Senior Environmental Specialist
Apply NowCompany: The World Bank Group
Location: Washington, DC 20011
Description:
Senior Environmental Specialist
Job #:
req32755
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Environment
Grade:
GG
Term Duration:
3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
4/25/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
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
The position
This position will be based in Washington DC and will focuson quality control for environmental risk management and providingenvironmental safeguard support to substantial and high risk projects. Africahas significant challenges in expanding and enhancing infrastructure across allsectors. As a result, the Bank has been investing heavily in infrastructure inAfrican countries, requiring qualified technical staff to implement the Bank'senvironmental risk management policies (including the Safeguard Policies andthe Environmental and Social Framework, or ESF). All World Bank-supportedinvestment projects must meet ambitious environmental management standards. TheEnvironment Department is responsible for providing technical support andoversight to all investment projects to meet these obligations. While theprimary responsibility of this position is on environmental risk management,there will be some demand for support on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS),clean-up of contaminated sites, pollution and waste management, ecologicalrestoration of landscapes, and flood management for large infrastructureprojects.
There will also be responsibility for analytical work,technical assistance to counterparts and representation of the Bank onenvironmental and social risk management.
The Senior Environmental Specialist will have the followingkey responsibilities:
Environmental Risk Management - Quality Assurance function
The primary task for this assignment (anticipated to be atleast 50 percent of the workload) will be to provide a quality control functionfor ESF packages as part of the East Africa ESF quality control team under theRegional Standards Coordinator (RSC) in the East Africa region who isresponsible for assigning tasks to ESF staff and ensuring the quality of theESF work and environmental risk management in the Region. Tasks will includethe following:
At concept stage, review the Concept Environmental andSocial Review Summary (ESRS)/package regardless of the Environmental and SocialRisk Classification (ESRC). At appraisal stage, review the Decision Meetingpackages for Substantial Risk projects, including the Appraisal ESRS, andE&S instruments needing to be disclosed prior to appraisal, in closecollaboration with the RSC and the Regional Standards Advisor (RSA). Duringimplementation, review relevant environmental instruments prepared followingBoard approval for Substantial risk projects.
Provide expert advice to clients and counterpartorganizations, project teams and WBG management with regard to the preparationof a wide range of ESF instruments including environmental and social impactassessments, environmental and social management plans, cumulative impactassessments, strategic environmental and social management plans, etc.,following the ESF streamlining approach adopted by the Bank in October2023.
Provide experienced mentorship and training to projectteams and clients in the preparation of project cycle ESF documentation,including terms of reference (ToR) for ESF instruments, such as environmentaland social assessments (incl. strategic, regional and cumulative);environmental and social management frameworks and associated environmentalmanagement plans; contract specifications related to environmental riskmanagement, particularly for large infrastructure projects; and supervisingtheir implementation.
Resolve project related questions from Bank staff andclients related to the interpretation of the Bank safeguards policies/ESSs,especially related to OP 4.01 and/or the Environmental and Social Standards1(ESS1) under the guidance of the Regional Standards Coordinator.
Provide guidance to Task Teams, Accredited EnvironmentalSpecialists, Task Team Leaders, consultants and support staff on meeting therequirements of the ESF, technical concerns and ESF/safeguards process flow.
Collaborate with World Bank Departments and IFC/MIGAcolleagues on joint projects as well as other colleagues from multilateraldevelopment institutions when supporting same projects, understanding andimplementing a common approach.
Environmental Risk Management - ADM Environmental Specialist
As needed, act as ADM (accountability and decision-making)environmental specialist for the preparation and/or supervision of substantialto high-risk operations/projects, in close collaboration with socialcolleagues, RSC and RSA, including the following tasks:
Work closely with the AFE RSCs and RSA responsible forassigning safeguards tasks and ensuring the quality of the safeguards work andenvironmental risk management in the Region.
