Principal Social Development Specialist/Principal Sustainable Supply Chain Risk 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 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.
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 supply chain professional with sound technical judgement and 15-20 years of relevant experience to lead IFC E&S Supply Chain Risk oversight. The ideal candidate will have experience in sustainable supply chain management with knowledge addressing issues ranging from environmental and biodiversity challenges to human rights, fair labor practices and corruption.
The Principal Supply Chain Risk Specialist 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 adherence with IFC’s E&S policies and standards. The successful candidate will also lead and contribute to relevant policy work, training, and knowledge products with a focus on supply chain topics. In addition, he/she will work closely with the CES Stakeholder Grievance Response team on CAO cases or other directly project complaints involving supply chain, labor and other E&S 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:
• Contribute towards High-Risk Project in Portfolio (HRP-P) list, non-performing or complaint generating/CAO projects where the key issues are related to supply chains;
• Perform assurance/audit reviews of IFC diligence and monitoring of 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 and direct complaints working with project teams, to proactively engage clients in finding solutions and addressing supply chain issues.
Serve as an independent Peer Reviewer on CAO compliance investigations with supply chain dimensions and help the team in developing various Management responses as described in the CAO Policy.
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.
• Develop and contribute to the development and dissemination of internal and external knowledge products including research, drafting, reviewing, and providing feedback to good practice notes, lessons learnt, tip sheets, etc.
• Support the capacity building of IFC E&S specialists and clients through the development, review and delivery of training to identify and manage supply chain issues.
• Clear all relevant technical E&S input related to supply chain policies, guidance and tipsheets.
• Participate in internal initiatives to strengthen internal review of supply chain risk management at appraisal and supervision.
• 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 etc.
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 E&S due diligence and policy development in the international context, with strong preference for private sector experience;
• 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;
• Certification and/or experience in sustainable supply chain management initiatives such as RSPO, Bonsucro, Certified Sustainable Supply Chain Professional (CSSCP) etc. will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of the UN Global Compact’s Advisory Group on Supply Chain Sustainability
• Recognized as a highly respected, influential and valuable contributor to the management of issues related to sustainable value chains;
• 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 would be a plus;
• 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.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.
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