Regional Environment and Social Standards Adviser
Apply NowCompany: The World Bank Group
Location: Washington, DC 20544
Description:
Regional Environment and Social Standards Adviser
Job #:
req30910
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Environment
Grade:
GH
Term Duration:
4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French
Closing Date:
1/17/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org
REGIONAL CONTEXT
The Middle East and North Africa (MNA) Region serves twenty countries, of which twelve are active/potentially active IBRD/IDA borrowers (Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Tunisia and Yemen) and eight are users of the Region's non-lending services, mostly on a reimbursable basis (Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). The mission of MNA is to foster sustainable growth with a focus on job creation and poverty reduction, economic and social inclusion, and good governance. MNA attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. MNA places high value on diversity. MNA is organized in five Country Departments (CMUs), four Practice Groups (PGs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, and the Development Effectiveness Unit (MNADE).
With an expanded regional strategy, the World Bank Group aims to help the MENA region weather the current crises, move from stabilization to transformation, unlock its vast economic potential of youth and women, and ease the constraints that hamper their creative energies.
UNIT CONTEXT
The MNADE department is a dynamic unit that requires professional excellence and a commitment to teamwork. As a central member of the Front Office and MNADE team, the RSA will have the opportunity to contribute to the Bank's core mission of poverty reduction and development in the Africa. S/he will work directly with the Manager of the Development Effectiveness Unit.
Duties and Accountabilities of the RSA :
As part of the multi-disciplinary team of E&S specialists, the RSA will support the Director of Strategy & Operations and DE Manager in MENA 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 RSA will support E&S risk management across the lending portfolio in coordination with the Chief Environmental and Social Standards Officer (CESSO) in OPSPF, have oversight on high risk IPF operations or where enhanced oversight is needed on additional IPF operations; assist the CESSO 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, learning and corporate initiatives led by the CESSO.
The RSA will advise the Regional Management Team 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 RSA 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 issues, 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 environmental and social staff and consultants working on the RSA teams 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.
Work closely with the Chief Environmental and Social Standards Officer in OPCS on policy issues, risk management and systems, and corporate initiatives to ensure consistent application of the ESF and safeguard policies across regions.
In collaboration with staff in the 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 Regional Teams, lead thematic/sectoral reviews and other analytical work on environmental and social policy applications to support portfolio performance
Under the guidance of the relevant Director of Strategy & Operations, represent the Regional Management Team 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 the Region on improving environmental and social sustainability.
Selection Criteria
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 French is 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/or Social 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.
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.
Job #:
req30910
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Environment
Grade:
GH
Term Duration:
4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French
Closing Date:
1/17/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org
REGIONAL CONTEXT
The Middle East and North Africa (MNA) Region serves twenty countries, of which twelve are active/potentially active IBRD/IDA borrowers (Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Tunisia and Yemen) and eight are users of the Region's non-lending services, mostly on a reimbursable basis (Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). The mission of MNA is to foster sustainable growth with a focus on job creation and poverty reduction, economic and social inclusion, and good governance. MNA attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. MNA places high value on diversity. MNA is organized in five Country Departments (CMUs), four Practice Groups (PGs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, and the Development Effectiveness Unit (MNADE).
With an expanded regional strategy, the World Bank Group aims to help the MENA region weather the current crises, move from stabilization to transformation, unlock its vast economic potential of youth and women, and ease the constraints that hamper their creative energies.
UNIT CONTEXT
The MNADE department is a dynamic unit that requires professional excellence and a commitment to teamwork. As a central member of the Front Office and MNADE team, the RSA will have the opportunity to contribute to the Bank's core mission of poverty reduction and development in the Africa. S/he will work directly with the Manager of the Development Effectiveness Unit.
Duties and Accountabilities of the RSA :
As part of the multi-disciplinary team of E&S specialists, the RSA will support the Director of Strategy & Operations and DE Manager in MENA 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 RSA will support E&S risk management across the lending portfolio in coordination with the Chief Environmental and Social Standards Officer (CESSO) in OPSPF, have oversight on high risk IPF operations or where enhanced oversight is needed on additional IPF operations; assist the CESSO 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, learning and corporate initiatives led by the CESSO.
The RSA will advise the Regional Management Team 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 RSA 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 issues, 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 environmental and social staff and consultants working on the RSA teams 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.
Work closely with the Chief Environmental and Social Standards Officer in OPCS on policy issues, risk management and systems, and corporate initiatives to ensure consistent application of the ESF and safeguard policies across regions.
In collaboration with staff in the 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 Regional Teams, lead thematic/sectoral reviews and other analytical work on environmental and social policy applications to support portfolio performance
Under the guidance of the relevant Director of Strategy & Operations, represent the Regional Management Team 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 the Region on improving environmental and social sustainability.
Selection Criteria
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 French is 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/or Social 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.
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.