Environmental and Social Development Specialist

The Environmental and Social Development Specialist will perform E&S risk management functions for regional transactions within the World Bank Group's Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Vice Presidency. The role involves supporting E&S monitoring, oversight, and risk assessment across WBG operations, contributing to portfolio reviews, grievance response, and development of risk management products.

Responsibilities

• Support in review of project E&S documentation including due diligence reports, ESIA/RAP/other specialist studies, monitoring reports, site supervision visits, E&S ratings, management responses to grievances, and provide qualified technical opinions on E&S matters.
• Keep active oversight of portfolio projects through review to identify trends and issues in sectors, regions, and themes.
• Support lead/senior risk officer in assigning and reviewing E&S performance risk ratings for projects.
• Support in Senior Management Portfolio Reviews.
• Contribute to regional supervision program reviews.
• Support as technical specialist the lead/senior risk officer in complex projects together with regional E&S teams.
• Input to the Integrated Risk Dashboard providing WBG senior leadership and the Enterprise Risk Committee with consolidated, actionable view of E&S risks across all WBG operations.
• Support and contribute to development of high-quality work products that clearly and logically frame and concisely communicate risks and mitigants.
• Support lead/senior ESROs and the Accountability and Engagement function in monitoring projects with CAO or direct E&S complaints and work with project teams, particularly the E&S regional specialists in solutions and addressing non-compliances.

Requirements

• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, including private sector experience in sustainability and E&S risk management.
• Graduate/advanced degree in environment or social discipline and/or natural resource management, environmental and/or social policy, or similar relevant disciplines for candidates focusing on environmental and/or social aspects.
• Proven experience in one or more areas of Social and Environmental risk management such as environment, health and safety (EHS); risk assessment; occupational, health and safety (OHS); due diligence, environmental site assessment, and compliance audits for environmental focus.
• Graduate/advanced degree in social sciences, anthropology, sociology or other related relevant discipline for candidates focusing on social aspects.
• Proven experience related to one or more areas of social risk management such as stakeholder engagement, labor and working conditions, gender, involuntary resettlement, Indigenous Peoples and cultural heritage for social focus.
• Familiarity and proven experience in managing E&S issues related to complex transactions involving infrastructure, extractives, manufacturing, agribusiness, and/or services sectors.
• Knowledge of IFC’s Sustainability Framework and Performance Standards including requirements for Financial Intermediaries is desired.
• Good analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse information sources, and draw conclusions from sometimes limited data.
• Willingness to travel and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely in spoken and written English is essential.
• Additional language skills are desirable.
• Good interpersonal, listening and communication skills including the ability to relate well with a wide range of internal and external parties.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team.
• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner.

Skills

• Environmental Risk Management
• Social Risk Management
• Sustainability Management
• EHS Compliance
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Due Diligence
• Environmental Site Assessment
• Compliance Audits
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Labor and working conditions
• Gender Risk Management
• Involuntary resettlement
• Indigenous Peoples Consultation
• Cultural heritage management
• IFC Sustainability Framework
• Performance Standards
• Risk Assessment
• Analytical Skills
• Strategic Thinking
• E&S Monitoring
• Grievance Response

Languages

English