Senior Social Risk Specialist - based in Luxembourg

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 for its Projects Directorate (PJ), Sustainability, Impact and Advisory Department (SAI), Sustainability & Climate Office (S&CO), Implementation Unit (IMP) at its headquarters in Luxembourg, a Senior Social Risk Specialist *.

This is a full-time permanent position at grade 6.

• interna benchmark Senior (Sector) Transversal Specialist
  
  

Panel interviews are foreseen as from April 2026.

Purpose

In this role, you will help translate the Bank’s social development policies and standards into effective practice, advising on how social due diligence frameworks and management systems should evolve to remain robust and future‑ready. You will build strong networks across the organisation and strengthen internal capacities to deliver a risk‑responsive, high‑quality approach to social due diligence. Working closely with colleagues, you will contribute to developing knowledge, tools, and operational pilots that advance the Bank’s ability to identify, manage, and mitigate social risks. This is an opportunity to shape emerging practice, support meaningful impact, and ensure that social considerations are fully embedded in the Bank’s operations.

Specific Post Environment

As part of a multidisciplinary team of environment, climate, and social specialists, you will play a central role in strengthening the EIB’s operational and capacity building efforts. Reporting to the Head of the Implementation Support Unit (IMP) within the Sustainability and Climate Office, you will work closely with colleagues leading on social policy in the Policy and Strategy Unit (PO&ST) to ensure a coherent, aligned approach across the Division. You will also collaborate with Social Specialists across the Projects Directorate, contributing to a strong, integrated community of practice. This position places you at the heart of the Bank’s sustainability agenda, offering the opportunity to shape how social considerations are embedded in operations and to support meaningful impact across regions.

Operating Network

Internal contacts: Sustainability and Climate Office - Policy Unit; Department experts, other experts across PJ, GLO and OPS. IG – Complaints Mechanism

External contacts: Represent the EIB externally on social risk topics with other MDBs where relevant

Accountabilities

Strengthen the institutional environment for social risk management in projects:

• Develop and invest in an effective network of social risk specialists in the Projects Directorate to reinforce capacities, share knowledge and provide support to experts as needed
• Manage the community of practice on social risk management
• Contribute to the establishment and operation of the S&CO helpdesk on ECS procedures
• Provide technical guidance to the ECS Committee Chair on relevant issues for discussion
• Coordinate needs assessments for capacity building across the Projects Directorate
• Deliver targeted and effective capacity support initiatives, drawing on internal expertise and procurement of external expertise where required
  
  

Lead efforts to improve a risk-responsive, user-centred approach to social risk due diligence:

• Employ innovations and best practices in user-centred design, digitalisation and other approaches to develop and improve cross-sector tools, data and resources to support social risk due diligence
• Ensure effective integration of due diligence into wider procedures for a joined-up approach
• Contribute to the development of internal systems for data, analysis and reporting on related issues
• Input into the post-approval accountability framework for review and support to sectors on social risks
  
  

Contribute to effective knowledge management and partnerships for improved practice:

• Work with colleagues to lead the development of knowledge products or other resources for clients and staff
• Organise and deliver knowledge-sharing and other events internally and externally on relevant topics
• Maintain effective links with external knowledge groups e.g. DFI and MDBs on social risk due diligence matters through specific working groups or initiatives
  
  

Lead the EIB’s work to prevent and mitigate gender risks in projects, including gender-based violence and harassment

• Lead the delivery of the uphold pillar of the EIBG’s Gender Action Plan to ensure safety, security and dignity for women, LGBTIQ+ persons and other relevant people across all operations
• Oversee the evolution of the risk-responsive approach to due diligence across gender risks and embedding in systems and tools
• Develop methods for reporting on gender risks across the EIB’s portfolio
• Provide effective advice, training and guidance for colleagues on gender risks and GBVH matters
• Implement pilots e.g. helpdesk with resources to support clients
• Provide specialist inputs as required, for example, in relation to identified complaints
  
  

Qualifications

• University degree (minimum an equivalent to a Bachelor) in a relevant field (preferably. sociology, anthropology, social development practice, environmental studies, development studies, economics or another relevant discipline).
• Minimum 5 years of experience focussed on social due diligence and implementation of social standards within an international development and/or financial institution, consultancy firm, fund, or corporate. Experience on a senior level will be an advantage.
• Experience in developing and implementing policies and procedures for managing gender risks in projects particularly in high-risk contexts.
• Significant experience of developing and facilitating strategic mechanisms to build capacity and support best practices in large institutions e.g. communities of practice.
• A sound knowledge of social due diligence frameworks, processes and tools and on the ground practical experience in their application in a project/programme funding context.
• Sound knowledge of the main social development policies and practices of the major international financial institutions.
• Experience in user-centred design, digitalisation and AI tools a major advantage.
• Excellent knowledge of English and/or French (***), with a good command of the other. (Knowledge of other EU languages would be an advantage).
  
  

We’re looking for someone who thrives in interdisciplinary settings and brings strong analytical abilities paired with a practical, solutions‑oriented mindset. You’ll be comfortable navigating sensitive, high‑pressure situations and have experience working in diverse and challenging international environments. Success in this role also calls for excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to build trust, collaborate effectively, and engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders.

Competencies

About

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(***) 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 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.

If you require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process due to a disability, neurodivergence, or a chronic health condition, please contact the EIB Recruitment team [email protected] who will manage your request appropriately.

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.

This is an open campaign to consecutively fill open positions. The campaign will remain open until position is filled. Applications will be reviewed in order of receipt.