Associate Sector Specialist – Critical Raw Materials

Job Posting Organization:
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the lending arm of the European Union and is the largest multilateral financial institution in the world. Established in 1958, the EIB aims to support the EU's policy objectives by providing financing for projects that contribute to the integration, balanced development, and economic and social cohesion of the EU member states. The EIB operates in over 160 countries and employs around 3,000 staff members, working in a truly international and multicultural environment. The bank focuses on various sectors, including infrastructure, innovation, and climate action, and is committed to sustainable development and the promotion of European values.

Job Overview:
The Associate Sector Specialist – Critical Raw Materials position at the EIB is a full-time role based at the bank's headquarters in Luxembourg. The successful candidate will join the Projects Directorate, specifically within the Innovation and Competitiveness Department, focusing on the Innovation Supply Chain and Process Industries Division. This role is crucial for supporting investments that enhance Europe’s industrial competitiveness and resilience, particularly in the mining and metals refining sectors. The Associate Sector Specialist will be responsible for conducting due diligence and appraisals of projects, ensuring they meet technical, environmental, social, financial, and economic viability standards. The position offers an opportunity to engage with various stakeholders, including public authorities and EU institutions, and to contribute to the EIB's strategic objectives in critical raw materials.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Associate Sector Specialist will carry out a range of duties, including:

• Contributing to the technical, economic, and financial assessment of investment projects in mining, metals refining, and related industries.
• Evaluating the strategic consistency and commercial viability of projects, ensuring they align with EIB standards and policy objectives.
• Supporting the origination and early screening of investment opportunities in collaboration with the Lending Directorate.
• Working with multidisciplinary project teams to appraise projects under consideration for EIB financing, identifying key risks and providing evidence-based conclusions.
• Preparing appraisal reports and technical opinions for submission to the EIB’s governing bodies.
• Monitoring project implementation and contributing to final evaluations and follow-up actions.
• Providing Technical Assistance to project promoters and sponsors, including preparing Terms of Reference for consultancy services.
• Preparing high-quality final reports for stakeholders in accordance with cooperation agreements.
• Contributing to sector, policy, and methodology papers related to critical raw materials. 1
• Supporting the EIB’s representation at sector events and engaging with external actors.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s in Engineering, Science, Economics, Finance, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in minerals, metals, critical raw materials, or related process industries is required. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of industrial project analysis, including technical, economic, financial, environmental, social, and commercial aspects relevant to the mining and metals refining sectors. Strong analytical skills, the ability to translate complex information into clear conclusions, and effective communication and collaboration skills are essential. Candidates should also be able to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and engage constructively with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree, at least at the level of a Bachelor’s degree, in fields such as Engineering, Science, Economics, or Finance. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of the projects the EIB finances and for contributing effectively to the assessment and appraisal processes.

Experience:
The position requires at least three years of relevant professional experience in areas related to minerals, metals, critical raw materials, or other process industries. Candidates with experience in industrial project analysis, finance, or consultancy, particularly those who have worked on technology, market, and environmental analysis, will be particularly well-suited for this role. Experience in applied quantitative methods and economic and financial modeling is also advantageous.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, and a good command of French is also required, as both languages are official working languages of the EIB. Candidates who possess knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese will have an advantage, although these are not mandatory requirements. The ability to communicate effectively in these languages is essential for collaboration and engagement with stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role with a contract duration of three years. The EIB is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their background. The bank offers relocation support for candidates moving to Luxembourg and provides appropriate training support for language proficiency. The EIB values the security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and integrity of its information and requires compliance with all measures to prevent unauthorized disclosure of information. Panel interviews for this position are anticipated to take place in November-December 2026.