Communication Officer

Strategy and Corporate Centre (SCC) - Communication Department (COM) -
Public Information and Relations with Civil Society Division (CSO)

In the framework of the Bank’s transparency policy and in accordance with the Communication Action Plan as approved by the Management Committee, the successful candidate will:

• Proactively contribute to the EIB’s relations with Civil Society
• Provide information to public stakeholders about the Bank’s development, environmental, and social activities

In order to maintain and enhance the Bank’s reputation and accountability promoting thus its operational activities

The Communication Officer will report to the Head of the Public Information end Relations with Civil Society Division.

Main external contacts: Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs); think tanks; colleagues in other EU institutions and IFIs; and interested citizens.  In particular, contacts with CSOs will be numerous, also including missions, when the Communication Officer must be able to operate autonomously

In the framework of the numerous development projects undertaken by the EIB, covering in their vast majority sensitive issues, the Communication Officer contributes actively to the Bank’s transparency policy, ensuring the promotion and protection of the Bank’s operational activities and adherence to its institutional obligations
S/he deals with an important number of NGO/CSO contacts and queries from these organisations, covering specific development issues, as well as related environmental and social issues

• Pro-actively reach out to civil society in development countries and elsewhere, focusing on development issues. This includes developing networks with CSOs/NGOs
• Handle frequent complex requests for information on development and related environmental and social issues mostly from NGOs, including: 
  - Ensure the internal coordination of these requests with the Lending and Legal Departments, the Brussels Office and other external offices, as well as the Project Directorate as far as the technical content is concerned
  - Draft responses in line with the EIB’s policies
  - Ensure the coherence of the replies sent by the Bank
  - Ensure the respect of deadlines for replying to such requests
• Handle other complex requests for information from external stakeholders. This includes:
  - Ensure rapid and effective response to enquiries from the public
  - Determine the most suitable way for responding, and, if necessary, ensure the enquiry is directed to the competent office in EIB
  - Ensure written responses are well drafted and in particular consistent
  
• Daily monitoring high profile projects and development, environmental and social issues with reputation risk for the Bank because of considerable public concern and/or NGO campaigns  Internal coordination with other Bank Services on these projects
• Liaise with colleagues in other EU institutions and bodies, as well as IFIs and MDBs
• Draft Briefing Notes on such projects for internal purposes and, on the basis of these, Topical Project Briefs for the EIB website
• Actively participate in organising presentations in public on the EIB’s development operations and policies, as well as on other topics of interest to the Civil Society (in particular environmental and social issues)
• Stay abreast of developments in the NGO community, information exchange and cross-reference with the Bank’s strategies
  

• University degree, preferably in development economics, politics, international relations, social sciences, or public relations
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in an EU institution or IFI, corporate, or development NGO (or other CSO)  
• Good understanding of the Civil Society and knowledge of, at least, key development issues
• Knowledge of development economics, financial markets and the banking sector
• Understanding of the Bank’s operational activities
• Good knowledge of EU development policy, other relevant EU policies, such as environmental and social policies, and the EU’s institutional structure
• Thorough knowledge of standard office tools
• Fluent in English and/or French and a solid understanding of the other
  

• Excellent oral and written communication
• Analytical and result focused
• Organising and prioritising
• Ability to work under tight deadlines
• Diplomatic skills and integrity
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Team player
• Self-reliant and self-discipline
• Initiative