The (Associate) Loan Officer carries out EIB public sector operations in Eastern and Southern Africa in order to finance projects that support EU development and cooperation policies outside the European Union taking end to end responsibility for their identification, appraisal, negotiation, approval and follow-up, up to and including first disbursement.
You will provide input to and implement the strategy for EIB public sector operations and country relations in assigned countries, in line with International Partners (IP) Department objectives and guidelines. You will maintain EIB Global’s relations with a range of partners and counterparts including support to high-level meetings. You will contribute to maintaining appropriate visibility of EIB Global’s activities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Operating Network:
This post will be linked to the Unit covering operations and countries in Eastern-and Southern Africa but may according to the needs, cover any activity of the Division within its Sub-Saharan Africa wide action radius. The job will request full flexibility to travel and operate in different countries in the area.
Accountabilities:
Transaction origination process:
Track developments and monitor his/her target market,
Develop and maintain relationships with a network of promoters, borrowers and other (financial) institutions
Screen proposals and identify lending opportunities that best meet EIB objectives
Lending process:
Evaluate, at an early stage, the quality of potential projects and their chance of success, including as appropriate consultation in particular with the Projects Directorate (PJ), Compliance Directorate (OCCO), Risk Management (RM) and Legal (JU)
Evaluate the project and credit risk of proposed operations including leading and coordinating the work of external advisers and the EIB project team
Lead and coordinate the lending process in cooperation with other Divisions and Directorates, prepare reports and lending proposals in cooperation with the appraisal team and be responsible for the approval process on selected operations
Negotiate terms and conditions of loan and other project documentation in coordination JU and other services
Disbursement and monitoring:
Lead the disbursement process and fulfilment of contractual conditions, in coordination with the Implementation Team. Follow-up developments of the project, in coordination with relevant services, in particular PJ, OCCO, RM, and the Portfolio Management and Monitoring Team (PMM)
Evaluate the needs for ancillary instruments, including blending with investment grants and technical assistance, and carry out the preparation, approval and implementation of such instruments in coordination with colleagues in the Bank, EU Delegations and DG INTPA
Carry out due diligence and, in the event of any restructuring and/or contractual modifications prior to first disbursement, conduct negotiations in liaison with RM, PMM and JU in order to maintain the quality of the loan portfolio and ensure the effective implementation of the financed project
Optimization of operating tools and working methods:
Innovate and suggest improvements to existing tools, systems and products in response to changes in the operational framework
Ensure correct input of data relating to own area of activity into the management information system in order to contribute to the continuous improvement of working methods and development of products
Share his/her own information and experience in the management of lending operations with other members of the team in order to enlarge the knowledge and competencies of the team
Value added, cost management and return on operations:
Ensure the quality and overall value added of lending operations; make sure that the financial terms set by the Bank match the risk profile and the type of operation, in order to protect the Bank's interest and ensure that operations are as cost efficient as possible in the given context and provide for the risk on an overall basis
Communication and high-level relations with partners:
Produce relevant information documents in the form of briefings and data to support EIB Global management discussions with external counterparts and high-level meetings
Contribute to external communications such as press releases, speeches, external reports about the area of activity
EU Programming Process and implementation:
As needed, constructive dialogue with the EU Delegations, DG INTPA, the EEAS
Qualifications:
University degree (minimum an equivalent to a Bachelor) in Finance, Economics or a business-related discipline
Minimum three years of relevant professional experience in the banking, financial or development sector
Good knowledge of financial analysis as well as proven experience in credit risk assessment and interpretation of legal documentation.
Experience in working with (sub-Saharan) Africa would be a strong advantage
Good knowledge of processes and procedures related to the administration, control and monitoring of lending operations
Knowledge and work experience with Development Finance would be an advantage
Good understanding of financial products (equity, loan, guarantees)
Good understanding of the EU policy strategy in sub-Saharan Africa, EU actions/activities in the region and the EC budgetary process would be an advantage
Good inter-personal, communication and representational/diplomatic skills
Good knowledge of standard computer tools
Excellent knowledge of English and/or French, with a good command of the other. Knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset.
