Description
IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record $43.7 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with unprecedented levels of uncertainty and volatility. In addition to investment, IFC has substantial advisory programs to governments and business to help establish necessary conditions that attract private business, and help businesses to enter new markets, increase impact and improve operational performance and sustainability. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
IFC is looking for a dynamic, motivated, and detail-oriented Senior Environmental & Social (E&S) Specialist to provide support to Financial Intermediary (FI)-related transactions in the Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MCT) region. This professional will be a senior member of the regional team providing guidance to clients and IFC’s investment and advisory teams on E&S risk management in FIs, in alignment with IFC’s Sustainability Policy and Performance Standards, with the aim of enhancing E&S outcomes of IFC’s investments and advisory mandates.
This position will report to the ESG Regional Manager for the MCT region.
Roles and Responsibilities
i) Early Screening, Due Diligence, Portfolio supervision
• Lead or contribute to the review of E&S issues/risks in new investments and select advisory engagements with financial sector clients (including Banks, Funds, NBFIs, and Micro Finance Institutions), and identification and development of risk mitigation measures and value-add solutions, including through transaction structuring, that support clients in addressing identified issues throughout IFC’s project cycle.
• Clear and proactive guidance to IFC investment teams on E&S risk management in project decision-making and processing throughout the investment cycle.
• Support FI clients in the development and implementation of their Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS).
• Proactively monitor portfolio clients and engage with clients and investment departments to promote client compliance with contractual E&S requirements. • Clearly document and communicate any outstanding or emerging gaps between client performance and IFC requirements, as well as related risks to IFC.
• In coordination with industry and ESG advisory teams, build capacity with clients on E&S risk management issues, including clients’ monitoring and evaluation of E&S activities and outcomes.
• Contribute to portfolio analysis to identify systemic issues and assess trends, including any issues of a policy nature, and propose policy adjustments as needed.
• Contribute to regional supervision program reviews and periodic reports.
ii) Upstream and Advisory Services
• On the basis of new business processing experience and portfolio analysis, help identify systemic bottlenecks existing in the financial sector that prevent adequate E&S risk management in key regional markets. In collaboration with Upstream officers and advisory teams, help develop upstream activities.
• Work proactively to identify opportunities for advisory engagements that result in greater development impact and value for the client; provide expert input into IFC advisory offerings.
• Participate in strategic decision-making (as needed) regarding IFC’s role in advisory support to enhance E&S risk management. Where relevant, support the development of appropriate solutions.
iii) Knowledge Management
• Participate in cross-regional and global teams responsible for the preparation of policy interpretation notes on E&S topics and contribute to the corporate knowledge base by analyzing and disseminating lessons learned from project work.
• Participate in forums or conferences to showcase IFC experience, approach and value proposition (which includes serving as a panelist or moderator for internal and external events).
• Prepare management briefs of relevant E&S matters.
• Provide guidance/mentor junior staff and Short-Term Consultants (STCs) working on E&S risk management and supervise the timeliness and quality of their work in coordination with the Regional Team Lead.
• Provide training to FI clients on IFC E&S requirements and Performance Standards.
Selection Criteria
• A Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in an environmental, social development, or other relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of professional experience working on E&S risk management in the international context, with a strong preference for experience in the financial sector.
• Experience working with E&S Policies and Standards, international financial institutions (IFI), and demonstrated familiarity with IFC Performance Standards are preferred.
• Working experience in emerging markets is an advantage, especially in fragile and conflict-affected environments.
• Willingness to travel regularly in emerging market countries.
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse information sources, draw conclusions from sometimes limited data, and develop solutions in potentially tense or conflicting situations.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.
• Proficiency in English is essential. Additional language skills in Turkish, Arabic, or Russian are advantageous.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, including the ability to communicate persuasively with a wide range of internal and external parties (including senior staff, management, IFC’s accountability mechanism, and clients) and present E&S risks and management solutions in a manner that non-experts can understand.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team, influence and negotiate points of view within teams.
• Exemplary project management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner.
• Diplomatic approach and calm under pressure.
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.