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 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 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

The Environmental & Social (E&S) Policy and Risk Department (CES) reports directly to the IFC Managing Director. CES has a mandate to enhance IFC E&S risk management. It is responsible for developing IFC E&S policies, standards and procedures and providing oversight, advice, and independent review in the management of E&S risk within the Corporation. CES works in close collaboration with IFC’s investment departments, and the Sustainability and Gender Department (CEG) housed in IFC Operations.

CES delivers four cross-cutting functions:

• Policy and Standards: CES maintains and updates IFC’s sustainability policies, standards, and procedures as a world-class resource for IFC clients and external networks.
• Risk Management: CES ensures that IFC has appropriate systems, procedures and capacity in place to deliver on E&S risk management. CES adds value to the management of E&S risks, reviewing E&S aspects and classification of all projects at origination and providing oversight, guidance, and support for high-risk projects in the pipeline, as well as for high-risk and non-performing projects in IFC’s investment portfolio.
• Stakeholder Grievance Response: CES facilitates and improves IFC’s ability to resolve stakeholder complaints quickly and effectively, and address both Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and direct complaints.
• Knowledge, Learning, and Systems: CES fosters the E&S community of practice, transforms lessons learned into guidance, E&S risk management tools and systems, learning, certification of E&S staff and knowledge products that enhance IFC’s E&S performance.

CES is looking for a seasoned and highly motivated social development professional with sound technical judgement and 15-20 years of relevant experience to lead IFC Supply Chain Risk oversight. The Principal Supply Chain Risk Officer will work closely with CES Risk Officers, providing leadership and guidance to operational teams and management on complex risk and issues related to supply chains, including labor, OHS and biodiversity aspects with the aim of promoting compliance with IFC’s social policies and standards. The successful candidate with also lead and contribute to relevant policy work, training and knowledge products with a focus on supply chain topics and work closely with the CES Stakeholder Grievance Response team on CAO cases or other project complaints involving supply chain, labor and other social issues. The position will report to the Manager, E&S Risk Management Unit within CES.

Duties and Accountabilities:

New business: Lead Supply Chain risk management  on new business by reviewing project concept documents, E&S categorization, scope of proposed E&S diligence, client E&S requirements, contextual risk, etc., working closely with the Regional and FI Risk Officers (as relevant) in reviewing each processing stage of investment and advisory transactions with high supply chain risks. This may include:

• Screening and identifying supply chain risks and any gaps in the project team’s proposed E&S appraisal and risk management approaches;
• Advising on structuring, appropriate mitigation measures and contractual requirements to promote client action to address supply chain risks and impacts in a timely manner;
• Participating in select Investment Review Meetings (IRM);
• Advising the CES Director on his inputs to investment discussions at the Project Committees;
• Opining on risks and mitigants as disclosed by the teams in project disclosure documents, board papers, E&S provisions in legal agreements, etc.;
• Capturing and codifying precedents and benchmarks across transactions (see Policy function); and
• Contributing to the development of high-quality work products that clearly and logically frame and concisely communicate supply chain risks and mitigants.

Portfolio: Work in collaboration with the Global Social, Regional and FI Risk Officers in portfolio monitoring efforts of activities with high supply chain risk. This includes reviewing client reporting, investment team E&S monitoring reports, draft portfolio reviews provided by CEG and performing independent analysis of IFC’s portfolio to:

• Maintain a High-Risk Project in Portfolio (HRP-P) list, non-performing or complaint generating/CAO projects where the key issues are related to supply chains;
• Coordinate with CEG staff to build a clear picture of the issues associated with each HRP-P list client and review proposed corrective action plans;
• Perform assurance/audit reviews of IFC diligence and monitoring work quality on selected projects with high-risk supply chain issues;
• Conduct thematic or sector specific portfolio analysis to identify supply chain risks and trends;
• Identify supply chain issues that are systemic or of a policy nature and propose adjustments as needed; and
• Contribute to regional supervision program reviews.

Grievance Response: Support CES grievance response function in monitoring projects with CAO or other E&S complaints and work with project teams, particularly the CEG specialists, to proactively engage clients in finding solutions and addressing non-compliances. Serve as an independent Peer Reviewer on CAO compliance investigations with social/ supply chain dimensions and help the team in developing the corporate Management Response.

Policy and Knowledge Management: Support CES’s policy and knowledge functions in reviewing and updating policy documents and developing guidance and procedures based on lessons learned in the new business, risk and grievance response functions. Provide clearance for IFC Knowledge Products produced (including by CEG) related to supply chain standards or policies.  Contribute to the development, review and delivery of training and/or knowledge products on supply chain risk management issues.

• Development of knowledge products including research, drafting, reviewing and providing feedback to good practice note, internal tip sheets, among other things.
• Participate in internal initiatives and contribute to the development and/or strengthening of internal guidance on labor and supply chain risk management at appraisal and supervision, including the development of technical notes, internal tip sheets, internal meetings with CES, CEG and investment teams and presentations, as necessary to internal stakeholders.
• Support the dissemination of knowledge, lessons learned, international good practices, technical notes and tip sheets and enhance the capacity of IFC E&S specialists and clients to identify and manage labor and supply chain issues.
• Provide input to global discussions within IFC E&S practitioners group on supply chain and value chain matters, including issues such as human rights policies and procedures; freedom of association and collective bargaining; migrant workers’ rights; workers’ accommodations standards; non-discrimination and equal opportunity; retrenchment; contractor management; workers’ grievance mechanism; prevention of child and forced labor; and supply chain labor standards.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree in engineering, social sciences, economics, supply chain management, or other related relevant discipline;
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience working on labor, supply chain and/or social due diligence and policy development in the international context, with strong preference for private sector experience;
• Sound knowledge of IFI and/or World Bank Group E&S Policies and Standards related to one or more areas of risk management, such as: supply chains, labor and working conditions, occupational health and safety, biodiversity. In particular, knowledge of the supply chain requirements in the IFC Performance Standards;
• Proven experience working on high-risk projects with challenging and complex supply chain issues;
• Demonstrated experience working on supply and value chain aspects in various sectors, including manufacturing, infrastructure, telecom, renewable energy, mining, agribusiness, health, education and tourism, retail and property sectors;
• Recognized as a highly respected, influential and valuable contributor to the management of issues related to sustainable value chains;
• Excellent communicator – both oral and written English; ability to articulate thoughts with clarity and make logical, concise and persuasive arguments to non-technical colleagues;
• Pragmatic, solution-oriented, creative thinker with high degree of responsiveness and proactivity;
• Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills including the ability to relate well with a wide range of internal and external parties (including senior staff, management, IFC’s accountability mechanism, NGOs, labor unions, industry associations and clients) and seek solutions in potentially tense or conflictual situations. Ability to influence and negotiate within teams and with clients;
• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters in a discreet and respectful manner. Diplomatic approach and calm under pressure. Ability to have difficult conversations and make tough judgement calls in a collegial manner;
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse information sources, and draw conclusions from sometimes limited data; and
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team, influence and negotiate point of view within teams, superior mentoring skills.

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.

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