Senior Social Development Specialist

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Description

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• Work with the Country Management Unit (CMU), the Social Risk Management Coordinator, the Regional Standards Coordinator, Regional Safeguards Advisor, task teams and other colleagues to provide high quality technical support for social risk management for the project portfolio in Cote d’Ivoire CMU, with a particular focus on involuntary resettlement and livelihood restoration.
• Undertake policy dialogue with clients regarding social sustainability and social risk management and provide technical support for social sustainable and inclusive development, particularly relating to complex involuntary resettlement and livelihoods, labor issues (forced labor, SEA/H and child labor), social inclusion and vulnerability, risk mitigation and institutional capacity building and other efforts to improve social outcomes for Bank financed projects.
• Manage and provide technical support for complex technical, institutional and program implementation issues regarding social sustainable and inclusive development and lead the related dialogue with counterparts in collaboration with the CMU Social Risk/Safeguards Coordinator, the Regional Standards Coordinator and task teams.
• Lead capacity building efforts for social risk management with clients and country system strengthening for social risk management.
• Participate in comprehensive thematic portfolio reviews and lead efforts to address poor performance, non- compliance and improving social impact.
• Lead technical support for sustainable local and national consultation and citizen engagement mechanisms and strategies in the Cote d’Ivoire CMU.  “
• Advise and participate in project teams to help develop innovative operational designs and mechanisms to assess social opportunities, impacts, constraints and risks, develop and evaluate proposed technical solutions and assist in the preparation of project documentation. 
• Participate in cross-practice teams for the preparation of policy notes, Country Partnership Frameworks, and research and policy development activities on the full range of social sustainability and inclusion topics. 
• Engage in the Bank-wide professional community of staff in social sustainability and inclusion and social standards/safeguards by participating in thematic groups, exchanging best practices, and drafting technical notes.
• Develop and build relations within the Bank and with clients and other development partners and contribute to generating new business for the Bank.
• Contribute to team building within the CMU social development team through collaboration, knowledge sharing, learning activities and team meetings.

• This is a position suited for a constructive, highly motivated team player with an eye for detail, an understanding of the bigger picture context of operations, and creative problem-solving abilities. The successful candidate should have strong social risk management skill including involuntary resettlement and livelihood restoration, analytical skills, and be able to integrate social sustainable and inclusive development considerations in an operational context.
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in social sciences (anthropology, sociology, political economy, social development, etc.) or related fields.
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience addressing issues covered by the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and social safeguards policies or similar policies in other international financial institutions.
• This includes experience with: environmental and social assessments (ESIAs) and analyzing social risks and impacts for different population groups; complex involuntary resettlement in different socio-economic contexts and tenure systems; sustainable livelihood restoration plans and socio-economic development strategies; vulnerable groups’ issues; coordination of transparent consultative and stakeholder engagement processes; grievance redress mechanisms; integration of relevant planning instruments such as Resettlement Action Plans into overall project planning and implementation; labor and working conditions; community health and safety; and cultural heritage. 
• Extensive experience with complex involuntary resettlement and livelihood restoration.
• Experience in specific areas of social sustainability and inclusion such as gender, disability, FCV, stakeholder and citizen engagement.
• Experience in social sustainability and risk management policy development, including dialogue with governments, and collaboration in these areas with other international development agencies. Demonstrated experience in interacting with governments to bring about changes to the policy.
• Experience working on social sustainability and risk management issues in multiple regions/countries.
• Experience with consultative and participatory approaches to project design and implementation as well as grievance redress mechanisms to ensure accountability and problem-solving in a timely fashion.
• Proven experience leading complex cross-cutting analytical work related to social sustainability and inclusion.
• Ability to present complex social development and ESF/safeguards issues to task teams and Bank audiences, and to engage effectively with government counterparts, the private sector, project beneficiaries and civil society.  
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and team skills, and ability to think innovatively and strategically to find balanced solutions to complex development problems, with a strong client focus. 
• Focus on achieving results and identifying mission-driven solutions for the client; acting with integrity at all times to build trust and to create an enabling work environment, whether as a team leader or a team member; recommending and taking decisive action and providing clear guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to create, apply and share knowledge from a range of sources to strengthen internal and or external client solutions.
• Ability to work across Bank global practices, work in cross-thematic teams, foster teamwork, and mentor junior staff.
• Very high level of energy, initiative, and self-motivation; willingness to travel.
• Excellent oral and writing skills in English and French is essential.

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