Senior Environmental Specialist – GG

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity.

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. Visit www.worldbank.org.

The Environment (ENV) Department has five key business lines consisting of Lending and non-lending services in (1) Forests, Watersheds and Sustainable Landscapes (‘Green Business line’); (2) Marine, Coastal, Aquatic Resources and Ocean Health (‘Blue Economy Business line’); (3) Pollution Management and Environmental Health (‘Pollution Management Business line’); (4) Environmental Economics, Policies and Institutions Business line, and (5) Safeguards/ Environmental Risk Management Business line: delivery of effective environmental risk management and sustainability by managing risk at the project level and creating opportunities to advance sustainable development. This includes provision of high-quality and timely safeguards services across the Bank, including current safeguards policies and the effective implementation of the new Environment and Social Framework (ESF) that was rolled out on October 1, 2018.

The ENV Department in Sub Saharan Africa consists of four units: Two in West and Central Africa Region, and two in East and Southern Africa Region. SAWE1 covers parts of West and Central. The unit manages operations and analytical activities in a variety of areas such as natural resources management (including land, coastal and marine resources), pollution and climate change. In addition, the unit, like other ENV Department units provides environmental safeguards and ESF services across all sectors and projects in the following three Country Management Units: AWCF1 (Senegal), AWCF2 (Cote d’Ivoire) and AWCW3 (Mali).

SAWE1 is seeking to recruit a Senior Environmental Specialist based in the Abidjan country office to provide mostly environmental safeguards support to all sectors and projects. The selected candidate will work under supervision of the Practice Manager for SAWE1 based in the WB’s Dakar Office and the Coordination of the Regional Safeguards Coordinator (RSC) based in Washington, DC.

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Overall, the senior environmental specialist is responsible for identifying and assessing risks associated with project investments, as well as assisting a country to build up its risk and mitigation capacities. In particular:

Safeguard/ Environment and Social Standards

In accordance with the Bank’s Safeguards and ESF policies, the Env Specialist will:

During project preparation for Concept review: Screen potential Environmental and Social (E&S) risks & adverse impacts; Determine the appropriate risk classification taking into account relevant issues and proposed project activities; advise on the relevant environmental assessments to carry out and Prepare a Concept Environmental and Social Review Summary (C-ESRS)

During project preparation for Decision Meeting and Appraisal: Conduct thorough assessment of E&S risks & adverse impacts; Review the risk classification assigned to the project and update as needed; Review E&S documents (ESCP, SEP, LMP, ESSA, SESA, ESMF, ESIAs/ESMPs) and prepare Appraisal Environmental and Social Review Summary (A-ESRS);

During project implementation: Review E&S documents prepared during implementation; Review the risk classification assigned to the project and update as needed; Work with the client to ensure preparation and quality review of the documents needed during implementation; and Contribute well-written summaries of key E&S instruments for inclusion in project documentation; engage in a dialogue with the client to strengthen the country institutional capacity in the management of E&S risks and adverse impacts.

During both preparation and implementation: Go beyond narrow policy compliance to look for opportunities to support clients in their goal to reduce poverty and increase prosperity in a sustainable manner for the benefit of the environment and their citizens. Work closely with the project task team and especially the Social Development Specialist assigned to each operation to develop and implement projects that are environmentally and socially sustainable., and to enhance the capacity of Borrowers’ environmental and social frameworks to assess and manage the environmental and social risks and impacts of projects

