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Principal Country Manager

 

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) is a multilateral development bank with an exclusively social mandate from its 43 member countries. The CEB finances investment and provides technical assistance in social sectors such as education, health and affordable housing, while focusing on the needs of vulnerable people, as well as on the social dimensions of climate change and the environment.

 

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 in the Loans & Social Development Directorate (L&D), is looking for an experienced Principal Country Manager to head a unit of Country Managers and support staff to drive implementation of the Bank’s loan and project financing policy and contribute to the objectives of the Bank’s strategic framework. Reporting to the Head of L&D-Projects, 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

 

Main Responsibilities:

 

  • Manage, motivate and guide a team of Country Managers and support staff.
  • Ensure effective collaboration within the team. Elaborate the individual operational objectives and monitor their achievements (periodic appraisal) in line with the Bank’s Strategic Framework, L&D objectives, and the CEB prudential and financial ratios.
  • Proactively support the development and ensure harmonisation of the quality of the Unit’s approach to pipeline generation, project appraisal and implementation, including documentation.
  • Work with a team of Country Managers to ensure rigour in project registration, preparation and disbursement planning. Carry out site visits to facilitate CEB access to projects or improve their implementation.
  • Manage the designated portfolio of projects and their agenda. Coordinate and ensure project development during the project cycle and review documents, anticipate and reduce the impact of arising problems during the project cycle.
  • Coach Country Managers and foster knowledge sharing horizontally on experiences of complex structures, counterparties or issues.
  • Optimise internal cooperation within the Division and with other CEB services on related tasks.
  • Respond to transversal tasks related to the Projects Division’s daily activities such as planning of activities, update and/or elaboration of Procedures, follow-up of Ex-Post recommendations, Communication.
  • Contribute to strategic debates regarding L&D activities and the CEB Strategic Framework through participation in internal meetings and/or elaborate proposals on strategic documents.
  • Respond to other requests related to the Projects Division’s objectives and represent the Head of Division in committees or other internal coordination meetings, upon request or in her/his absence.

 

PROFILE

 

Academic background:

  • Advanced University degree in economics, finance, business administration, STEM, social sciences or equivalent

 

Professional background:

  • Minimum of 10 to 15 years’ experience in banking, project financing or financial management in a financial institution, international organisation, development organisation, or a consulting firm.
  • Very good understanding of financial statements, capital markets, lending practices and budget processes, good understanding/awareness of various aspects relevant for project assessment, such as technical requirements, sector knowledge, legal background, sensitiveness for risks, procurement rules, etc.
  • Proficient level of financial technical writing and familiarity with development banking.
  • International political, economic, social, and cultural awareness; understands the regional context of his/her assigned countries (political and economic situation, institutional and administrative organisation, constitutional and public law).
  • Organisational awareness: understands the CEB’s mandate, project and loan policy and related frameworks, conventions, regulations, reporting obligations, disbursement conditions.
  • Proven experience in successfully managing project teams is essential. Experience in direct people management and achieving defined objectives would be 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.
  • Knowledge of one or more other Member State language(s) is an asset.

 

Core competencies:

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

 

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

 

1) Initial 4-year contract (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:

  • A4/A5
  • Depending on level of experience, monthly salary range starts 10.972,87 EUR and 12.707,11 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
  • 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* based on family / personal situation, 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 removal 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 25 January 2026.

 

Applications from internal candidates should be made using the career site available in Atlas before midnight Paris time on 25 January 2026.

 

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