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 Development Impact Measurement Department (CDI) is part of the Economics & Private Sector Development Vice Presidency. It is responsible for developing methodologies and assessing the development impact of IFC investments. This includes implementing the ex-ante development impact framework (the Anticipated Impact Measurement and Monitoring system or AIMM); measuring development impact during the investment project life cycle; conducting ex-post empirical evaluations; and collaborating with and convening the global impact investing community.

CDI is recruiting a Senior Economist for Environmental and Social Sustainability to join the Development Impact Evaluation Unit. This unit includes approximately 20 staff, comprising economists and results measurement specialists working on the continued improvement of AIMM methods and processes; the estimation of climate, environmental and social sustainability impacts of IFC investments; economic modeling; and empirical evaluations of IFC’s development impact. The unit’s work program also encompasses support for IFC’s corporate reporting activities and results measurement support for advisory services projects related to climate, ESG, gender, and inclusive business.

The Senior Economist will be responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of the climate, environmental and social sustainability dimensions of the AIMM system (across all industries and all regions), engaging with CDI Industry Economists, IFC Investment Operations teams, the corporate climate department, the gender department, and the ESG risk departments. This senior economist will lead on how to measure environmental, climate and social impacts as part of project assessments, impact evaluations, and analytical work.   The senior economist will also provide advice and guidance to CDI teams on environment, climate, and sustainability topics, generate relevant and robust analysis and knowledge management materials, and conduct training for staff on these crosscutting themes.  The Senior Economist will report to the Manager for the Development Impact Evaluation Unit.

CDI is looking for a dynamic, high performing Senior Economist with experience in climate, environmental and social sustainability in private sector operations; a strong knowledge of global ESG standards and taxonomies and best practice in impact measurement of environmental and climate outcomes in general and in impact investing specifically; understanding of sustainable finance instruments and regulations and how they drive sustainable outcomes as well as how markets evolve over time to become more sustainable (e.g. decarbonization, standards, changes in business processes, uptake of standards); and proven ability to work under tight timelines to identify climate, environmental and social outcomes (project and market) from private sector investments.  Knowledge on ways to value these as part of an impact investing framework and the integrated capitals approach would be a plus.

This appointment involves close interaction with other economists and results measurement staff in the department, relevant stakeholders in the climate, ESG and gender/inclusive business community across IFC, the World Bank, and the development finance community, as well as with IFC industry and operational teams.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide advice and guidance on climate, environment, and social sustainability claims of investment projects, ensuring that assessments are robust and credible, and at the same time practical and pragmatic. This includes the following topics:
• Climate mitigation and adaptation; decarbonation of markets, transitions of markets
• Biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Gender and gender-based violence
• Worker safety and job quality
• Environmental health and other community benefits
• Sustainable finance (e.g., green/blue bonds, SLLs).
• Work with industry economists, industry specialists, climate specialists, ESG specialists and others across the IFC to develop methodologies and approaches to measure the impact of new investments and innovations.
• Provide technical guidance on climate, environment and social sustainability in impact investing framework(s) and advisory services offerings.
• Train staff on climate, environment, and social sustainability measurement and market development focused on the practical applications in AIMM (project, market), including preparing and disseminating guidance and good practice materials such as toolkits, templates, checklists, training materials, cases, and information notes.
• Provide input on other tasks undertaken in CDI to ensure that sustainability issues are appropriately incorporated and are an integral part of briefings, analytical work, impact evaluations, and reports.
• Provide technical advice to the Department and across the VPU on sustainability as it relates to development impact measurement.
• Build and maintain partnerships with key international institutions helping to drive the measurement and evaluation of climate, environmental and social measurement frameworks and impact investing.
• Draft briefing notes and talking points for senior management as requested.

Selection Criteria

• PhD in Economics, Environmental or Natural Sciences and 8+ years of relevant experience, or a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience if the candidate holds only a master’s degree.
• Relevant professional experience covers environment and climate analytics and impact measurement as applied to private investments.  Impact investing experience is a plus.
• Operational experience supporting the various development stages of complex private investment projects, with a proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement practical solutions.
• Experience in training/capacity building and knowledge management.
• Excellent knowledge of IFC’s Performance Standards and Sustainable Finance Instruments and Taxonomies.
• Significant experience working in developing countries.
• Excellent verbal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams and multicultural environments.

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.