Work in close collaboration with the Task Team leader andsocial colleagues during the project cycle for the preparation of Banks ESFdocuments (including Concept and Appraisal ESRS and Environmental and SocialCommitment Plan) as well as reviewing Borrowers' ESF instruments as needed.Participate in Bank missions and review meetings during the preparation andimplementation phases of the project.
Ensure the effective integration into the design,appraisal and implementation of WBG-supported projects of environment, healthand safety due diligence as defined by the ESF (or World Bank OperationalPolicies on safeguards, for older projects), as well as WBG EHS guidelines andother international good practice documents.
Provide guidance to clients and counterpart organizationsin their preparation of project documents in accordance with the ESF and WorldBank operational policies, including Environment and Social Commitment Plans(ESCPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEPs), Labor Management Procedures(LMPs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Grievance RedressMechanisms (GRMs), and Project Implementation Manuals (PIMs). Assist withhandling timely and accurate disclosure procedures and public consultationrequirements for all required environmental assessment and managementinstruments.
Provide advice and mentorship to client and counterpartorganizations for the preparation and implementation of environmental impactassessments, including strategic and cumulative impact assessments;environmental management frameworks and plans, including plans for monitoring,reporting and evaluation; public consultation plans; and specific plans relatedto natural habitats conservation, natural resource management, resource useefficiency, waste management, traffic safety management, pest management, forestmanagement, biodiversity management, occupational health and safety, and damsafety and international waterways management, to achieve good internationalindustry practice. Such advice will be based on analysis of baselineconditions, project scope, anticipated impacts and proportional mitigationmeasures, as well as national requirements, and will ensure compliance with WBGESF and applicable operational policies.
Advisory and Analytical Work
Organize and provide needs assessments, capacity buildingand technical training on environmental, health and safety risk management fornational agencies and local governments, as well as public and private sectortrainers and practitioners, with a particular focus on building nationaltraining capacity in these areas. Collaborate closely with other World Bankteams to integrate the development of environmental, health and safety riskmanagement capacity into sectoral programs, and provide support to theestablishment of Learning Centers in some CMUs.
Facilitate and maintain effective communication withrelevant communities of practice, including NGOs, academia, civil society, theprivate sector as well as specialized international organizations in line withthe Bank's Disclosure Policy and need to harmonize with clients and otherinternational financial institutions in the region. In particular, activeparticipation in communities of practice and global level technical innovationand knowledge sharing in the area of pollution management, flood management,forestry and land restoration will be an important component of thisposition.
Lead or be a team member in the conduct and/or updating ofOverview Assessments.
Actively seek to learn World Bank Group procedures, andcontribute to their improvement, by participating in training offered, bydeveloping a personal training program, keeping abreast of research anddevelopment knowledge in the environment and natural resources sector, andrelevant ESF/safeguard management process.
Coordinate and carry out other tasks as requested by therelevant Manager, for example to contribute to the organization oftraining or knowledge sharing events.
Selection Criteria
It is expected that the successful candidate will meet the following selection criteria:
The following are required:
Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in environmental/natural sciences or environmental/civil engineering.
A minimum of 8 years of full-time relevant professional experience in environmental, health and safety risk management, including experience in large infrastructure projects, extractive or industrial activities, and the application of WBG ESF and safeguard policies, including in the preparation of WBG environmental safeguard/risk management documents.
Technical experience in the management of the environmental, health and safety risks of large hydraulic infrastructure, e.g. dams, irrigation schemes and large water conveyance systems, would be highly beneficial.
Demonstrated project management/operational skills, including occupational health and safety management and experience working with contractors with weak implementation capacity.
Ability to work well with a range of stakeholders, including project-affected parties, government officials, non-governmental organizations / civil society, as well as project investors and their staff. Experience in capacity building for environmental, health and safety risk management would be beneficial.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Diplomatic approach and ability to work under pressure.
Experience working in developing countries, understanding the institutional and political context and exposure to the national environmental policy challenges. Experience working in FCV countries would be beneficial.
Fluency in English is required (writing, speaking, listening and reading).
Good analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse qualitative and quantitative environmentally related data and information.
