Lead Natural Resources Management Specialist

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. For more information, www.worldbank.org

The South Asia Region Context

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 after 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 South Asia Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar

The SAR ENB (SSAEN) program is one of ENB’s largest, comprising over $900 million of loan financing support under implementation, with another several hundred million in the Fy25-26 pipeline, all towards a program on green, inclusive and resilient development, including a focus on sustainable landscapes and forests, oceans and pollution management, reflecting the critical importance of renewable natural resources for the economy and jobs. SAR NRM assets are also tied closely with South Asia longer term development. However, these resources are under significant pressure, with deforestation and land use change, land and water pollution, and coastal and marine resources management facing important challenges.

SSAEN2 is seeking to recruit a Lead Natural Resources Management Specialist. While based in Washington, DC the candidate is expected to work across all countries in South Asia. The position requires frequent travel across countries in the Region. Working in close collaboration with the different country programs and having significant experience in large scale programmatic engagement including in operational, large scale cross sector collaboration within and beyond SD, the Lead Natural Resources Management Specialist’s responsibilities will be strategic and operational leadership to the ENB’s NRM program in SASEN2 . S/he will work according to an annual work plan, adjusted periodically as necessary. S/he will report to the SSAEN Practice Manager (SSAEN2), based in Washington, DC.

Job duties and responsibilities: 

• Lead the identification, design and implementation support of natural resource management lending programs and projects, including through leading preparation of detailed technical and operational design elements, with a primary focus on large landscape and forest programs and platforms, and contribution to the resilience agenda of the region.
• Ensure and maintain effective communication and coordination with regional, national and local partners, including government, civil society, academic/research institutions, the private sector, and bilateral and multilateral development partner agencies. Partnership development and joining efforts in country dialogue and financing, across institutions, financial sources and expertise will be a key focus of this position.
• Contribute to and/or lead analytical inputs in support of the SAR’s sustainable landscapes.  Assess and advise on policy frameworks, particularly around trade-offs between agriculture and land/forest/water management, promoting sustainable development of landscapes habitats, and/or community natural resources management.
• Support capacity building needs of/knowledge sharing opportunities for key partners, through developing programs to build capacity/share knowledge at technical and administrative levels and deliver related training in support of the implementation of the new Knowledge Compact.
• Provide and mobilize strategic technical assistance in support of client’s needs to improve capacity for natural resources management, from within and outside the Bank’s global network.
• Produce and present major/complex reports, including the supervision, coordination and quality control of lending and non-lending products.
• Ensure strong regional knowledge sharing, dissemination and awareness raising activities with key clients.
• Participate, contribute and shape specific areas of upcoming SCDs/CPFs/PLRs, in support of, and together with the country team, including the strategic vision for a program pillar(s) and its results framework.
• Lead, support the development and implementation of the large scale natural resources management strategies and programs in countries and facilitates, engages in and shapes high level policy dialogues on natural resources-related topics.
• Lead the development of new business opportunities in natural resources management and landscapes.
• Working across sectors, engage with GPs and PGs colleagues, CMUs and clients to develop and ensure effective, impactful program priorities at scale to address client needs, expected program results, and mix of interventions in the context of the implementation of the Evolution Road Map which will be front and center to guide the work of the Lead Specialist
• Ensure collaboration among the WB, IFC and MIGA to develop integrated programs and, to provide integrated technical and financial solutions to clients, including climate finance.
• Ensure an emphasis on thematic, multi-sectoral work, with clear results and impact oriented frameworks.
• In collaboration with Practice Manager, coaches and mentors in-country staff working on the NRM program. Serve as a mentor to more junior specialists in the Unit. 

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in environmental science, natural resources management, environmental management, or related disciplines.
• Minimum 12 years of proven experience as environmental assessment and management professional. Experience in at least two regions, a corporate assignment or similar experience that builds global expertise and client facing skills. Strong Country Office experience would be a plus.
• Sound knowledge of United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change, and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change GHG accounting methodologies, or similar standards, is an advantage.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently, including to developing countries and possibly remote, fragile and conflict affected areas, is required.
• Collaborate with a range of stakeholders, including project-affected parties, government officials, non-governmental organizations/ civil society, and project investors and their staff.
• Excellent verbal and written English language skills are essential; Good team player evidenced strong experience as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, motivate and lead group efforts and network effectively across boundaries.
• Excellent strategic leadership, team management, resource mobilization and coordination skills, track record of working with multi-sectoral teams.
• Familiarity with all Bank instruments, IPF, P4Rs and DPFs

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.