Environmental Specialist

Established in 1944, the World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. It uses financial resources and experience to help our client countries to reduce poverty, increase economic growth, and improve quality of life. To ensure that countries can access the best global expertise and help generate innovative knowledge, the World Bank Group is constantly seeking to improve the way it works. Key priorities include delivering measurable results, promoting openness and transparency in development, and improving access to development information and data. Innovation and partnership bond the five institutions of the World Bank Group (WBG): the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), which together form the World Bank; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries.

The Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy (ENB) Global Practice has five key business lines consisting of Lending and non-lending services in (1) Forests, Watersheds and Sustainable Landscapes (‘Green Business line’); (2) Marine, Coastal, Aquatic Resources and Ocean Health (‘Blue Economy Business line’); (3) Pollution Management and Environmental Health (‘Pollution Management Business line’); (4) Environmental Economics, Policies and Institutions Business line, and (5) Safeguards/ Environmental Risk Management Business line:  delivery of effective environmental risk management and sustainability by managing risk at the project level and creating opportunities to advance sustainable development. This includes provision of high-quality and timely safeguards services across the Bank, including current safeguards policies and the effective implementation of the new Environment and Social Framework (ESF) that was rolled out on October 1, 2018.

The ENB Global Practice in Sub Saharan Africa includes four units. Together we are supporting countries to strengthening their potential on main sustainable development priorities towards a livable planet including creating jobs and enhancing economies; supporting climate change adaptation and mitigation; investing in people; making institutions more efficient and sustainable; addressing issues of fragility, conflict, and violence; and build partnerships including with private sector across Africa region.

The hiring unit, SAWE4, covers Western and Central Africa; and manage operations in a variety of areas such as natural resources management, coastal zone management, forestry, pollution management, climate change, landscape, and terrestrial and marine natural resources, in three country management units (CMU) including Nigeria. In addition, the unit, like other ENB GP units provides environmental safeguards and ESF services across all sectors and operations. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

SAWE4 is seeking a highly qualified Environmental Specialist who will work on ESF/Safeguards, providing environmental risk management support to World Bank projects and identify new business opportunities on ENB in the Nigeria CMU. The selected candidate will be based in the World Bank office in Abuja, Nigeria and will have reporting relationship to the SAWE4 Practice Manager based in Washington DC.

The specialist would provide environmental impact/risk management project support in the following areas: 

• Overall, ensure the effective integration of environmental due diligence as defined by the WBG ESF, Safeguard Policies, as well as the international good practice standards (Equator Principles) into the design, appraisal, and implementation of WBG financed projects.
• During project preparation, assess the project’s potential environmental footprint and determine which of the Bank’s safeguards policies and/or ESS will be triggered; guide the borrower/project implementation agency in process of preparing the necessary safeguard instruments and review them for quality; provide well-written summaries of key safeguards instruments for inclusion in project documentation; and assist with the Environmental and Social Risk Classifications (ESRCs) and the preparation of the Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs).
• Provide expert guidance and support for the screening of Bank projects for environmental risks, impacts, and vulnerabilities and identify risk management opportunities including labor influx, occupational health and safety and climate change mitigation and adaptation in Bank projects
• In accordance with the Bank’s ESF, determine and manage E&S risk, use the ESSs related guidance and good practice notes, as well as internationally accepted good industry practice for informed decision making.
• Ensure compliance of all project financed activities, including those relating to associated facilities with the WB’s Safeguards policies and the ESSs and the Bank Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines, as well as Good International Industry Practice (GIIP).
• During both preparation and implementation: seek opportunities to improve the environmental outcomes of the project including its design. Work closely with the project task team and especially the Social Safeguards Specialist assigned to each operation and provide back up support as required.
• Using the ESCP as a key tool, provide expert advice to borrowers/recipients on the assessment of environmental risks, evaluate all relevant information, recommend solutions and ensure detailed, targeted management and action plans are developed and steps taken for projects to comply with the Bank’s ESF.
• Work with the Regional ESF/Safeguards Coordinator, as well as with other dedicated environmental safeguards specialists and STCs; and foster cross-sectoral collaboration with the Social Team.
• Identify and develop new business in ENB in the CMU using pollution abatement, environmental management, Forestry, and Biodiversity as entry points, and contribute as required to the broader work of ENB GP on improving environmental sustainability.
• Participate in review meetings and represent SAWE4 in relevant Bank-wide initiatives; represent the Bank in donor meetings on the environment; and contribute to knowledge generation and dissemination within the region and beyond.
• Regularly update and complete all project related reporting requirements in Bank system and provide project related synopsis to management as and when required.

Selection Criteria

• A Master’s degree or above in environmental/civil engineering, environmental or natural resource management science, environmental policy, or similar relevant disciplines.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the environmental sector, including proven experience in environment, health, and safety (EHS); environment impact assessment; risk assessment; occupational, health and safety (OHS); due diligence, environmental site assessment, stakeholder engagement and compliance audits.
• Good knowledge of the EIA process, procedures, and legislation as well as their compliance and implementation in Nigeria.  Knowledge of environmental legislation, regulatory and institutional arrangements in other African countries will be an advantage.
• Experience with the application of the World Bank’s environmental safeguards policies; and solid knowledge of the ESF.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international standards and codes of practices in the environment sector including WBG Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). ESF accredited is certainly an advantage.
• Having work experience in an FCV locations is a plus.
• Excellent workflow management and task organization skills; able to coordinate all aspects of the workflow of assigned responsibilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to draft concise reports and correspondence, and ability to defend orally and in writing difficult issues and positions to a variety of stakeholders.
• Good team player who can work as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, motivate and lead group efforts and network effectively across boundaries.
• Well-developed interpersonal, communication, and writing skills, including the ability to write concisely and translate technical knowledge and ideas into fluent and understandable English.
• High motivation, flexibility, reliability, and a proactive approach to working with all staff in a team-driven environment, and initiative and ability to work on his/her own.
• Experience in engaging with government and private sector counterparts and facilitating deliberations among various stakeholders.
• Experience in working with clients to achieve compliance and leads discussions on environmental matters.
• Willingness to travel extensively nationally, regionally, and internationally is required, also to remote areas and to countries/areas with FCV.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=27191&site=1