Willingness to travel extensively in the East Africa region, including to remote rural areas.
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 #:
req32755
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Environment
Grade:
GG
Term Duration:
3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
4/25/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
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
The position
This position will be based in Washington DC and will focuson quality control for environmental risk management and providingenvironmental safeguard support to substantial and high risk projects. Africahas significant challenges in expanding and enhancing infrastructure across allsectors. As a result, the Bank has been investing heavily in infrastructure inAfrican countries, requiring qualified technical staff to implement the Bank'senvironmental risk management policies (including the Safeguard Policies andthe Environmental and Social Framework, or ESF). All World Bank-supportedinvestment projects must meet ambitious environmental management standards. TheEnvironment Department is responsible for providing technical support andoversight to all investment projects to meet these obligations. While theprimary responsibility of this position is on environmental risk management,there will be some demand for support on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS),clean-up of contaminated sites, pollution and waste management, ecologicalrestoration of landscapes, and flood management for large infrastructureprojects.
There will also be responsibility for analytical work,technical assistance to counterparts and representation of the Bank onenvironmental and social risk management.
The Senior Environmental Specialist will have the followingkey responsibilities:
Environmental Risk Management - Quality Assurance function
The primary task for this assignment (anticipated to be atleast 50 percent of the workload) will be to provide a quality control functionfor ESF packages as part of the East Africa ESF quality control team under theRegional Standards Coordinator (RSC) in the East Africa region who isresponsible for assigning tasks to ESF staff and ensuring the quality of theESF work and environmental risk management in the Region. Tasks will includethe following:
At concept stage, review the Concept Environmental andSocial Review Summary (ESRS)/package regardless of the Environmental and SocialRisk Classification (ESRC). At appraisal stage, review the Decision Meetingpackages for Substantial Risk projects, including the Appraisal ESRS, andE&S instruments needing to be disclosed prior to appraisal, in closecollaboration with the RSC and the Regional Standards Advisor (RSA). Duringimplementation, review relevant environmental instruments prepared followingBoard approval for Substantial risk projects.
Provide expert advice to clients and counterpartorganizations, project teams and WBG management with regard to the preparationof a wide range of ESF instruments including environmental and social impactassessments, environmental and social management plans, cumulative impactassessments, strategic environmental and social management plans, etc.,following the ESF streamlining approach adopted by the Bank in October2023.
Provide experienced mentorship and training to projectteams and clients in the preparation of project cycle ESF documentation,including terms of reference (ToR) for ESF instruments, such as environmentaland social assessments (incl. strategic, regional and cumulative);environmental and social management frameworks and associated environmentalmanagement plans; contract specifications related to environmental riskmanagement, particularly for large infrastructure projects; and supervisingtheir implementation.
Resolve project related questions from Bank staff andclients related to the interpretation of the Bank safeguards policies/ESSs,especially related to OP 4.01 and/or the Environmental and Social Standards1(ESS1) under the guidance of the Regional Standards Coordinator.
Provide guidance to Task Teams, Accredited EnvironmentalSpecialists, Task Team Leaders, consultants and support staff on meeting therequirements of the ESF, technical concerns and ESF/safeguards process flow.
Collaborate with World Bank Departments and IFC/MIGAcolleagues on joint projects as well as other colleagues from multilateraldevelopment institutions when supporting same projects, understanding andimplementing a common approach.
Environmental Risk Management - ADM Environmental Specialist
As needed, act as ADM (accountability and decision-making)environmental specialist for the preparation and/or supervision of substantialto high-risk operations/projects, in close collaboration with socialcolleagues, RSC and RSA, including the following tasks:
Work closely with the AFE RSCs and RSA responsible forassigning safeguards tasks and ensuring the quality of the safeguards work andenvironmental risk management in the Region.
Work in close collaboration with the Task Team leader andsocial colleagues during the project cycle for the preparation of Banks ESFdocuments (including Concept and Appraisal ESRS and Environmental and SocialCommitment Plan) as well as reviewing Borrowers' ESF instruments as needed.Participate in Bank missions and review meetings during the preparation andimplementation phases of the project.
