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Country Manager

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, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe (Member countries | CEB).
  • Very good understanding of project and borrower (financial statements) analysis and lending and negotiation practices, good understanding/awareness of various aspects relevant for project due diligence, such as technical requirements, sector knowledge, legal background, awareness of risks, capital markets, budgeting processes and procurement rules.
  • Proficient level of financial technical writing and strong familiarity with development banking.
  • Proven ability to manage and work independently as well as to lead and supervise third-party consultants is an asset.

 

Language skills:

  • Excellent command of one of the two CEB official languages (English and French), both oral and written, and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.
  • Excellent knowledge of other languages of CEB member states is an asset.

 

Core competencies:

  • Adaptability
  • Client Orientation
  • Communication
  • Innovation
  • Result Orientation
  • Team Work

 

Nationality:

Citizen of one of the Bank’s Member States: Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and Ukraine

 

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

 

1) The CEB offers an initial 4-year appointment (including a one-year probationary period) with the possibility of renewal one or more times up to six years and of conversion into an indefinite-term contract.

 

2) Grade and salary:

  • A2 – A3
  • Depending on level of experience, monthly salary starts between 7,652.42 € and 9,442.63€, exempt of French income tax, plus allowances based on eligibility.
  • Appointment may be made at a lower grade, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.
  • Grades are established without any discrimination (including gender discrimination)

 

For more information, please consult the CEB Basic Salary Scale in section 5. Benefits of the CEB website

 

As an international financial institution, CEB remuneration is exempt of income tax in France. In addition, our offer includes allowances* and medical and personal insurance. Staff members benefit from a contributory pension plan which provides them with either a pension or a leaving allowance.

 

* Exact benefit package to be determined based on selected candidate’s personal situation:

• basic family allowance

• expatriation

• dependent child supplement

• additional dependent child supplement for a single-parent family

• supplement for a disabled and dependent parent

• supplements for a disabled or severely disabled child

• education allowance (children) for expatriate staff members

• installation allowance and reimbursement of travel and moving expenses

 

RECRUITMENT CONDITIONS

 

The CEB welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of CEB Member States.

 

The CEB rigorously applies the principle of equal pay for equivalent work. We are committed to workplace gender equality and strive to ensure the recruitment of suitably qualified and experienced staff without regard to their gender, as well as their age, racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation/identity, or disability. In line with peer international financial institutions, the CEB is EDGE certified (Move level), having demonstrated its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and have been assessed against the highest global standards.

 

Our selection process includes several steps conducted online, such as digitally recorded interviews, technical assignments and interactive panel interviews.

 

Applications (CV and cover letter) from CEB Member States candidates should be made in English or French using the Bank's online application system at CEB Careers before midnight Paris time on 13/09/2026.

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