Appointment is for a fixed period of 3 years with possibility of prolongation up to 3 years.

(The post will be located in one of the JASPERS offices in Brussels, Bucharest, Luxembourg, Vienna or Warsaw subject to professional needs and the profile of the candidate chosen. Candidates should express their preference for location. This is a preliminary campaign in anticipation of future vacancies).

JASPERS (Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions) is a partnership between the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Its mandate is to advice Member States, particularly the ones who joined the EU after 2004, in the preparation of projects co-financed by the Structural Funds. The activities also cover the candidate countries that are included in the IPA instrument.

Purpose

Within the Transport Divisions of JASPERS, the expert will support implementing JASPERS’ mandate, aiming at advising the beneficiary Countries to better prepare infrastructure projects eligible for EU assistance. The EIA specialist will provide technical expertise primarily in the transport sector by conducting technical analysis of the compliance of investment projects supported by JASPERS with the environmental acquis, as well as coordinating with other EIA specialists other Divisions, thus ensuring a coordinated approach to the EIA review process.

Operating Network

The EIA Specialist will report to the relevant Head of Division (HoD) and work in close contact with other sector specialists, the other JASPERS staff and professional staff in the Bank’s departments. She/he will also develop and maintain, in close coordination with the HoD, contacts with the European Commission (mainly DG Environment and DG Regional Policy), public authorities and managing authorities in JASPERS countries of operations. 

Responsibilities

The chosen candidate will primarily act as a sector specialist in evaluating the compliance of the proposed investments in the transport sector with the environmental acquis, but will also provide general support on EIA related issues and coordinate with EIA specialists in other Divisions, thus ensuring a coordinated approach to the EIA review process. 

S/he will also be expected to promote the understanding of the main issues and challenges of the EIA related activity in JASPERS and to represent JASPERS, by developing and maintaining relationships with the European Commission – DG Environment - and MS’ Managing Authorities. As part of a multi-disciplinary team and in particular liaising with the Division's other expert staff, the duties will be:

• Advise on the conceptual development and structuring of projects and the analysis of alternatives, taking into account environmental considerations
• Advise on the specific aspects of projects such as compliance with the environmental acquis, mainly EIA, SEA and Habitat directives
• Review the key steps of implementation of the EIA/SEA procedures; quality of the screening exercise, scoping reports, public consultation process, consultation with other authorities and other Member States in case of transboundary EIA, etc
• Review and control quality of the environmental impact statements, appropriate assessment etc
• Advise on integrating climate change into analysis of environmental impact, climate change adaptation and mitigation needs and disaster resilience
• Assess compliance with EU environmental legislation and conformity with EU Environmental Policy
• Assist in the review, preparation or completion of applications for funding under the Cohesion Fund or the ERDF
• Develop, through the implementation of model projects, the dissemination of international best practice, and the skills needed to take advantage of EU-grants
• Address horizontal or thematic issues which are limiting grant absorption capability in the transport sector
• Share her/his own information and experience in the preparation of projects with other members of the team in order to enlarge the knowledge and competencies of the team;
• Support the activity of other EIA specialists in Regional offices ensuring a coordinated approach to EIA review process
• Develop and maintain, in close co-ordination with the HoD, external contacts, including the corresponding units in the European Commission, public authorities and managing authorities in JASPERS countries of operations 

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in engineering, environmental economics, environmental sciences or other domain relevant for the sector
• At least 5 years of relevant experience
• Experience in the implementation of EU EIA Directive, mainly preparing EIA reports for major infrastructure projects, NTS and/or reviewing EIA statements
• Experience in assessing and implementing Habitat Directives would be an advantage
• Familiarity with international best practice in her/his field of expertise would be an advantage
• Experience in developing large transport infrastructure projects, in the beneficiary countries and with EU policies and procedures concerning large projects would be an advantage
• Previous experience in coordinating complex activities would be an advantage
• Knowledge of standard MS Office package
• Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of one or more of the languages of the countries under the responsibility of JASPERS would be an advantage

 Competencies

• Good interpersonal, team-working and communication skills
• Good analytical and reasoning skills with capacity to provide sound judgment concerning the issues in her/his area of responsibilities
• Clear and concise oral and written expression
• Knowledge of the preparation and review of feasibility studies
• Ability to operate in international environments
• Capacity to plan, organise and supervise her/his work and the work of other experts
• Good diplomatic skills and ability to deal with clients at all levels
• Results-oriented and capacity to work under pressure 

Deadline for applications: 31^st January 2015

We believe that Diversity is good for our people and our business. We promote and value diversity and inclusion among our staff and candidates; irrespective of their gender, age, nationality, race, culture, education and experience, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or disability.