Environmental Specialist/Senior Specialist (ESG/CGU)  

The IDB Group is a community of diverse, versatile, and passionate people who come together on a journey to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.

About this position

We are seeking an exceptionally skilled and motivated professional to join our team as an Environmental Specialist/Senior Specialist. In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on promoting the Bank’s strategic social and environmental priorities and ensuring the sustainability of IDB financed projects and activities. As part of our diverse and versatile community, you will work in an inclusive, collaborative, and agile environment that fosters personal and professional growth.

The Environmental and Social Solutions Unit (VPS/ESG) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is responsible for ensuring that IDB financed projects and other activities are environmentally and socially sustainable and follow the Bank’s ESPF and previous environmental and social (E&S) policies. Specialists in VPS/ESG provide the Bank and its borrowers with guidance on environmental and social safeguard issues and participate in project teams, providing technical input on social and environmental issues during project preparation/due-diligence and supervision.

What you’ll do:

As an Environmental Specialist/Senior Specialist, you will play a crucial role in supporting the execution and preparation our operations and ensuring compliance with the IDB’s Environmental and Social Policy Framework (ESPF) and Safeguards Policies in the CID region (i.e. Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, EL Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic).

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the execution of public sector projects, which is the focus of the position, with high and substantial environmental and social risk in several sectors in Guatemala and the CID region, such as transportation, energy, housing and urban development, and water and sanitation, by ensuring the correct implementation of project mitigation plans and compliance with IDB E&S policies. The task entails carrying out at least one yearly supervision mission to each of the assigned projects and provide ongoing support for project execution related to all environmental and social aspects according to Bank Policies and prepare reports on compliance with the Bank Policies’ requirements.
• Support the preparation of public projects (category A, B or FIs with high and substantial E&S risks) in CID region together with other ESG specialists. The task entails carrying out several missions (identification, analysis, orientation etc.) to each of the assigned projects and provide ongoing support for project preparation related to all environmental and social aspects according to Bank Policies and prepare documentation on compliance with the Bank Policies’ requirements.
• Updating the environmental and social risk ratings (ESRR) of projects throughout their lifecycle based on ongoing supervision findings.
• Carrying out the due diligence of environmental aspects related to public sector projects, which may involve community and occupational health and safety, pollution prevention, stakeholder engagement (including grievance mechanism), among others.
• Reviewing and providing input on terms of reference, drafts and final versions of environmental and social management systems, environmental and social assessments and management plans, and other related documents required by Bank Policies.
• Participating in meetings with implementing agencies and project team leaders to carry out supervision and/or preparation activities for projects. This entails providing guidance on the application of Bank Policies’ requirements.
• Providing training on Bank Safeguards Policies or the ESPF to implementing agencies, internal clients, and other key partners (i.e. contractors) involved.
• Participating in training programs to enhance your understanding of the ESPF and further develop your expertise.

What you’ll need

To be successful in this role, you should possess the following qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree or equivalent in environmental sciences, or a related field.
• Experience: We are looking for candidates with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in supervising, preparing or implementing environmental and social policies and mitigation plans. Proven previous experience in a similar role in IDB or in another development institution, ideally in Guatemala and the Central American region, is desired.
• Languages: Fluency in Spanish and proficiency in English, spoken and written, is required.
• Core and Technical Competencies: In this role, you will need to demonstrate technical knowledge and experience in implementing the IDB’s E&S policies or other multilateral development bank E&S policies. Additionally, you should have project management skills and experience leading the environmental and social due diligence and supervision of multilateral financed projects. Strong communication, collaboration, and teamwork abilities, along with strong communication skills in English, are also essential.

Key skills

To excel in this position, you should possess the following key skills:

• Mentor and develop
• Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Focus on clients 
• Communicate and influence 
• Innovate and try new things

Requirements

• Citizenship: You should be a citizen of one of our 48-member countries. We may provide relocation and visa assistance for you and your eligible dependents.
• Consanguinity: You should not have any family members (up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB, IDB Invest, or IDB Lab.

Type of contract and duration

• Contract: International staff contract, initially for 36 months, renewable upon mutual agreement.
• Starting date: Q4 2024
• Supervision: You will report to the Senior Social Specialist and Group Head for CID, and the Bank’s Representative in Guatemala City. You will also work closely with the IDB Chief of Operations in Guatemala.

What we offer

The IDB Group provides benefits that respond to the different needs and moments of an employee’s life. These benefits include:

• A competitive compensation package, including an annual base salary expressed on a net-of-tax basis.
• Leaves and vacations: 24 days of paid time off + 8 personal days + sick leave + gender-neutral parental leave.
• Health Insurance: IDB Group provides employees and eligible dependents with a robust medical benefits program that covers medical, dental, vision, preventive care, and prescription drugs.
• Pension plan: defined benefit pension plan that provides financial security and support employees in planning for their future.
  We offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your family when it applies.
• Hybrid and flexible work schedules.
• Health and well-being: access to our Health Services Center that provides preventative care and health education for employees.
• Development support: we offer tools to boost your professional profile, such as mentoring, 1:1 professional counseling, training and learning opportunities, language classes, mobility options, among others.
• Other perks: Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, Spouse Career Program, and others.
   

Our culture

At IDB Group, we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work, willing to try new approaches without fear, and where they are accountable and rewarded for their actions.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are at the center of our organization. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity and encourage women, LGBTQ+ people, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job interview process. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] to request reasonable accommodation to complete this application.

Our Human Resources Team carefully reviews every application.

About the IDB Group

The IDB Group, composed of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IDB Invest, and the IDB Lab, offers flexible financing solutions to its member countries to finance economic and social development through lending source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

About IDB

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts innovative research and provides policy advice, technical assistance, and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.

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https://www.facebook.com/IADB.org 

https://twitter.com/the_IDB 

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