Safeguard/ Environment and Social Standards CMU Coordination

• Assist the PM and RSC with their ESF and Safeguards role:
• Assign ESF/Safeguard Specialists for projects in their respective CMUs in consultation with the RSC.
• Highlight operational issues that need action to increase consistency across units, to iron out system difficulties or to seek corporate advice on application of policy.
• Provide data to the PM and the RSC to help with regular monitoring of project preparation and implementation as well as Environment and Social Risk Reviews.
• Advise, when needed, the CD/CM and PM on environment risks in the CMU portfolio.
• Advise the CO ESF/Safeguards Specialists on issues arising in the portfolio and pipeline for that CMU/location, including responses to complaints and grievances on specific projects.
• Advise and support other ESF/Safeguards Specialists from the COs and TTLs in ensuring compliance with the OPs and ESF/Safeguards requirements and in handling incidents that trigger ESIRT reporting, follow up on serious incidents and other ESF/Safeguards-related complaints.
• Conduct reviews and provide comments on ESF documents of the projects developed under the CMU.
• Maintain, together with the Country Office (CO) based ESF/Safeguards Specialists, close coordination with all ESF-related roles in the CMU and the unit (e.g. social colleagues, program analyst, country coordinators, and focal points).
• Serve as a mentor and a ‘go to’ person for the junior environmental staff/consultants supporting the CMU.
• Serve as Acting RSC as and when required.
• Work on specific projects and tasks as assigned by the PM and RSC:
• Conduct thematic or country ESF/Environmental Safeguards performance reviews on request.
• Lead or support portfolio reviews across the CMU portfolio on request.
• Contribute to their CMU/location and the unit’s knowledge management system.
• As needed, work with CMU communications specialist on ESF reports, stories, clarifications, or challenging communication issues.
• Independently and/or in cooperation with the CO ESF/Safeguards specialists cooperate with the client countries environmental authorities and provide assistance in improving their EA regulatory framework.
• Suggest and organize ESF training for countries at the portfolio and project levels, ensuring representation of implementing agencies.

Country environmental and social system strengthening and capacity building

• Actively contribute in the ESF team to the ongoing Overview Assessment of the country.
• Work closely with the other Development partners, especially with the African Development Bank to develop a joint Action Plan of the Overview Assessment.
• Participate actively in the implementation of the joint Action Plan.
• Contribute to enhancing the capacity of the Borrower’s environmental and social system to assess and manage the environmental and social risks and adverse impacts of projects.
• Support the Overview Assessment and ESF national capacity building efforts in the other CMU countries (Benin, Togo and Guinea).

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in environmental or natural sciences, engineering or other relevant disciplines;
• At least eight (8) years of full-time relevant professional experience with a sustained record of achieving high quality substantive results
• Experience in environmental risk management, preparation and/or review of project environmental risk and impact assessments, environmental management plans, capacity assessments and institutional strengthening measures;
• Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement major projects and to produce major/complex reports or studies;
• Good knowledge of the World Bank’s environmental and social policies and standards, with a track-record of applying these in a variety of circumstances.
• Demonstrated maturity and sound judgment, attention to detail, and ability to convey complex messages succinctly and diplomatically;
• Proven capacity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, and ability to represent the Department with internal and external partners and interact effectively with Senior Management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French;
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent workflow management and task organization skills; able to coordinate all aspects of the workflow of assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to coach/mentor more junior staff.

REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Environmental Policy, Strategy and Institutions – Solid understanding of environmental policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations;
• Environmental and Natural Sciences and Engineering – Demonstrates strong knowledge of one or more relevant thematic areas of environmental engineering, civil engineering, environmental science, ecology, zoology, botany occupational health and safety related to infrastructure, or environmental risk management; and deep experience in applying this knowledge to policy-related decisions and advice;
• Policy Dialogue Skills – Possesses political judgement, diplomatic acumen and negotiating skills; builds and sustains key stakeholder relationships with government and other key stakeholders;
• Integrative Skills – Demonstrates ability to think and work across WBG practices and sectors; integrates divergent viewpoints of multiple external and • internal stakeholders into a coherent strategy/program/project;
• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena – Fully understands the Bank’s development initiatives and policies and practices related to lending and non-lending; Guides research and translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level.

WBG CORE COMPETENCIES

• Lead and Innovate – Develops innovative solutions with others.
• Deliver Results for Clients – Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client
• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries – Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across the WBG and brings differing ideas to the forefront.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge – Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions.
• Make Smart Decisions – Recommends and takes decisive action.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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.

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