Environmental and Social Development Specialist – GF  

IFC a member of the World Bank Group is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.

In addition to its investment support activities, IFC provides Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Advisory Services (AS) both to its clients and at the market level. IFC’s ESG Advisory Services help individual IFC clients with enhancing their ESG practices and getting them investment ready, as well as complementary market-level programs engaging with regulators and industry associations on developing sector-wide ESG standards and guidelines, training market level institutions (training institutes, consultants) and providing awareness raising and capacity building activities.

IFC is seeking a dynamic, motivated Environmental & Social (E&S) Specialist with strong communication, interpersonal, excellent project management and analytical skills to support its ESG AS in the Africa region. This professional will provide E&S guidance to IFC’s ESG AS on matters related to the IFC Performance Standards (PS) and Sustainability Policy, with the goal of promoting high-impact market and client-level projects that help IFC clients attract financing.

Although based in Johannesburg and primarily mapped to Southern and Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, the position will support projects throughout the entire Africa region.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Independently manage, as Project Leader (PL), the preparation and delivery of a select number of ESG AS projects (including ESG operations-led projects, or ESG components of engagements led by other units in the region) and provide E&S cross-support to other PLs and projects.

• Lead or contribute to the design and implementation of E&S related aspects of IFC’s ESG AS projects in Africa focused on clients and markets.

• Support the preparation of new ESG AS projects including identification of project countries and key areas of support, undertake baseline assessments, design project components and activities, develop project budgets and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Frameworks, and draft high-quality project documents including concept notes and implementation plans.

• Lead on technical implementation of all project activities (e.g. led engagement with all project partners, prepare technical inputs and feedback on ESG guidelines and regulations, develop course materials and deliver workshop/trainings, undertake diagnostics of client’s ESG practices, preparation of Advisory Services proposals and taking the lead on Advisory Services support delivery) and oversee all tasks supported by consultants, ensuring highest levels of product quality and client service at the project level.

• Engagement and follow up with local partners including leading discussions on activities to be supported, preparation of project implementation plans, development of cooperation agreements and execution of all project activities.

• Draft and process all program related documents including workplans, terms of reference, Integrity Due Diligence project budget updates, extension memo’s etc. in line with IFC’s AS governance procedures.

• Identify and anticipate financial project needs, develop detailed project budgets, and manage and report on financial performance according to plans, and undertake procurement for all project related activities.

• Monitor development results, collect and enter all relevant evidence to substantiate project results in Advisory Services Operations Portal (ASOP), and ensure legal agreements are filed.

• Prepare Project Status Reports and ensure supervision reports for all projects managed, including ASOP and M&E Framework updates are submitted in time in accordance with IFC’s AS operational guidelines.

• Prepare Project Completion Reports that are of high quality and adhere to the Independent Evaluations Group evaluation criteria.

• Work with donor team to manage current project donor relationship, including (but not limited to) preparing donor reports, attending meetings, and managing donor relationships in local country offices.

• Manage internal and external reporting, communication and ESG AS Program promotion across key stakeholders.

• Consolidate and analyze lessons learned from project implementation experiences and sharing with team members and colleagues across the Region and globally.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Masters) in science, engineering, sociology or other relevant disciplines.

• Minimum of seven years professional experience working on E&S management, monitoring and/or due diligence, with a preference for private sector experience in the Africa region.

• Experience working with IFC/World Bank/E&S Policies and Standards.

• Willingness to travel regularly.

• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and summarize diverse sources and draw conclusions from limited data.

• Demonstrated track record of designing and delivering training on E&S.

• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely on complex E&S issues in spoken and written form.

• Excellent project management skills including work planning, budgeting; monitoring and evaluation. Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize, deal with frequent unexpected changes, and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines. Attention to detail a must.

• Driven self-starter with a high degree of responsiveness, proactivity and excellent collaboration skills.

• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, work effectively in and influence a team, and network effectively across boundaries.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.

• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with the ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner, respond diplomatically and remain calm under pressure.

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.

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