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 ESG Sustainability Advice and Solutions Department (CEG) includes approximately 300 staff and consultants, 70 percent of which are deployed across IFC’s regions of operations, and who work to deliver on two themes of the department strategy:

• Developing ESG solutions for clients, partnering with industry to manage ESG risks and address common issues; and
• Leveraging ESG expertise and operational experience in emerging markets to maintain IFC’s leadership in sustainability through ESG standards – the Environmental and Social Performance Standards (PSs) and the Corporate Governance (CG) Methodology.

CEG supports IFC’s investment, advisory and upstream departments to manage ESG risks associated with their activities and find solutions to client issues on the basis of our Environmental and Social (E&S) PSs (www.ifc.org/performancestandards) and the CG Methodology (www.ifc.org/corporategovernance). CEG works in close collaboration with the E&S Risk and Policy Department (CES), IFC’s investment departments and the Legal Department. CEG further leverages this expertise and operational experience in emerging markets to encourage the effective adoption of these standards by companies and investors across emerging markets. More details can be found at www.ifc.org/sustainability.

CEG is looking for a motivated and detail-oriented mid-career professional with experience in assessing and managing gender and gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) risks of IFC direct investment projects across the Middle East, Central Asia and Türkiye (MCT) and Europe regions and sectors (e.g., in the mining, manufacturing, infrastructure, agribusiness, health, education and tourism, retail and property sectors) and/or investments through financial intermediaries (e.g., banks, private equity, and capital markets investors). This position will be located in the region to: (i) support global and regional client companies that are located in the assigned region; (ii) identify workforce and community-facing measures to reduce or prevent GBV in IFC-supported projects; (iii) work with E&S Specialists in support of clients’ work to address GBV throughout the project cycle and further strengthen E&S capacity to identify and help clients manage GBVH risk in projects.  It is also expected that this position will provide support to the Africa region.

This Social Development Specialist, with high level of expertise in Gender and GBVH, will provide expert guidance to IFC E&S specialists on gender and GBVH risks in IFC projects in accordance with IFC Performance Standards (PSs). Additional tasks will include portfolio review, staff and consultant training, client training, good practice/lessons learned identification and dissemination, engagement with relevant international organizations, contextual analyses, and trend analysis at a sector level. The Social Development Specialist will report directly to CEG’s MCT Manager, with regular professional coordination with the global GBV Thematic Lead.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Provide thematic support to project lead E&S specialists and teams, in the region, on assessment of gender and GBVH related issues, including child safeguarding, and in particular high or substantial risks of GBVH of proposed investments and advisory projects against the requirements of the PSs;
• Advise on structuring appropriate mitigation measures and contractual requirements to promote client action to address gender, GBVH and child risks and impacts in a timely manner;
• Support global and regional client companies that are located in the region and work as social development specialist on projects with a high risk of gender, GBVH and child risks, including as Lead E&S specialist (LESS) or Support E&S specialist (SESS), when relevant;
• Advise CEG regional team leads, E&S specialists and project teams on portfolio monitoring by reviewing client reporting, client’s E&S monitoring reports (and supporting documentation) and performing periodic analysis of IFC’s portfolio. Advise project teams on developing proposed corrective action plans and follow up on associated commitments as relevant;
•As needed, participate in calls, conduct desk reviews of material provided by clients and/or IFC specialists (e.g., environmental and social impact assessments and management plans, gender assessments, child safeguarding, human resources policies and procedures, labor and community grievance mechanism, etc.), and undertake visits of projects and clients in the context of E&S due diligence and supervision of projects;
• Review/contribute to internal E&S documentation relevant to management of gender, GBVH and child risks in projects to enable IFC’s decision making, attend internal meetings and coordinate with internal stakeholders as required;
• Coordinate with and, as needed, seek guidance from the global Principal Social Development Specialist and Senior Gender/GBV Lead to ensure consistency of approach and practice across sectors;
• Liaise and coordinate with other IFC Departments working on gender, diversity and inclusion related issues (investment support, advisory) on potential areas of collaboration;
• Support CEG accountability lead and project teams in developing solutions and responses to CAO and non-CAO cases on gender, GBVH and child issues and risks, additional mitigation or corrective actions, advise on relevant communications with other external stakeholders, including civil society organizations and community complainants, follow up on commitments related to complaints response, and contribute to the mainstreaming of the grievance function for IFC on gender,  GBVH and child related issues;
• In close coordination with the global Social Practice Group Lead and the global Gender/GBV Lead, support IFC’s efforts in projecting our thought leadership – by working with think tanks and other regional and global agencies on the nexus of gender and GBVH and other issues such as disability, climate change and inclusion and core themes such as climate financing, green infrastructure, etc.
• In close coordination with the global Social Practice Group Lead and the global Gender/GBV Lead, support the identification, development and dissemination of knowledge, lessons learned, international good practices on trends, case studies and good practices and support other research needs in connection with pipeline and portfolio projects, on gender, GBVH and child issues arising under IFC’s Sustainability Framework and IFC’s E&S procedures;
• In close coordination with the global Social Practice Group Lead and the global Gender/GBV Lead, support in the preparation, update, review of policies and procedures, knowledge products and tools produced for both internal and external consumption, consistent with IFC’s Sustainability Framework;
• In close coordination with the global Social Practice Group Lead and the global Gender/GBV Lead, support the development and implement training and capacity building programs for IFC’s staff and consultants for key themes, including gender and GBVH assessments, child safeguarding, diversity and inclusion, and intersectionality of gender with other PS topics such as community health and safety, occupational health and safety, resettlement, Indigenous People, and cultural heritage, and participate and contribute to the Social Practice Group and the GBV Community of Practice.

Selection Criteria

• Graduate/advanced degree in social sciences or a related relevant discipline;
• Minimum of eight years of professional experience working to address gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace and communities, derived in a private sector, multilaterals or CSO/NGO environment;
• Good knowledge of global standards and ethical guidelines for prevention and response to GBV and of key standards and resources on GBV in in development settings;
• Familiarity with child safeguarding, rights, emerging issues in diversity and inclusion as well as broader gender issues, including women’s employment good practice in private sector;
• Work experience in emerging markets, including Middle East, Central Asia or Eastern Europe and ideally in fragile and conflict environments;
• Experience in community engagement, grievance mechanisms, or mediation/negotiation skills is a plus;
• Experience with other IFC PS social issues and risks, such as resettlement, labor and working conditions, indigenous people would be an advantage;
• Track record conducting interviews and face-to-face engagements with potential GBVH survivors or communities, using survivor-centric approach is required;
• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner. Diplomatic approach and calm under pressure;
• Fluency in English is required with ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions.  Other language skills, such as Arabic, Russian or Turkish, or others, is a plus;
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyse and synthesize diverse information sources, and draw conclusions from sometimes limited data;
• Pragmatic, solution-oriented, problem solver with a high degree of responsiveness and proactivity, coupled with the ability to recognize when a solution is not available; and,
• Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills and ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team.

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.