Location: Paris, France
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. 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 Unit is seeking a Head to lead and manage it, to strengthen the CEB's institutional relations with European Union institutions and maintain effective relations with the European development bank networks. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief of Staff.
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 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.
- Act as the Bank's contact point with the European Commission services on political and overall coordination matters.
- Work with the CEB's operational teams to maximise the benefits of European Union financing, instruments and regulatory frameworks.
- Act as the Bank's contact point for European development bank networks, including ELTI.
- Coordinate the preparation of meetings and bilateral exchanges between the Governor, Vice-Governors, senior management and their EU counterparts.
- Lead and manage the European Relations team, including objective setting, performance management, workload planning and staff development.
Profile:
- 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.
- 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, supported by a well-developed senior-level network; strong political judgement and senior-level credibility.
- Proven experience in developing advocacy strategies; excellent people management skills; strong writing, communication and negotiation skills.
- Excellent command of one of the two CEB official languages (English and French), both oral and written, and knowledge of the other.
- Nationality: Citizen of one of the Bank's Member States.
Employment conditions: Initial 4-year appointment (including one-year probationary period), renewable up to six years with possible conversion into an indefinite-term contract. Grade A4/A5; monthly salary range starts between 10,972.87 EUR and 12,707.11 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
Closing date: 31 August 2026
HOW TO APPLY:
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 (https://jobs.coebank.org/) 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. Candidates must be citizens of one of the Bank's Member States.
https://jobs.coebank.org/job/Paris-Head-of-European-Relations/1361855255/