ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The European Investment Fund (EIF) specializes in enhancing access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and innovation-driven ventures across Europe. By providing equity investments, guarantees, and risk-sharing instruments, EIF supports the growth and competitiveness of businesses, particularly in underserved sectors and regions. Its initiatives aim to foster entrepreneurship, drive economic development, and stimulate job creation throughout the European Union and beyond.

JOB SUMMARY

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is seeking to recruit for its General Secretariat – Legal Department at its headquarters in Luxembourg, a (Senior) Lawyer*. This is a full-time position at grade 4/5 or 5/6 (depending on experience) for which the EIF offers a permanent contract.

*Internal benchmark: (Senior) Officer

This is a generic campaign in the view of addressing both current vacancies and to a create reserve list for future vacancies. Retention of the reserve list will be for a maximum period of 18 months.

Panel interviews via video-conference are anticipated for September 2024.

Note: Applicants must indicate in their cover letter for which role(s) they wish to be considered (being the Divisions A, B, C – it can be one or more)

EIF Purpose

Part of the EIB Group, the mission of the European Investment Fund (EIF) is to improve access to finance for SMEs and small mid-caps in Europe. We do this by supporting emerging and established fund managers with equity investments and by designing debt financing instruments that share the risk taken by financial institutions when they lend to or invest in small businesses. We bring this support closer to entrepreneurs through our extensive network of partners and financial intermediaries in all EU Member States and associated countries.

Team Purpose

The Legal Department is responsible to deliver services and advice on legal matters in the areas of:

Institutional Legal Affairs Division (“DIVISION “A”): Corporate and institutional affairs of the EIF, including (i) the EIF’s institutional, legal and regulatory environment, (ii) EU law matters, (iii) structuring, set-up and governance of alternative investment structures developed by EIF, (iv) ESG matters and (v) internal governance and policies;

Legal Equity Operations (“DIVISION “B”): Equity transactional activities of the EIF, including (i) investments into venture capital and private equity funds, co-investments, debt funds, technology transfer, climate and infrastructure funds, from origination to deployment and termination/exit (including through secondary sales) and equity related fundraising activities and (ii) mandate negotiations (negotiations with States, Regions or Multilateral Organizations);

Legal Debt Operations (“DIVISION “C”): Debt transactional activities of the EIF, including (i) portfolio guarantees and other unfunded credit protection arrangements, cash and synthetic securitizations, risks sharing loans, senior and subordinated lending, microfinance activities, from origination to deployment and termination/exit and debt related fundraising activities and (ii) mandate negotiations (negotiations with States, Regions or Multilateral Organizations).

Operating network

The Institutional Legal Affairs Division is composed of two different Units: (a) General Legal Affairs and (b) Investment Structures and Fundraising.

The Legal Equity Operations Division is composed of three different Units: (a) Sustainable Growth, Private Credit, Secondary Sales & Portfolio Solutions Unit, (b) Infrastructure, Greentech & Social Impact Unit, (c) Technology & Life Sciences Unit.

The Legal Debt Operations Division is composed of three different Units: (a) the Central Operations Unit (b) the Regional Operations Unit, and (c) the Securitisation Unit

You will directly report to and work under the supervision of one of the Heads of Unit, who in turn report to the relevant Head of Division. You will closely collaborate with the other members of the Legal Department and the external legal counsels. You will be in constant contact with other relevant EIF services and external stakeholders, such as mandators, the EIB, the European Commission, financial intermediaries and service providers.

Responsibilities

At a level commensurate with seniority and experience, you will:

