Environmental Specialist
Johannesburg, South Africa
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.
IFC’s advisory activities include transaction advice in public-private partnerships (PPPs) to help national and municipal governments with the selection of private sector partners to improve basic infrastructure and services, mainly in the power, transportation, sanitation, education, and healthcare sectors. IFC typically plays the role of lead transaction advisor, working closely with public clients, managing external consultants, and applying the same standards it applies to its own portfolio.
IFC is seeking a dynamic, motivated Environmental & Social (E&S) Specialist with strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills to support its transaction advisory business in Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, and Southern Africa. This professional will provide E&S guidance to clients and advisory teams on E&S matters vis-à-vis IFC Performance Standards (PS) and Sustainability Policy.
The position will report to the ESG Regional Manager for the Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, and Southern Africa region.
Duties and Accountabilities:
• Lead or contribute to identification and assessment of E&S issues and risks.
• Define tailored measures to manage identified E&S issues and risks and value-add solutions and formulate E&S input to transaction process and tender documentation.
• Coordinate E&S consultants and subject-matter experts to provide integrated and coherent E&S advice and explain such advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Define scope of work for E&S Studies, support selection of consultants for development of such studies, and review interim and final deliverables for alignment with IFC Performance Standards, accurateness, and completeness.
• When leading E&S reviews, ensure effective and efficient use of staff, consultants, and resources, ensuring the timely completion of deliverables. Provide guidance and support to team members.
• Provide clear and responsive guidance to IFC transaction teams on E&S risk management in project decision-making and processing throughout the advisory cycle, including clear communication to teams.
• Provide clear guidance to transaction advisory clients to support them in addressing identified issues. This task includes workshops and trainings for public officers to present IFC Performance Standards and good international industry practice in E&S risk management and explain measures to align the project with such standards and practice.
• Provide capacity building to clients and their consultants on conducting E&S Impact Assessment studies, Stakeholder Engagement Plans, Resettlement Action Plans, and other E&S studies, as the case may be.
• Provide monthly updates on the E&S performance of transaction advisory projects in the region and contribute to sectoral and regional portfolio reviews.
• Support advisory teams and clients in response to Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) requests where needed, including discussion with CAO and IEG officers as needed.
• Prepare management briefs of relevant E&S matters.
• Provide guidance to Short-Term Consultants (STCs) working on E&S risk management and supervise the timeliness and quality of their work, in coordination with the Regional Manager.
Selection Criteria
• Advanced degree (Master’s) in science, engineering, sociology or other relevant disciplines.
• Minimum of ten years professional experience working on E&S management of infrastructure and service projects as well as development and review of safeguards documentation such Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Environmental and Social Due Diligence, and Environmental Site Assessment, Resettlement Action Plan, Livelihood Restoration Plan, and Stakeholder/Community Engagement Plan.
• Track record in working with public and private sector clients to identify E&S risks and issues and develop mitigation measures to ensure compliance with good international industry practice.
• Working experience in emerging markets, ideally in fragile and conflict environments.
• Experience working with IFC/World Bank E&S Policies and Standards.
• Willingness to travel regularly.
• Exemplary project management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and summarize diverse sources and draw conclusions from limited data.
• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with the ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner, respond diplomatically and remain calm under pressure and develop solutions in potentially tense or conflicting situations.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely on complex environmental and social issues in spoken and written form, in a manner that can be understood by non-experts.
• Proficiency in English essential, with French and Portuguese skills an advantage.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team, influence and negotiate point of view within teams.
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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