Lead Environmental Specialist

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Job Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.

The South Asia Region comprises eight countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) that range in size from India (with a population of over 1 billion) to Maldives (with 0.3 million people). The region has experienced a long period of robust economic growth, averaging 6% a year over the past 20 years. It was the second-fastest growing region in the world in the aftermath of the global crisis. This strong growth has translated into declining poverty and impressive improvements in human development. The percentage of people living below the poverty line fell in South Asia from 56% to 16% between 1981 and 2013. Still, the region remains home to a third of the world’s poorest, with 216 million people living below $1.9/day.

The Environment and Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice (ENB GP (Global Practice)), located within the World Bank’s Planet Practice Group has been established to deliver on the opportunities, benefits and outcomes offered by enhanced management of the environment and natural resources!

ENB provides expertise, technical assistance and financing to help low- and middle-income countries manage land, sea and freshwater natural resources in a sustainable way to help create jobs, improve livelihoods, enhance ecosystem services, decrease pollution and increase resilience to climate change.! Over 360 ENB staff working across the globe help set developing countries on a clean, green growth trajectory for resilient economies and healthy communities.

The SSAE1 unit, covers two country units (India and Sri Lanka, Nepal and Maldives) and is one of two ENB units in the SAR region, comprises around 40 staff, with 95 percent based in Country Offices. The rest of the team is based in Washington DC.

Our India country office has approximately 150 staff, including about 18 experienced ENB staff and 1 ETC, providing a vibrant, collegial working environment.

The position

Internationally recruited staff are remunerated on an international pay scale and are expected to move to assignments in different regions approximately every four years. The Lead Environmental Specialist will report to the Practice Manager, Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy for South Asia/SSAE1 based in Singapore.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Working in close collaboration with the Environmental Risk Management Focal Point, Program Leader and other colleagues from ENB and other units, the Lead Environmental Specialist’s responsibilities will be to lead the overall ENB operational and analytical work program and team in India, and serve as the key technical focal point on technical issues in the area of their expertise. They will work according to an annual work plan, adjusted periodically as necessary.

The Lead Environmental Specialist’s responsibilities will include the following:

Country and ENB sector engagement dialogue:

Lead and support strategic dialogue and business development in India, working across all ENB business lines.
Provide intellectual leadership and technical expertise on one or more business lines.
Lead ENB inputs to preparation of country strategy products (SCD, CPFs, PLRs).
Maintain and build close relations with government, development partner and key private sector counterparts, keeping them informed on World Bank activities on relevant topics and provide local and global perspectives and insights.
Advise clients in the Government and staff on environmental, natural resource and climate change policy and technical matters.
Represent the Bank on environmental topics at high-level speaking events and engagements.
Working with the Country Environmental Risk Management Focal Point, support in-country environmental risk management oversight, thematic reviews, and disseminate lessons learned.
Assist in the coordination, design and delivery of knowledge management and training activities.

ENB India Program Strategy and Coordination:

Provide strategic leadership to the ENB team in India and ensure strategic alignment across ENB program.
Support the Practice Manager in the WPA preparation and discussion with CMU .
Maintain close relationship with/provide support to CMU regarding ENB topics and activities.
Lead/coordinate ENB feedback and inputs to country, regional or global products.
Participate in CMU Leadership Team meetings, coordinating closely with the Planet Sector leader.
Maintain and build a positive working environment for the ENB team, including coaching and/or mentoring of staff, and lead or contribute to team-building activities.
Support work program allocation to optimize resource use and talent.

Lending:

Lead/contribute to ENB operational engagement primarily in India, drawing on a range of lending and grant financing. This involves preparation and implementation of complex and multi-sectoral operations with investment, innovation and policy elements, in collaboration with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
Co-lead or be a technical team member on operations led by other Global Practices and Practice Groups including Investment Project Finance, PforRs and Development Policy Operations.
Conduct and or ensure timely project preparation, implementation support missions, and reporting; catalyze project disbursement; and provide technical leadership on ENB-related topics across India ENB program.
Coordinate operations with development partner activities and development partner technical assistance.
Support the Practice Manager in ensuring portfolio/pipeline quality and development of new business.

Non-Lending:

Mobilize grant and/or climate co-financing for IBRD/IDA operations or standalone grants.
Task lead or contribute to the preparation and implementation of complex grant-financed operations.
Provide strategic and technical leadership of programmatic ASAs/deliverables that span a range of environmental and NRM topics.
Co-lead or be a technical specialist on the PASAs or ASAs led by other GPs and PGs.
Collaborate closely with World Bank Global Practices and IFC/MIGA colleagues on joint projects and with other colleagues from other multilateral development institutions.
Coordinate and carry out other tasks as requested by the Manager, such as contributing to the organization of training or knowledge sharing events.

Selection Criteria

An advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in environmental/civil engineering, environment-related science/management or economics is required.
At least 12 years of full-time relevant professional practical experience in projects or policy dialogue related to environment or natural resources management, pollution management, climate change or environmental risk management is required.
Acknowledged technical and thought leadership on one or more of the following: 1) forest landscapes, oceans conservation/management, or biodiversity; 2) climate change; 3) pollution management (air, water, or soil); or 4) environmental risk management.
Proven track record of leading preparation and implementation support for IPF, PforR and DPO lending operations.
Demonstrated ability to lead high-quality policy-relevant analytical tasks linked to country development priorities and economic impacts and translate analytics into policy and operational relevant actions.
Demonstrated experience in leading strategic engagement and policy dialogue with multidisciplinary teams, and senior-level government, private sector, NGOs, international organizations, and/or development partners.
Strong results orientation, with ability to follow up multiple work-streams simultaneously working under tight timelines.
Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions.
Excellent inter-personal and team leadership skills and ability to easily interact with people of diverse backgrounds and seniority inside and outside the World Bank, including clients and partners.
Excellent writing and communication skills in English.
Experience working in developing countries required.