Ensure the effective integration into the design,appraisal and implementation of WBG-supported projects of environment, healthand safety due diligence as defined by the ESF (or World Bank OperationalPolicies on safeguards, for older projects), as well as WBG EHS guidelines andother international good practice documents.
Provide guidance to clients and counterpart organizationsin their preparation of project documents in accordance with the ESF and WorldBank operational policies, including Environment and Social Commitment Plans(ESCPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEPs), Labor Management Procedures(LMPs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Grievance RedressMechanisms (GRMs), and Project Implementation Manuals (PIMs). Assist withhandling timely and accurate disclosure procedures and public consultationrequirements for all required environmental assessment and managementinstruments.
Provide advice and mentorship to client and counterpartorganizations for the preparation and implementation of environmental impactassessments, including strategic and cumulative impact assessments;environmental management frameworks and plans, including plans for monitoring,reporting and evaluation; public consultation plans; and specific plans relatedto natural habitats conservation, natural resource management, resource useefficiency, waste management, traffic safety management, pest management, forestmanagement, biodiversity management, occupational health and safety, and damsafety and international waterways management, to achieve good internationalindustry practice. Such advice will be based on analysis of baselineconditions, project scope, anticipated impacts and proportional mitigationmeasures, as well as national requirements, and will ensure compliance with WBGESF and applicable operational policies.
Advisory and Analytical Work
Organize and provide needs assessments, capacity buildingand technical training on environmental, health and safety risk management fornational agencies and local governments, as well as public and private sectortrainers and practitioners, with a particular focus on building nationaltraining capacity in these areas. Collaborate closely with other World Bankteams to integrate the development of environmental, health and safety riskmanagement capacity into sectoral programs, and provide support to theestablishment of Learning Centers in some CMUs.
Facilitate and maintain effective communication withrelevant communities of practice, including NGOs, academia, civil society, theprivate sector as well as specialized international organizations in line withthe Bank's Disclosure Policy and need to harmonize with clients and otherinternational financial institutions in the region. In particular, activeparticipation in communities of practice and global level technical innovationand knowledge sharing in the area of pollution management, flood management,forestry and land restoration will be an important component of thisposition.
Lead or be a team member in the conduct and/or updating ofOverview Assessments.
Actively seek to learn World Bank Group procedures, andcontribute to their improvement, by participating in training offered, bydeveloping a personal training program, keeping abreast of research anddevelopment knowledge in the environment and natural resources sector, andrelevant ESF/safeguard management process.
Coordinate and carry out other tasks as requested by therelevant Manager, for example to contribute to the organization oftraining or knowledge sharing events.
Selection Criteria
It is expected that the successful candidate will meet the following selection criteria:
The following are required:
Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in environmental/natural sciences or environmental/civil engineering.
A minimum of 8 years of full-time relevant professional experience in environmental, health and safety risk management, including experience in large infrastructure projects, extractive or industrial activities, and the application of WBG ESF and safeguard policies, including in the preparation of WBG environmental safeguard/risk management documents.
Technical experience in the management of the environmental, health and safety risks of large hydraulic infrastructure, e.g. dams, irrigation schemes and large water conveyance systems, would be highly beneficial.
Demonstrated project management/operational skills, including occupational health and safety management and experience working with contractors with weak implementation capacity.
Ability to work well with a range of stakeholders, including project-affected parties, government officials, non-governmental organizations / civil society, as well as project investors and their staff. Experience in capacity building for environmental, health and safety risk management would be beneficial.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Diplomatic approach and ability to work under pressure.
Experience working in developing countries, understanding the institutional and political context and exposure to the national environmental policy challenges. Experience working in FCV countries would be beneficial.
Fluency in English is required (writing, speaking, listening and reading).
Good analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse qualitative and quantitative environmentally related data and information.
Willingness to travel extensively in the East Africa region, including to remote rural areas.
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.