[ES_JOBS_NET] Environmental and Social Standards Adviser, World Bank Group, Washington DC

[Christine Wiedinmyer]

https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=4293&

Environmental and Social Standards Adviser
Job #:
req4293
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Environment
Grade:
GH
Term Duration:
3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French, Arabic
Closing Date:
10/1/2019 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC


Description
Established in 1944, the WBG is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. In fiscal year 2018, the WBG committed $67 billion in loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees to its members and private businesses, of which $24 billion was concessional finance to its poorest members. It is governed by 188-member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with nearly 15,000 staff located globally.

The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank is organized into six client-facing Regional Vice-Presidencies, several corporate functions and thirteen Global Practices to bring best-in-class knowledge and solutions to regional and country clients.

Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) plays a pivotal role in achieving the World Bank Group's mission. OPCS assists frontline staff in delivering results to clients through sound operations policy and strong country support. In the World Bank Group structure, OPCS is at the center of operations and delivery, and serves as the link between the Global Practices and the Regions. OPCS develops and oversees the Bank's operational policies for country strategies, lending operations, advisory services and analytical support, financial management, procurement, and environmental and social safeguards. It oversees the Bank Group's Corporate Scorecard; manages interactions with the Bank's oversight units; and co-leads the results measurement and evaluation stream in the Bank Group. OPCS teams provide advice and support to World Bank management and staff as well as hands-on assistance to help teams leverage the Bank's policies, processes, and risk management tools for our country clients. Working in OPCS helps World Bank professionals gain broad exposure to strategic operations issues and develop a deeper understanding of the Bank's business. OPCS's staff are organized in three departments:

  *   Operations Policy and Quality (OPSPQ) consolidates the corporate support and oversight of country strategies and all financing instruments as well as managing operational learning and the Operations Help Desk
  *   Operations Standards, Procurement, Financial Management (OPSPF) is responsible for ensuring technical excellence in the financial management, procurement, and environment and social (E&S) risk management functions across the Bank, and manages selected aspects of the anticorruption in operations agenda, the UN agencies engagement in operation program and the Grievance Redress Service (GRS)
  *   Operations Strategy, Risk and results (OPSRR) supports Bank staff and Management in strengthening the focus on results and risk to achieve the Bank's strategic objectives
Under the overall Managerial leadership of the OPSPF Director, the technical leadership of the Chief Environmental and Social Standards Officer, and two E&S Managers, the OPSPF environmental and social team oversees compliance with the Bank's E&S policies (safeguard policies) in the design and implementation of Bank-supported operations; advises and promotes harmonization in implementation of these policies across the Bank, and reports to Senior Management on compliance and high-risk E&S policy issues. The team collaborates closely with OPSPQ and OPSRR, the Global Practices (particularly the Environment and the Social Development Global Practices), the Regions, the ESF Implementation Support Unit and the Legal and External and Corporate Relations units within the Bank.

Duties and Accountabilities

As part of the multi-disciplinary team of E&S specialists, the Environmental and Social Standards Adviser (ESSA) will support OPSPF in overseeing the application of the ESF policy and standards and compliance with the environmental and social safeguard policies in the Bank's investment lending operations. Overall, the ESSA will support E&S risk management across the lending portfolio, assist in the application of the environmental and social policies, promote building environmental and social sustainability into project design and implementation, support the use of sound environmental and social assessments methodologies across sectors and countries, and participate in knowledge and learning initiatives. While the original specific focus will be on a particular Region of the world, the successful candidate should be able to act in the same capacity in other regions. The ESSA will advise the Regional Management on E&S risk management, provide quality assurance and compliance on the application of the E&S policies and standards, and provide high quality and timely review and clearance of the E&S aspects of investment lending operations. The ESSA will have the following responsibilities:

  *   Provide leadership and guidance on the application of the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework policy and standards, as well as the Bank's safeguard policies relating to the assessment of environmental and social risks and impacts
  *   Provide direct preparation and implementation support to high risk and/or complex projects to help ensure that task teams and clients fully understand and implement Bank procedures, policy requirements, and quality standards. This will include working closely with the project teams, participating in site visits and meetings with implementing agencies, Government officials, Project-affected People (PAPs) and other stakeholders, participating in key decision meetings, and advising teams and clients on a range of E&S issues
  *   Coordinate and supervise OPSPF environmental and social staff and consultants in providing comments and guidance on project environmental and social assessment instruments and documentation for the given Region; provide support for the development of required Bank documentation, if needed
  *   In collaboration with staff in Global Practices (GPs) and Regional Teams, develop and disseminate innovative practical approaches to identify, evaluate, and address complex environmental and social issues, including developing and delivering high quality training activities on the Bank's environmental and social policies
  *   In collaboration with staff in the Global Practices, lead thematic/sectoral reviews and other analytical work on environmental and social policy applications to support portfolio performance
  *   Under the guidance of his/her Manager, represent OPSPF in professional meetings, multi-donor and international fora relating to environmental and social risk management, safeguards and standards, providing leadership in these areas
  *   Contribute as required to the broader work of OPSPF on improving environmental and social sustainability
Selection Criteria
The ESSA must be a team oriented professional with proven ability to carry out complex tasks as part of a multi-disciplinary team; capacity to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines; and ability to work with and advise task teams and key stakeholders on environmental and social risks and impacts.

  *   Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in environmental or natural sciences, engineering, or social sciences, law, economics or other relevant discipline
  *   At least twelve (12) years of full-time relevant professional experience with a sustained record of achieving high quality substantive results
  *   Hands-on experience in environmental and/or social risk management, preparation and/or review of project environmental and social risk and impact assessments, environmental and social management plans, capacity assessments and institutional strengthening measures
  *   Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement major projects and to produce major/complex reports or studies
  *   Excellent knowledge of the World Bank's environmental and social policies and standards
  *   Demonstrated maturity and sound judgment, attention to detail, and ability to convey complex messages succinctly and diplomatically
  *   Proven capacity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, and ability to represent the Department with internal and external partners and interact effectively with Senior Management
  *   Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Communication skills in Arabic and French desirable
  *   Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams
  *   Excellent workflow management and task organization skills; able to coordinate all aspects of the workflow of assigned responsibilities
  *   Ability to coach/mentor more junior staff
Required Professional Competencies

  *   Environmental or Social Development Policy, Strategy and Institutions - Solid understanding of environmental or social development policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations of the World Bank
  *   Environmental and Natural Sciences - Demonstrates strong knowledge of one relevant thematic areas of climate change, and environmental risk management; or demonstrates strong knowledge of one relevant social thematic areas of social development, and social risk management; deep experience in applying knowledge to policy-related decisions and advice
  *   Policy Dialogue Skills - Possesses political judgement, diplomatic acumen and negotiating skills; builds and sustains key stakeholder relationships with government and other key stakeholders
  *   Integrative Skills - Demonstrates ability to think and work across WBG practices and sectors; integrates divergent viewpoints of multiple external and internal stakeholders into a coherent strategy/program/project
  *   Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Fully understands the Bank's development initiatives and policies and practices related to lending and non-lending; Guides research and translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level
WBG Core Competencies

  *   Lead and Innovate - Develops innovative solutions with others
  *   Deliver Results for Clients - Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client
  *   Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries - Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across the WBG and brings differing ideas to the forefront
  *   Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions
  *   Makes Smart Decisions: Recommends and takes decisive action
Poverty has no borders. Neither does excellence. This is why we continually search for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the globe. 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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