Position description
The European Association of Guarantee Institutions (AECM) is seeking to employ a (f/m/x) Policy Officer as full-time position.
About AECM:
The 46 members of the European Association of Guarantee Institutions (AECM) are operating in 31 countries in Europe. They are either private/mutual sector guarantee schemes or public promotional institutions or banks. Their mission is to support SMEs in getting access to finance. They provide guarantees to SMEs that have an economically sound project but do not dispose of sufficient bankable collateral. This so-called SME financing gap is recognised as market failure. By guaranteeing for these enterprises, guarantee institutions help to address this market failure and facilitate SMEs’ access to finance. The broader social and economic impact of this activity includes the following:
- Job creation and preservation of jobs by guaranteed companies;
- Innovation and competition: crowding-in of new ideas leading to healthy competition with established market participants;
- Structure and risk diversification of the European economy;
- Regional development since many rural projects are supported;
- Counter-cyclical role during crises.
SME guarantees generally pursue a long-term objective and our members have a promotional mission. In addition, AECM has 5 partners, is a founding member of the Global Network of Guarantee Institutions, and has an observer status at the OECD.
Your tasks:
1. Representing the interests of the members of AECM and promoting the guarantee instrument vis-à-vis EU Institutions and relevant Stakeholders on delegated topics:
- Liaising with EU institutions and international organisations such as the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Investment Bank Group, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), other associations, etc. on an ongoing basis to exchange as well as to present and promote the views of AECM;
- Monitoring, analysing and informing members regarding European and international policy dossiers of relevance for the guarantee sector with a focus on the following areas:
- EU Financial Instruments;
- Regulatory affairs;
- Sustainability policies;
- SME policy.
- Coordinating members’ positions and translating them into concrete action at all levels: public position papers, consultation responses, interventions in conferences, etc.;
- Active participation in policy events, receptions, and conferences;
- Producing reports, press releases/social media posts, speaking points or speeches, background documents, and other communications for congressional meetings and smart lobbying.
2. Responsibility for statistics and for economic surveys and studies:
- Collecting accurately and analysing comprehensively data from member organisations and preparing the results for internal and external communication like, for instance, the AECM Statistical Yearbook, AECM thematic brochures, contributions to the annual activity report, etc.;
- Undertaking member surveys of relevance for the work of the association and its members;
- Collection of impact studies on the activity of AECM members and using them to underpin political requests;
- Presenting market developments and research findings to members as well as to various stakeholders in- and outside of Brussels like, for instance, to the European Investment Fund (EIF), to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), etc.
3. Management of AECM working groups:
- Being responsible for the following AECM working groups:
- Law and Regulation;
- Sustainability;
- Statistics and Impact;
- EU Financing Instruments and Structural Funds (shared with a colleague).
- Being responsible for the organisation and the management of working group meetings (virtual and in presence), especially for drafting of the agenda, requesting speakers, and preparing supporting documents;
- Contributing to the meeting by reporting on latest developments regarding relevant topics;
- Ensuring that the outcomes of these meetings are implemented.
Required qualifications:
The successful candidate will:
- Hold a university degree in economics, business administration, law, political science or in a related field;
- Have 3 or more years of work experience in topics of interest for AECM, i.e. in the areas of economic, financial, and SME policy ideally in a European/international environment;
- Possess a thorough economic understanding;
- Prevail of excellent analytical skills;
- Experienced in working in an international environment;
- Be fluent in English and French, other EU languages are an asset;
- Have relevant IT skills especially with Microsoft Office Programmes (Excel, Word, PowerPoint);
- Have first class drafting skills, communicating, and presenting abilities;
- Have a strong problem-solving attitude and pay superior attention to details;
- Having experience with guarantee institutions is an asset;
- Possess excellent diplomatic skills, team spirit, and the ability to take initiatives being used to work autonomously and also to collaborate with colleagues where necessary;
- Be able to meet tight deadlines and have the organisational skills to manage multiple tasks in parallel;
- Be flexible and open to work in a small dynamic team.
We offer:
- The chance to become part of a European entrepreneurial association;
- An interesting working environment with an intellectually challenging position;
- High visibility and close interaction with senior/executive industry representatives, EU, and OECD representatives;
- Being part of a small, flexible, and energetic team;
- A full-time position and a permanent contract under Belgian law with competitive salary (in French: CDI).
Starting date: November 2023
Application instructions
Candidates are invited to apply online with CV and motivation letter.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted;
- No fixed deadline, interviews will be organised on a rolling basis.
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