Early Career Programme - European Investment Fund (EIF)

Starting date: 1st October 2024

These are full-time positions for which the EIF offers a 3-year fixed-term contract.

Recruitment process is foreseen for end of May/June 2024.

We are the European Investment Fund (EIF). We're working for a purpose. Together we create a more competitive, innovative, sustainable and inclusive Europe. Our mission is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe. By developing and offering targeted financial products to our intermediaries, such as banks, guarantee and leasing companies, micro-credit providers and private equity funds, we enhance SMEs’ access to finance.
We are part of the EIB Group and our shareholders are the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Commission, and public and private banks and financial institutions.

This year EIF is launching its brand-new Early Career Programme (ECP)! Over the course of 3 years you will have the opportunity to discover EIF as a whole and rotate within different departments. You may also benefit from an immersion in one of our Partner companies in the Private Sector! What an exciting opportunity to meet new colleagues, discover another working environment and different professions that are out there!

To find out more about what we do at EIF and our Early Career Programme join us on the 10th of April at 13:00 CEST for a Live Webinar! Register HERE.

We have designed 4 different ECP tracks: Science and Data Track, Financial Track, Legal and Compliance track, and Generalist track. Each track provides rotations, based on your profile, across various EIF departments such as Fundraising and Investment Management (Front Office), Risk Management, Strategy, Internal Finance, Legal, Marketing and HR.

Science and Data Track 
Explore the dynamic Science and Data Track for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) enthusiasts. In this track you will have the opportunity to experience the vibrant life of our Investment Office, responsible for the entire value chain of EIF’s operations: from the conceptualisation of an idea, through the investment in the market, to ensuring market impact. Amongst others, you will have the chance to: 

• Adopt an “entrepreneurial approach” and analyse market trends, bring fresh perspectives and propose ideas in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Clean Technologies, Media & Audiovisual, Life Sciences, Education tech, etc.;
• Get involved with the biggest fund-of-funds investment program in Europe across a large spectrum of asset classes from Technology Transfer and Venture Capital to Private Equity, in critical sectors such as Tech, Greentech, Life Science, Climate and Energy, Digital Transition, or Social Impact;
• Work with banks and financial institutions, including innovative fintechs, in order to help SMEs get access to finance through portfolio guarantees and securitisation transactions;
• Learn negotiation skills, understand investment program structures, and work on innovative projects in various European macro-regions.

Rotating to Risk Management, as a STEM profile, delve into risk modelling and developing risk analytical solutions for EIF specific products. Become a master in data management & analytics strategies and be at the forefront of digitalisation of risk data infrastructure and data resources.
You may also join the Strategy Department for impact assessment or the Finance Office to gain insights on financial models and the statistical rules that apply to them.

Financial Track
If your studies focus on finance or economics, explore the Financial Track. In this track you will have the opportunity to experience the vibrant life of our Investment Office, responsible for the entire value chain of EIF’s operations: from the conceptualisation of an idea, through the investment in the market, to ensuring market impact. Amongst others, you will have the chance to:  

• Adopt an “entrepreneurial approach” and analyse market trends, bring fresh perspectives and propose ideas that speaks more to younger generation in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Clean Technologies, Media & Audiovisual, Life Sciences, Education tech, etc.;
• Get involved with the biggest fund-of-funds investment program in Europe across a large spectrum of asset classes ranging from Technology Transfer, Venture Capital, to Private Equity, in critical sectors such as Tech, Greentech, Life Sciences, Climate and Energy, Digital Transition, or Social Impact;
• Work with banks and financial institutions, including innovative fintechs, in order to help SMEs get access to finance through portfolio guarantees and securitisation transactions;
• Learn negotiation skills, understand investment program structures, and work on innovative projects in various European macro-regions. 

Rotating to Risk Management, as a Financial profile, you would engage in capital management, stress testing, financial risk analysis, and work hand-in-hand with deal teams. 
You may also join the Strategy Department for impact assessment or the Finance Office to gain insights into financial operations and financial planning.

Legal and Compliance Track 
If you envisage to have a career in legal or compliance, this track is for you! 

You will have a unique opportunity to combine your legal and compliance knowledge with the financial world. You will get great exposure to the financial products offered by EIF on the market, work alongside qualified professionals, acquire in-depth understanding of EIF’s business and operating model and benefit from rotations across different legal teams. Depending on your profile, you may get a chance to dig deeper into the regulations and governance or join the team in charge of providing day-to-day support to our Chief Executive and work closely on policies and procedures applicable in-house.  

You may also have the opportunity to discover Risk Management where you could work in a variety of areas, including developing and implementing state of the art change & process management practices, internal controls and structures, setting the highest standards of ethics in the industry, or investigating some of the most complex corporate structures to prevent money laundering.

Generalist Track
This track is made for you if you intend to build your career in Communications, Marketing, HR or project and change management. 

This track will give you the opportunity to use your creativity and based on your profile, allow you to discover a broad range of activities at EIF from social media, organisation of external and internal events, our editorial activity and graphic design to Human Resources where you can explore areas like recruitment, career development, staff well-being, and learning and development. Finally, you could also be exposed to project management and change management in the dynamic context of a continuously evolving institution.

Unleash your potential in an entrepreneurial environment, connecting the dots and making an impact!

If we got you interested by now – have a look at the position requirements and what we will offer you.

If you:

• Are a national of one of the Member States of the European Union;
• Hold a university degree, preferably at master’s level, in a variety of fields, including STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), digital, data science, finance, economics, law, marketing, human resources, literature and arts;
• Have less than two years of post-graduation professional experience (excluding internships);
• Have an excellent command of English. Knowledge of other EU languages would be an advantage;
• Feel motivated to embark on an incredible adventure for the next 3 years;

Then, wait no more and apply now! 
We are an equal opportunities employer, who believes that diversity, equity and inclusion are good for our people and our business. We actively work on a more diverse organisation and strongly 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/identity, disability or neurodiversity.

What are we looking for in a candidate? We are looking to recruit motivated and dynamic early career professionals who are: 

• Analytical, agile, with a problem-solving mindset and a proactive approach at work;
• As inspired as we are by our European mission;
• Ready to learn – we will provide you all the necessary on-site and online training to support your professional development;
• Open-minded, with the ability to challenge their own views;
• Eager to bring their enthusiasm and motivation on board.

What will we offer you:

• You will receive a monthly base salary of 4,368.67 EUR plus other benefits;
• The opportunity to rotate between 2 different departments within EIF depending on your profile;
• You may have the possibility to spend a few months with one of our external partners from the private sector and other organisations;
• A tailor-made learning programme designed for you to acquire essential and useful skills to excel in your future career;
• Mentoring to help you develop as a professional.

Disclaimer: Please note that the possible rotations described in this job description are an indication of how a path could be designed. The final path that you will follow is tailor-made and will depend on your profile and our current business needs.

Deadline for applications*:  Tuesday, 30 April 2024

Applicants with specific needs are encouraged to request reasonable accommodations at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact the EIF Recruitment team Recruitment@eif.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 unauthorized disclosure of any information or any damage to the EIB Group reputation.

Candidates are informed that pre-employment integrity screening is an integral part of the EIF recruitment process.

* Due to high volume of applications, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.