• Provide legal support / advice in the areas in which Division A or Division B or Division C (as relevant) operates, in particular:
  • For Division A:
    • Advise on regulatory frameworks applicable to EIF and/or its activities, including in the areas of EU policies (investment funds regulation (e.g. AIFMD), ESG regulatory framework, conduct regulation (e.g. MiFID), international taxation, prudential requirements and other national or international regulatory frameworks and international standards);
    • Advise on legal matters in relation to investment vehicles: e.g. corporate and governance matters, fundraising activities (cross-border marketing and distribution of alternative investments funds to professional, institutional and retail investors across several jurisdictions both within and outside the EU);
    • Provide advice on the legal structuring of investment vehicles (mainly multi-compartment structures in Luxembourg)
    • Provide contribution to the EIF processes aiming at analysing, onboarding and applying EU and international banking and financial regulations relevant to EIF’s status and activities in the context of EIF’s best market practices (BMP) framework;
  • For Division B: Advise on alternative investment funds and funds of fund related matters; in particular, investments into funds and funds of fund, mandate agreements and portfolio solutions, including secondary sales.
  • For Division C: Advise on banking and structured finance matters; in particular, banking and structure finance transactions, mandate agreements and restructurings.
• Lead the negotiations of the legal aspects of transactions and assignments, as well as monitoring in relation to the EIF’s transactions portfolio;
• Contribute to the structuring and development of transactions and/or assignments;
• Contribute to the design and development of new financial instruments/ mandates;
• Maintain a specialist competence in the areas in which Division A or Division B or Division C (as relevant) operates, as well as other areas in which the EIF operates;
• Actively contribute to knowledge sharing within the team and design precedent documentation;
• Be involved, as necessary, in other matters relating to EIF’s activities, including policy matters;
• Liaise where necessary with external consultants and supervise their work;

For Senior Lawyer(s) in addition you will also:

• Efficiently manage assigned tasks in order to provide quick, reliable, and high-quality deliverables to various internal/external stakeholders;
• Contribute to the structuring and development of mandates, acting as key point of contact;
• Build a network of high level/quality external contacts, European Commission, financial community, EIB and other key stakeholders;
• Participate and represent EIF and the Legal Service where required at external meetings, conferences, workshops, fund representation bodies, committees, etc.;
• Guide, train and, if required, lead more junior staff members.

Qualifications

• University degree in law, preferably complemented with a post-graduate degree;
• At least three (3) years of post-graduation (after having obtained your initial university diploma) relevant professional experience at the same level of responsibility for the Lawyer role and five (5) years of post-graduation (after having obtained your initial university diploma) relevant professional experience at the same level of responsibility for the Senior Lawyer role, preferably in a reputable law firm, international financial institutions and/or regulatory/supervisory authorities;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English. Knowledge of other EU languages would be a significant advantage.
• In addition
  • For Division A, proven knowledge and experience preferably in the fields of (i) international and EU banking and financial regulations, (ii) investment funds (in particular alternative investment funds), (iii) ESG framework and/or (iv) international taxation
  • For Division B, proven knowledge and track record of fund transactions (private equity, venture capital, etc.), plus a thorough understanding of the European venture capital and private equity industry.
  • For Division C: Proven knowledge and track record of finance transactions (including cross-border banking or structured finance transactions) and a good understanding of main EU banking and finance regulations.

Competencies

Common competencies applicable to all roles:

• Ability to understand relevant financial and legal regulatory frameworks at the European and local level, and compliance requirements for the topics relevant to the team;
• Strong negotiation skills, including the ability to negotiate complex legal documentation;
• First-rate technical legal skills, especially in drafting and interpretation of legal documents;
• Ability to actively contribute to knowledge sharing within the team and design precedent documentation;
• Ability to identify, assess and mitigate legal and operational risks associated with the topics relevant to the team;
• Practical knowledge of legal technologies, ability to develop innovative legal solutions;
• Ability to liaise where necessary with external consultants and supervise their work;
• Ability to manage complex files and achieve a consensus among colleagues and third parties;
• Ability to provide strong and timely legal support on transactions/assignments, by taking ownership, ensuring a smooth and timely delivery of transactions and a high quality output;
• Ability to work within tight deadlines, to respond swiftly and effectively to different situations;
• Excellent interpersonal skills for dealing with internal and external contacts and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with ability to draft documents promptly and accurately;
• Sense of initiative and innovation in proposing solutions to issues;
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Previous experience in training and mentoring junior lawyers;
• Efficiently manage assigned tasks in order to provide quick, reliable, and high-quality deliverables to various internal/external stakeholders;
• Lead the structuring and development of transactions and new financial instruments, acting as key point of contact;
• Ability to build a network of high level/quality external contacts, European Commission, financial community, EIB and other key stakeholders.

Deadline for applications: 9 September 2024

Applications of women and/or candidates from countries under-represented in EIF (DEU, NLD, POL, DNK, SWE, AUT, CZR) are encouraged.

We are an equal opportunities employer, who believes that diversity is good for our people and our business. 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/identity, disability or neurodiversity.

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.

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Good luck!