Environmental Specialist/Senior Specialist

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.

Source: https://iadbcareers.referrals.selectminds.com/jobs/environmental-specialist-senior-specialist-esg-cgu-6394