EIB Group Ombuds

EIB - European Investment Bank

Luxembourg

The European Investment Bank (EIB) together with the European Investment Fund (EIF) form the EIB Group (EIBG). The EIB Group is the financial arm of the EU, contributing to a stronger Europe in a more sustainable, prosperous and peaceful world.

With around 5.000 staff members in its Luxembourg HQ as well as in local offices inside the EU and external offices around the world, we aim at having the highest standards of ethics, compliance and staff wellbeing, in an excellent working environment and with a business culture based on cooperation, confidence, constructive relationships and fulfilling professional careers.

Whereas the organisation has in place strong mechanisms for a modern human resources policy and management, to ensure compliance with rules and regulations as well as to investigate and sanction possible infringements, the EIB Group wishes to step up its efforts in providing informal mediation and counselling measures to tackle work conflicts and related staff concerns in an effective and positive manner.

In order to close the identified gaps and respond to the organizational needs, an EIB Group Organizational Ombuds Office (the "Ombuds Office) will be established, consisting of an Ombuds, supported by a group of mediators reporting to it and administrative assistance.

We are looking for a candidate for the role of EIB Group Ombuds, with a proven track record and a valuable work experience in an equivalent role, and who can demonstrate the required knowledge, interpersonal and professional skills and competencies, as well as the potential for successfully shaping this function within the EIB Group.

This position is based at our Luxembourg headquarters and requires regular office presence. The EIB offers you the opportunity to live and work in a truly international and multi-cultural environment. We also offer relocation support.

The EIB, the European Union's bank, is seeking to recruit at its headquarters in Luxembourg, a EIB Group Ombuds*.

This is a full time temporary position at grade 8.

The successful candidate will be offered a fixed-term contract with a duration of 3 years with the option of a one-time renewal (of up to 3 years).

Applicants will receive an initial feedback in February - March 2025.

Panel interviews are anticipated for March 2025.

Purpose

Governed by the Charter for EIB Group Organizational Ombuds Office and reporting directly to the President of the EIB, the Ombuds will provide confidential, impartial and informal advice, independent from the management of EIB and EIF, to facilitate the resolution of common workplace issues. The Ombuds Office will help staff analyse problems, concerns and conflicts at work and assist in identifying options trying to resolve issues in an informal, efficient and constructive manner. The Ombuds Office will provide periodic reports about systemic issues and may recommend ways of resolving these.

We are looking for a person with very strong interpersonal and professional skills (i) to build and maintain relationships throughout the organisation and beyond, with a view to contributing to the best possible working atmosphere for the EIB Group to fulfil its overarching mission; (ii) to deal with inter-personal matters in a professional context, in a mature, discreet, problem-solving and efficient manner; (iii) to define the strategic outlook for an independent organisational function; and (iv) to manage the Mediation Service.

The candidate should be aware of his or her strengths and areas for development and motivated to perform at the highest level as part of a large organisation, fostering an environment of constructive cooperation, teamwork, creativity and innovation.

Finally, we are looking for a person strongly committed to the EIB Group's mission as a public organisation to serve the citizens of the EU and who is able to work in a multidisciplinary and multinational environment, with colleagues from all over the EU and staff based in offices outside the EU.

Operating Network

Report directly to the President of the EIB;
A group of mediators (currently external to the Bank);
Where relevant, collaborate while respecting confidentiality with other relevant services, such as Inspectorate General (IG), Human Resources (HR), Legal Service (JU) and Office of the Group Chief Compliance Officer (O GCCO) and their equivalent at EIF, as well as staff representatives at EIB and EIF;
Externally, the Ombuds will maintain contacts with the International Ombuds Association and the relevant Ombuds functions of peer institutions;
All staff of both the EIB and the EIF that have direct access to the Ombuds Office.

Accountabilities

Offer a neutral, informal, confidential and safe space for staff members to voice professional related concerns, identify and help implement practical solutions;
Contribute to informally addressing workplace concerns brought by staff in a constructive manner and in line with EIB Group values, policies, and procedures;
Manage the service of a (currently external) team of mediators and mediate disputes when appropriate to foster collaborative outcomes;
Assist staff in understanding their rights, responsibilities, and the range of available options, including formal and informal processes;
Report to the EIB President and the EIF Chief Executive with a view to addressing issues and conflicts in an efficient and constructive manner;
Provide recommendations to management on systemic issues affecting workplace policies, practices, and culture;
Identify patterns and trends to help the EIB Group address recurring concerns and help improve organisational systems and policies, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders;
Issue periodic and annual reports summarising activities, trends, and recommendations while maintaining confidentiality;
Liaise with Ombuds offices in other organisations and institutions to exchange best practices and strengthen informal dispute resolution approaches;
Manage the resources under its responsibility.

Qualifications

University degree (minimum an equivalent to a Master's level or other post-graduate qualification) in a relevant field, e.g., organisational behavior, social sciences, psychology, law;
Minimum of fifteen (15) years of relevant professional experience of which five (5) years in the field of ombuds services and/or mediation, preferably in an international/multilateral setting;
Demonstrated track record in providing mediation and ombuds-related services in the context of a large organisation;
Membership of the International Ombuds Association or an equivalent professional association would be a distinct advantage;
Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-cultural environment, with staff at all levels;
Strong inter-personal and communication skills so as to resolve conflict and concerns effectively and in a timely way with a problem-solving and proactive attitude,
Utmost respect for the core values of the role, based on confidentiality, neutrality, and independence;
Good general understanding of staff-related policies and practices in an organisation (e.g., staff rules, regulations, codes of conduct, Dignity at Work policies, etc.);
Demonstrated experience using expert judgment to assess issues, facilitate constructive dialogue, act effectively and providing the best possible solutions in a proportionate, discreet, secure and respectful manner;
Fluency in English both written and spoken. Good Knowledge of French Knowledge of other EU languages would be an advantage. (Knowledge of other EU languages would be an advantage).

Competencies

Find out more about EIB core competencies here.

To find out more about our eligibility criteria click here.

We hire and value talent with unique characteristics, creating a work environment where they can be themselves. We believe that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion makes us a performing and innovative organisation. We encourage all suitably qualified and eligible candidates to apply regardless of their gender identity/expression, age, racial, ethnic and cultural background, religion and beliefs, sexual orientation, disability or neurodiversity.

(*) Unless stated explicitly as a required qualification, a good command of French is not a pre-requisite for hire. As both English and French are however official working languages of the EIB, proficiency in both languages is a pre-requisite for your future career development. Any language clause in your contract must be fulfilled in order for you to be eligible for a promotion (either via the annual appraisal cycle or via an internal selection process). Proficiency is understood to mean the attainment of level 5 of the Inter Institutional language courses, corresponding to B1.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). The Bank offers appropriate training support.

We strongly invite applicants with a disability, neurodivergent profile or chronic condition to request reasonable accommodations at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact the EIB Recruitment team Jobs@eib.org who will ensure that your request is handled.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge the importance of maintaining the security and integrity of the Information of the EIB Group. In case of selection for the position you agree to comply with all measures (policies, controls, document classification and management) implemented by the EIB Group to prevent unauthorised disclosure of any information or any damage to the EIB Group reputation.

Deadline for applications: 19^th February 2025

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