Principal Environmental and Social Audit Specialist – PL4

THE BANK:

Established in 1964, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. To sharply focus the objectives of the Ten-Year Strategy (2024 – 2033) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas (High 5s), all of which will accelerate our delivery for Africa, have been identified for scaling up, namely, energy, agro-business, industrialization, integration and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.

THE COMPLEX:

The President, plans, supervises, and manages the business of the Bank Group. Under the direction of the Boards of Directors, the President conducts the business of the Bank and the African Development Fund and manages operations and activities in accordance with the Agreements establishing the ADB and the ADF. The President supervises several Departments and Units including Office of the President (PRST0); Independent Development Evaluation Department (BDEV); Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department (PIAC); Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (BCRM); Secretariat to the Sanctions Appeals Board (BSAB); Administrative Tribunal (BATR); Office of the Auditor General (PAGL); Group Risk Management Directorate (PGRM); General Counsel and Legal Services Department (PGCL); Communication and External Relations Department (PCER); Staff Integrity and Ethics Office (PETH) and Office of the Secretary General & General Secretariat(PSEG).

THE HIRING DEPARTMENT:

The Office of the Auditor General provides independent, objective assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve the Bank’s operations. It also assists the Bank to accomplish its strategic objectives by bringing a systematic and disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. The Office of the Auditor General is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling a broad, comprehensive program of auditing and consulting/advisory services both internally and externally including, without limitation, all projects, and programs of the Bank group.

THE POSITION:

The African Development Bank (AfDB) seeks a dedicated Environmental and Social (E&S) Audit Specialist to strengthen its internal audit capabilities concerning environmental and social safeguards. Embedded in the Office of the Auditor General, this role is pivotal in supporting the delivery of risk-based internal audits that assess the governance, effectiveness, and compliance of E&S systems across the Bank’s portfolio of public and private sector projects. The position requires significant experience conducting E&S audits or assessments, along with familiarity with the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) or equivalent frameworks from other Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).

KEY FUNCTIONS:

Under the supervision and guidance of the Division Manager, the Principal Environmental and Social Audit Specialist will:

1. Lead and Support Environmental and Social Audits: Contribute to the planning, coordination, and execution of environmental and social (E&S) components of internal audits across Bank-financed operations, including public and private sector projects. Ensure these audits address the design, implementation, and effectiveness of safeguards systems.
2. Assess Compliance with Safeguards Requirements: Monitor and evaluate whether Bank operations are aligned with the environmental and social provisions outlined in project financing agreements, including Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), and relevant national legislation.
3. Review Environmental and Social Risk Management Systems: Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of environmental and social risk management frameworks across Bank-financed operations.
4. Conduct Project Site Visits: Participate in audit field missions to verify the application of E&S safeguards on the ground, engage with stakeholders, and gather field-based evidence to inform audit findings and recommendations.
5. Prepare Reports and Provide Recommendations: Prepare clear, objective, and timely audit documentation, including aide-mémoires, draft and final reports. Formulate practical and results-oriented recommendations for addressing E&S safeguard issues and monitor the implementation of agreed actions.
6. Offer Technical Advisory Support: Provide technical input on E&S safeguards to internal audit teams, operational departments, and management. Offer guidance on good practices, emerging issues, and risk mitigation strategies during project design, supervision, and evaluation stages.
7. Contribute to Audit Methodology and Capacity Building: Lead the development of tools, checklists, and frameworks to support the integration of E&S safeguards into the Bank’s audit approach. Deliver or support capacity-building sessions, workshops, and onboarding for staff on E&S audit processes.
8. Knowledge Sharing and Professional Engagement: Stay abreast of developments in audit and safeguards practice. Share knowledge within the team and across the Bank through briefings, training events, peer learning, and participation in relevant professional forums.
9. Mentorship and Team Development: Provide coaching, direction, and technical support to less experienced internal auditors in the conduct of E&S-related assignments, ensuring adherence to professional standards and timelines.
10. Other Duties as Assigned: Undertake any other relevant tasks assigned by the Division Manager or Auditor General in support of the Bank’s internal audit and oversight functions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Social Science, Natural Resource Management, or a very closely related field.
• A recognized audit or safeguards-related certification (e.g., Certified Internal Auditor, ISO 14001 Auditor, Other Multilateral Development Banks Performance Standards training) is highly desirable.

Professional Experience:

• At least six (6) years of progressive experience conducting environmental and/or social audits, due diligence, or compliance reviews in development projects.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating project compliance with Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), labor and working conditions, and stakeholder engagement.
• Preferably experienced within multilateral development banks, international donor agencies, consulting firms, or government institutions.

Key Competencies

Technical Safeguards Expertise:

• Deep understanding of environmental and social safeguard policies and risk management approaches, including cross-cutting themes such as biodiversity, gender, climate risk, labor rights, and community health and safety.
• Proven ability to assess the design and implementation of safeguard measures and analyze their effectiveness in achieving compliance.

Audit and Risk-Based Thinking:

• Strong grasp of audit methodologies and internal control systems, including risk-based planning, control effectiveness testing, root cause analysis, and the formulation of practical recommendations.
• Experience applying audit principles to E&S safeguards and working across diverse sectors and geographies.

Field Verification and On-Site Engagement:

• Demonstrated ability to participate in or lead audit field missions, including physical site inspections and direct engagement with Project Implementation Units (PIUs), executing agencies, local authorities, and affected populations.
• Ability to navigate field challenges in both low-capacity and fragile contexts.

Data Analytics and Tools:

• Familiarity with audit management platforms (e.g., Teammate, Pentana, Auditboard) and data analysis tools (e.g., ACL, PowerBI, Excel).

Institutional Systems Knowledge for E&S Management:

• Strong familiarity with how institutions manage environmental and social safeguards through dedicated systems, including project risk categorization, review and approval of safeguards instruments, and ongoing monitoring and reporting. Experience working with institutional-level environmental and social management systems (e.g., AfDB’s Integrated Safeguards Tracking System (ISTS), or equivalent ESMS platforms) to navigate project-level documentation and identify systemic weaknesses, compliance gaps, or control inefficiencies.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to translate complex findings into clear, concise reports and presentations.
• Skilled in presenting audit observations to internal stakeholders and external partners in a constructive and solutions-oriented manner.
• Fluency in English or French is required, with a working knowledge of the other language.

Professionalism and Teamwork:

• High ethical standards, integrity, and objectivity.
• Strong organizational skills, good judgment, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments.
• Willingness to mentor junior staff and contribute to knowledge sharing across the department and Bank-wide.

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Important Application Information:
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