Associate Environmental and Social Development Specialist
Washington DC, United States
JOB DETAIL
Description
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
The Environmental & Social Policy and Risk Department (CES) delivers four functions:
• Policy and Standards: Maintains and updates IFC’s sustainability policies, standards, and procedures as a world-class resource for IFC clients and external networks.
• Risk Management: Ensures IFC has appropriate systems, procedures, and capacity to deliver on E&S risk management. Adds value to the management of E&S risks, reviewing the E&S aspects and classification of all projects at origination and providing oversight, guidance, and support for high-risk projects in the pipeline and for high-risk and non-performing projects in IFC’s investment portfolio.
• Stakeholder Grievance Response: Facilitates and improves IFC’s ability to resolve stakeholder complaints quickly and effectively and address both CAO and non-CAO complaints.
• Knowledge, Learning, and Systems: Fosters the E&S community of practice and transforms lessons learned into guidance, E&S risk management tools and systems, learning, accreditation of E&S staff, and knowledge products that enhance IFC’s E&S performance.
CES collaborates closely with IFC’s investment departments and ESG professionals housed in Operations. IFC is unique among development finance institutions in having this cadre of in-house environment and social experts. More details can be found at www.ifc.org/sustainability.
Duties and Accountabilities
IFC is looking for three dynamic, motivated, and detail-oriented professionals with strong analytical, communication, interpersonal, investment, assurance/audit, or environmental/social skills to join, support, and learn from the Policy and Risk Department’s senior and seasoned team of environment and social specialists who are responsible for the Environmental and Social Risk function within IFC. Candidates must be flexible to relocate to another location in the region. Associates will report to Principal E&S Officers and have some mentoring and oversight responsibilities for analysts.
Key accountabilities include:
• New business: Support CES’s risk function on new business by reviewing investment team E&S diligence and undertaking independent due diligence of IFC’s proposed investments in high E&S risk direct investment projects (e.g., in the mining, manufacturing, infrastructure, agribusiness, health, education and tourism, retail and property sectors) and/or high E&S risk investments through financial intermediaries (e.g., banks, private equity, and capital markets investors) to:
o identify environmental and social risks and any gaps in impact assessments and management plans for alignment with IFC’s Performance Standards;
o problem solving to suggest appropriate mitigation measures, budgets, and contractual alignment of interest to address risks and impacts;
o capture and codify precedents and benchmarks across transactions (see Policy function); and
o production of high-quality work products that clearly and logically frame and concisely communicate risks and mitigants.
• Portfolio: Support CES’s risk function of portfolio monitoring by reviewing client reporting, investment agreements, investment team E&S monitoring reports (and supporting documentation) and performing independent analysis of IFC’s portfolio to:
o maintain a Watchlist of high-risk, non-performing, or complaint-generating projects;
o coordinate with ESG staff in regions to build a clear picture of the issues associated with clients and review recovery action plans proposed by the investment team for agreement with the client;
o perform assurance/audit reviews of IFC diligence and monitoring work quality on selected projects;
o review waiver, disbursement, and exit requests associated with projects;
o entire portfolio analysis to identify and assess trends associated with specific risk themes, sector themes, work quality themes, etc., and
o production of high-quality work products that clearly and logically frame risk mitigation
o production of high-quality work products that clearly and logically frame risk mitigation.
• Knowledge Management and Learning: Support CES in developing and delivering E&S learning across the corporation to Investment and Operations staff and professional learning to E&S staff. Participate in cross-regional and global teams responsible for preparing policy interpretation notes on E&S topics and contribute to the corporate knowledge base by analyzing and disseminating lessons learned from project work.
o prepare management briefs of relevant E&S matters.
o support team gathering lessons learned and providing input to E&S knowledge products and policy interpretation notes; and
o support in developing e-learning and other training programs.
Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., environmental management, science, social sciences, engineering, or other related discipline).
• Minimum of five years of private sector work experience, including or associated with the assessment and management of environmental and/or social impacts in a consultancy, industrial, or commercial role but with consideration to the specific areas of accountability described above.
• Knowledge of international good practice for private sector management of E&S risks, including the IFC Sustainability Framework and supporting documents such as Guidance Notes and EHS Guidelines.
• Ability to synthesize and analyze diverse E&S-related data and information from various sources.
• Strong quantitative analytical skills, extensive experience and comfort with Excel, and ability to analyze data for trends and produce various supporting graphics to illustrate.
• Clear thinking with the ability to synthesize a wide range of issues and succinctly communicate (verbally and in writing) the key concerns and proposed solutions.
• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team member, work effectively in and influence a team, and network effectively across boundaries.
• Ability to travel regularly to and work effectively in IFC client countries is essential.
• Familiarity with IFC/World Bank operations, procedures, and culture will be advantageous.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.
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