Economist at European Investment Bank (EIB)

Achievement Drive: Focuses on improving performance, 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;

Purpose

As an Economist, you will apply economic analysis and knowledge of the financial sector in East African countries to inform the Bank’s shape operational and strategic decisions.

Operating Network

The Economics Department provides impact-driven economic analysis to support the EIB in its operations, its global positioning and strategy and policy definition, both inside and outside the EU. It comprises three divisions - Economic Studies, Country and Financial Sector Analysis and Policy and Strategy and is part of the EIB's Secretariat General, responsible for the EIB's overall strategy formulation.

Specific Post Environment

You will work in a group of about 40 economists that are mostly based in Luxembourg, witin the Economic Department, and you will functionally report to the Head of Division of “Country and Financial Sector Analysis”. You will liaise on a regular basis with ECON colleagues working on Sub-Saharan African countries; communicate directly with Department management and EIB front-line staff, and external counterparts.

You will also be part of the Nairobi Hub team and support the EIB across all its activities in the Hub, working in close cooperation with colleagues working in Nairobi and Luxembourg. You will report to the Head of the Nairobi Hub for administrative and institutional matters.

You will carry out economic analysis on Kenya and East African countries contributing to the full suite of ECON products, ranging from sovereign and banking industry ratings to upstream macroeconomic analyses and contributing to the design and appraisal of EIB operations in East Africa. Your analytical, evidence-based work is aimed at further deepening the EIB’s understanding of the East Africa countries where it operates, strengthening the Bank’s strategic engagement on the field, via the Nairobi Hub, both at the operational level and in the dialogue with national authorities, EU counterparties, the international community and the private sector.

Accountabilities

• Identify clear links between economic analysis and operational and strategic priorities for the EIB in the East Africa context;
• Prepare economic and financial analyses on topics of relevance to the EIB (e.g. investment, investment finance, access to finance for SMEs, innovation and digitalisation, green finance etc);
• Contribute to the EIB flagship publications outside the EU (Finance in Africa and Enterprise Survey reports) with original research, including bank- and firm-level data;
• Participate in the drafting of key policy papers and reports for senior management and general use;
• Assess risk, by providing in -depth economic analysis of countries and financial sectors, under the region of own responsibility.
• Participate in the design and organisation of roundtables, conferences, seminars and events and support the dissemination of information inside and outside the Bank.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent degree in Economics or related field;
• Minimum 5 years of solid experience in macroeconomic and financial sector analysis, as well as applied economic research. Experience gained in the context of a granted PhD directly relevant to the role will be also considered.
• A solid knowledge of East Africa economies is essential to the job.
• Working experience with Central Banks and/or an international Financial Institutions will be considered a strong advantage.
• Broad knowledge of all of the most common areas of economics, including applied quantitative methods.
• Very good drafting and presentation skills in English, ability to communicate with clarity and concision.
• Excellent knowledge of English and/or French, with a good knowledge of the other.

Competencies & skills

• Achievement Drive: Focuses on improving performance, 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 with colleagues and 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 the EIB mission, open to diversity, and willing to align own behaviour with the organisation’s needs and intrinsic values, acting with integrity in ways that promote the organisation’s mission, policies and rules. Collaboration: Works cooperatively as part of a team with colleagues and 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 the EIB mission, open to diversity, and willing to align own behaviour with the organisation’s needs and intrinsic values, acting with integrity in ways that promote the organisation’s mission, policies and rules.