Senior Social Development Specialist
Apply NowCompany: The World Bank Group
Location: Washington, DC 20011
Description:
Senior Social Development Specialist
Job #:
req32020
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Social Development
Grade:
GG
Term Duration:
4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French, Spanish
Closing Date:
3/10/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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.
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 operational issues and develop a deeper understanding of the Bank's business. OPCS's staff are organized in four departments:
Operations Standards, Environment and Social (OPSES) is responsible for Environmental and Social Standards and Safeguard Policies, including support to operations, learning and training, knowledge management, reporting, interface with the Inspection Panel, and management of the Grievance Redress Service (GRS).
Operations Standards, Procurement, Financial Management (OPSPF) is responsible for ensuring technical excellence in the financial management and procurement, and manages selected aspects of the anticorruption in operations agenda and the UN agencies engagement in operation program;
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 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.
Duties & Accountabilities
As part of the multi-disciplinary team of E&S specialists, the Sr. Social Development Specialist will support the Chief Environmental and Social Standards Officer (CESSO) in overseeing the application of the ESF policy and standards and compliance with the social safeguard policies to the Bank's investment lending operations. The Specialist also will support E&S risk management across the lending portfolio, assist in interpreting the social policies, promote building social sustainability into project design and implementation, support the use of sound social assessments methodologies across sectors and countries, and participate in knowledge and learning initiatives. The Sr. Social Development Specialist responsibilities may include, among other matters:
Develop and provide corporate policy guidance on social risk tools, social assessment instruments and documentation, and related risk management tools
Support CESSO in fulfilling corporate ESF and safeguards functions with relation to Regional and corporate risk analysis, review of ROC and OC pipeline projects, provide advice on activities in FCV settings, engagement with development partners
Preparing updates to and interpretations for policy, procedures, directives and guidance for the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework policy and standards (including on ESF Streamlining initiatives), with reference to international good practices;
Participate in, develop and implement knowledge management and learning activities of the ESF, in collaboration with Regional, GP and OPCS colleagues;
For High-risk projects, as required, provide support to CESSO and RSA to engage in the supervision (implementation support) of Bank operations in relation to social policies and related project-specific social requirements;
Provide corporate / policy advice on social impact assessments, and on one or more of the following topics: stakeholder engagement, consultation plans; labor, gender, indigenous peoples' frameworks and plans, vulnerable groups, gender-based violence, land tenure and access, resettlement plans, human security, crime and violence, economic and social impacts, and occupational health and safety.
Selection Criteria
The Senior Social Specialist must be a team-oriented professional with proven ability to carry out complex tasks as part of multi-disciplinary teams, capacity to work under pressure, meet strict deadlines; and ability to work with and advise task teams and key stakeholders on social risks and impacts.
Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in social sciences, law, economics, or other relevant discipline;
At least eight years of full-time relevant experience with a sustained record of achieving high quality substantive results;
At least five years of full-time relevant experience in World Bank operations;
Experience in social risk management, preparation and/or review of project social risk and impact assessments, social management plans, capacity assessments and institutional strengthening measures;
ESF Accredited
Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement major projects and to produce major/complex reports or studies;
Good knowledge of the World Bank's E&S policies and standards, and social safeguard policies on Involuntary Resettlement, Indigenous Peoples, Labor, Human Rights, Citizen Engagement, Access to Information, Land Acquisition;
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; French or Spanish 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.
This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.
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 #:
req32020
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Social Development
Grade:
GG
Term Duration:
4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French, Spanish
Closing Date:
3/10/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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.
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 operational issues and develop a deeper understanding of the Bank's business. OPCS's staff are organized in four departments:
Operations Standards, Environment and Social (OPSES) is responsible for Environmental and Social Standards and Safeguard Policies, including support to operations, learning and training, knowledge management, reporting, interface with the Inspection Panel, and management of the Grievance Redress Service (GRS).
Operations Standards, Procurement, Financial Management (OPSPF) is responsible for ensuring technical excellence in the financial management and procurement, and manages selected aspects of the anticorruption in operations agenda and the UN agencies engagement in operation program;
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 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.
Duties & Accountabilities
As part of the multi-disciplinary team of E&S specialists, the Sr. Social Development Specialist will support the Chief Environmental and Social Standards Officer (CESSO) in overseeing the application of the ESF policy and standards and compliance with the social safeguard policies to the Bank's investment lending operations. The Specialist also will support E&S risk management across the lending portfolio, assist in interpreting the social policies, promote building social sustainability into project design and implementation, support the use of sound social assessments methodologies across sectors and countries, and participate in knowledge and learning initiatives. The Sr. Social Development Specialist responsibilities may include, among other matters:
Develop and provide corporate policy guidance on social risk tools, social assessment instruments and documentation, and related risk management tools
Support CESSO in fulfilling corporate ESF and safeguards functions with relation to Regional and corporate risk analysis, review of ROC and OC pipeline projects, provide advice on activities in FCV settings, engagement with development partners
Preparing updates to and interpretations for policy, procedures, directives and guidance for the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework policy and standards (including on ESF Streamlining initiatives), with reference to international good practices;
Participate in, develop and implement knowledge management and learning activities of the ESF, in collaboration with Regional, GP and OPCS colleagues;
For High-risk projects, as required, provide support to CESSO and RSA to engage in the supervision (implementation support) of Bank operations in relation to social policies and related project-specific social requirements;
Provide corporate / policy advice on social impact assessments, and on one or more of the following topics: stakeholder engagement, consultation plans; labor, gender, indigenous peoples' frameworks and plans, vulnerable groups, gender-based violence, land tenure and access, resettlement plans, human security, crime and violence, economic and social impacts, and occupational health and safety.
Selection Criteria
The Senior Social Specialist must be a team-oriented professional with proven ability to carry out complex tasks as part of multi-disciplinary teams, capacity to work under pressure, meet strict deadlines; and ability to work with and advise task teams and key stakeholders on social risks and impacts.
Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in social sciences, law, economics, or other relevant discipline;
At least eight years of full-time relevant experience with a sustained record of achieving high quality substantive results;
At least five years of full-time relevant experience in World Bank operations;
Experience in social risk management, preparation and/or review of project social risk and impact assessments, social management plans, capacity assessments and institutional strengthening measures;
ESF Accredited
Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement major projects and to produce major/complex reports or studies;
Good knowledge of the World Bank's E&S policies and standards, and social safeguard policies on Involuntary Resettlement, Indigenous Peoples, Labor, Human Rights, Citizen Engagement, Access to Information, Land Acquisition;
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; French or Spanish 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.
This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.
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.