parties (e.g. international financing institutions, government representatives, local authorities, other institutions, etc).
• Represent the EIB at events, for example regular sector meetings, conferences or meetings with International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
• Provide input to monitoring reports, project completion reports and project briefings to management

Qualifications and experience

• University degree in engineering or economics in relevant fields for the type of projects concerned in this post;
• At least 5 years of experience with planning and implementation of transport projects and policy;
• Multi-country working experience in particular in the Sub-Saharan Africa region would be an advantage;
• Experience with evaluating proposals to finance projects;
• Familiarity with the work of International Financial Institutions would be advantageous
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English;
• Fluency in French would be a very distinct advantage

Competencies & skills

• 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.