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 Executive Office (EO) provides support to the CEB’s internal governance and identifies strategic development and business transformation opportunities to broaden the CEB’s strategic perspectives and ensure a better delivery of its mandate. It supports the Governor in his leadership role, coordinates with Appointed Officials (the Governor and Vice-Governors), and liaises with the Secretariat of the Partial Agreement of the Council of Europe and the Bank’s collegial organs.
The European Relations Unit (ERU) within the Executive Office promotes the CEB’s role and positioning as a European development bank with a unique social mandate in its relations with the European Union, and acts as a contact point between the CEB and the European development bank networks, including the European Long-Term Investors Association (ELTI).
The European Relations Unit is seeking a Head to lead and manage the Unit to strengthen the CEB’s institutional relations with the European Union institutions and maintain effective relations with the European development Bank networks. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief of Staff.
FUNCTIONS
Main Responsibilities:
- Monitor and assess developments in the European Union on matters relevant to the Bank, and represent the Bank in policy meetings, committees and conferences in order to promote the CEB’s mandate.
- Advise the Chief of Staff and relevant Directors on the management of strategic institutional relationships with European institutions.
- Maintain close relationships with policy and operational counterparts in European institutions, in particular the European Commission Directorates-General, to promote the CEB’s interests and support cooperation on issues linked to the CEB’s mandate.
- Act as the Bank’s contact point with the European Commission services, on political and overall coordination maters, and ensure effective coordination with the relevant CEB teams.
- Work in close cooperation with the CEB’s operational teams to maximise the benefits of European Union financing, instruments and regulatory frameworks for the CEB’s activities, and coordinate the CEB’s position on relevant policy and funding matters.
- Act as the Bank’s contact point for European development bank networks, including the European Long-Term Investors Association (ELTI).
- Coordinate the preparation of meetings and bilateral exchanges between the Governor, the Vice-Governors and CEB’s senior management and their counterparts in the European Union institutions.
- Lead and manage the European Relations team, including objective setting, performance management, workload planning, staff development and the delivery of activities within agreed deadlines and budgets.
- Foster effective internal communication, teamwork, knowledge sharing and equal opportunities in a respectful, inclusive and diverse working environment.
- Develop and maintain professional networks to remain informed about policy developments and best practices, and also identify opportunities relevant to the Bank’s mandate and activities.
PROFILE
Academic background:
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent), in European studies, international relations, political science, economics, public policy, or another field relevant to European institutional affairs and development finance.
Professional background:
- Substantial professional experience, preferably acquired in international financial institutions, European Union institutions or bodies, or international organisations.
- Proven experience in building and nurturing partnerships and coalitions, including with European Union institutions, supported by a well-developed senior-level network.
- Strong political judgement and senior-level credibility in institutional relationship management.
- Proven experience in developing advocacy strategies.
- Excellent people management skills, with the ability to motivate staff, foster cooperation and build an inclusive, respectful and results-oriented team culture.
- Strong writing skills to draft clear, concise and convincing presentations, speeches and documents.
- Strong capacity to communicate, listen actively, negotiate, find compromises and influence others into action.
- Proficiency in the use of standard office and collaboration software, including MS Office, Teams and similar tools.
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.
Core competencies:
- Adaptability
- Client Orientation
- Communication
- Innovation
- Result Orientation
- Teamwork
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 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:
- Grade A4/A5
- Depending on level of experience, monthly salary range starts between 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)
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:
- 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 31 August 2026.
Applications from internal candidates should be made using the career site available in Atlas before midnight Paris time on 31 August 2026.
