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 in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

CEG’s Advisory, Knowledge and Learning team (CEGKL) provides knowledge and information support to IFC staff and clients on best-in-class ESG risk management, working closely with ESG specialists and operations staff across units and geographies.

IFC is seeking an ESG Associate Officer, ESG Innovation and Data Science (the ESG Officer), to join our CEGKL team. The ESG Officer will report to the Principal Environmental Specialist: Innovation and Data Science, based in Washington D.C.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The ESG Officer will support CEGKL-related activities and efforts to strengthen the ESG innovation and Data Science function. Specifically, the ESG Officer will:

•  Independently oversee work program activities within the Innovation and Data Science workstream and coordinate with CEG teams, various IFC business lines, subject matter experts, and external stakeholders using sound project management methodologies.
•  Serve as Product Owner of CEGKL’s flagship Machine Learning ESG Analyst (MALENA) data science project and coordinate product development and collaboration between data science, data readiness, and product development teams.
•  Manage vendors necessary to complete projects for which s/he serves as Product Owner.
•  Organize, facilitate, and lead consultations for needs analysis with different stakeholders to support high quality outputs to inform ESG innovation explorations and product development using techniques such as design thinking, innovation mapping, and agile thinking and practices such as Scrum, Kanban, and Lean methodology.
•  Capture and document requirement definition conversations with different user segments and translate user features into executable work (e.g., stories and tasks) for product development teams developing solutions using machine learning and artificial intelligence.
•  Develop and produce program-level reports for internal and external stakeholders to support donor relations, program reporting, monitoring, evaluation, and budget reporting commitments.
•  Perform research and analysis on various ESG-related issues and topics, as requested.
•  Mentor less experienced staff in their technical and professional development.
•  Assist in developing global CEGKL products, supporting the global ESG knowledge management team.
•  Assist with other projects and duties as required.

Selection Criteria

Candidates should be early career professionals with experience in innovation, project, or information management and a demonstrated technical knowledge of ESG-related issues. Specifically, the candidates should meet the following criteria: 

•  Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Sustainability, Knowledge or Information Management, Information Technology, or other related discipline).
•  At least five years of relevant work experience in project, information management or related fields, ideally in ESG and the private sector.
•  Excellent facilitation skills to lead design thinking workshops planning and preparation, presentation, knowledge capture, and follow-up with stakeholders.
•  Strong analytical skills to critically evaluate gathered data and ability to link and make associations between datasets and data needs.
•  Experience with design-thinking and agile or other innovation-related techniques.
•  Ability to quickly develop high-quality presentations tailored to different audiences.
•  Experience reviewing ESG data and assessing data quality, including identifying ESG data sources across IFC and publicly available datasets to inform the development of IFC ESG data science solutions.
•  Advanced skills in Excel, PowerPoint and Word and experience with data visualization software such as Microsoft Business Intelligence or Tableau a plus.
•  Demonstrated technical knowledge of ESG principles and practices with knowledge of IFC’s Environmental and Social Performance Standards, Corporate Governance Methodology, and associated tools a plus.
•  Knowledge and interest in understanding emerging technologies, including ESG applications, by staying abreast of new trends and developments.
•  Basic understanding of data science methods, artificial intelligence, and machine learning applications a plus.
•  Ability to engage with various stakeholders, effective influencing skills, and demonstrated diplomacy.
•  Demonstrated self-starter with a high degree of responsiveness and proactivity.
•  Strong written and spoken communication skills in English; ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues, and recommend solutions.
•  Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, deal with frequent unexpected changes using an agile mindset and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
•  Good team player with strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team member, and network effectively across geographies and time zones.

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.