External Action Policy Officer at European Investment Bank (EIB)

Purpose

• The External Action Policy Officer will support the EIB operations in East Africa and will work within a team of international and national personnel located both in Nairobi and at the EIB’s headquarters in Luxembourg.
• The External Action Policy Officer will (i) proactively advise and provide professional support to the Head of the Regional Hub for East Africa, in order to assist him/her in fulfilling his/her role ii) support the development of high-level relations with international financial and other institutions based in the region; (iii)  support the relationship and communication with local authorities as well as local economic actors on issues of common interest; (iv) promote the EIB  as the Bank of the EU; (v)  promote the EIB as a potential partner of regional stakeholders investing in EIB countries of operation.
• The External Action Policy Officer will report to the Head of the Regional Hub for East Africa. S/he will coordinate and cooperate with colleagues working in the Regional Hub for East Africa in Nairobi and with Luxembourg-based teams, in particular with the team of External Action Policy Officers in the External Action Representation (EAR) Division.

Accountabilities

• Proactively advise and provide professional support to the Head of the Regional Hub for East Africain order to assist him/her in fulfilling his/her role; this includes:
• Support to representing and promoting the EIB and protect its Interests, as an integral instrument of EU External Action;
• Under the guidance of Head of Hub, identify and gather Bank-relevant insights and information and contribute to the drafting of various documents such as briefing material, reports, memoranda, speeches, presentations, notes internal and external newsletters, and confidential internal memos (Privileged Insights)
• Support the Head of Hub in the exercise of his duties, by advising him on topical issues, as well as business and strategic relations;
• Upon request of the Head of Hub, intervene in meetings or events both inside and outside the Bank
• Produce and maintain Country Reports and briefings for internal use for the countries in the East Africa region
• Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge of the political, operational, institutional, economic, social and cultural dimension of the countries under the responsibility of the Head of  Hub
• Share own specialised knowledge and experience with other members of the team, producing and delivering presentations, workshops and training seminars and materials in alignment with the EIB Group’s communication strategy and under the guidance of the Communication department, support the (head of the) regional representation’s communication and visibility activities.
• Collaborate with the global team of External Action Policy Officers in the External Action Representation (EAR) division, based in Luxembourg, and in other locations, etc.
• Help develop and maintain a regular relationship with development partners, by proactively liaising with them and producing regular reports on the status of such relations for the Head of Hub
• In close cooperation with the Head of the Hub, network with local authorities and with local bilateral and multilateral institutions, commercial banks, and other partners
• Track the delivery of political, strategic, business and organisational priorities of EIB in the region
• Support the Head of Hub in the organisation of high-level business visits to the countries under responsibility (members of the Management Committee, members of senior management of the Bank, European Officials, etc).

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant business-related discipline or equivalent qualification, preferably in international relations
• Minimum of 5 years' relevant experience, ideally 8, in roles such as, for example:   policy officer, policy analyst, communication officer or relationship manager
• Proven experience in research, analysis and report writing
• Familiarity with the work of International Financial Institutions would be advantageous
• Very good knowledge of and work experience in specific country(ies) related to the post and strong understanding of the geopolitical and economic situation in the East Africa region
• Multi-country working experience in the region would be an advantage;
• Solid acumen in institutional affairs and policy analysis
• Experience in dealing with sensitive and complex issues
• Strong diplomatic and communication skills are essential
• Proactive and able to work independently
• Knowledge of the standard IT office tools (Word, Excel, Power point)
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English. Working knowledge of French would be advantageous