Senior Social Development 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. 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, visit www.worldbank.org.

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.

On March 5, 2020, the Board of Executive Directors at The World Bank approved measures to enhance the World Bank’s accountability system by establishing a new independent Accountability Mechanism (‘AM’), which houses both the existing Inspection Panel and the newly established Dispute Resolution Service.

The Inspection Panel was created in September 1993 by the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank. It is an independent accountability mechanism for people and communities who believe they have been or will likely be adversely affected by a World Bank financed project.  The Panel carries out independent investigations of Bank-financed projects to determine whether the Bank is in compliance with its operational policies and procedures and reports related findings to the Board of Executive Directors. It is an impartial fact-finding body, independent from the Management of the  World Bank.

This position, Senior Social Development Specialist, is a compliance role located within the Inspection Panel. The position will report to the Inspection Panel Chair on technical and substantive matters and to the Accountability Mechanism Secretary (AMS) on administrative matters.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. Others will be appointed on a renewal 2 year Term appointment.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background.  Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.  All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Roles & Responsibility
 
The Inspection Panel is recruiting for a Senior Social Development Specialist, who has a combination of deep technical expertise, as well as experience as a social specialist. The individual should have the demonstrated ability to work both as a subject matter expert as part of a team and as a task team leader for specific cases and projects. As a task team leader, the individual should also be able to demonstrate that they have successfully taken responsibility for operational requirements in relation to cases or projects. 

The candidate should have practical experience in managing social assessment processes and in designing and implementing mitigation measures specifically in the context of applying social standards and safeguard policies. The candidate is also required to have a deep knowledge of the World Bank, IFC or other bilateral or multi-lateral development institutions and direct experience in the interpretation and application of social standards. Ideally this experience would include the interpretation and application of environmental and social standards from the assessment of compliance of projects with such standards in relation to a complaint from project affected persons.  

In this context, the Senior Social Development Specialist’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Taking on the role of a TTL (Task Team Leader) as the leading compliance officer in relation to a particular case or request, as assigned by the Chair of the Panel and supporting the Lead Panel Member and Chair in relation to this. This TTL role includes:
  o Being the interface between the Requesters and the Inspection Panel, ensuring appropriate communication takes place with potential requesters regarding concerns raised both prior to the request becoming a formal complaint and once a complaint has been lodged;
  o Leading the preparation and analysis of background documents of the assigned cases as part of the eligibility and investigation phases including providing guidance and direction to junior staff;
  o Leading the preparation and organization field visits for both eligibility and investigations by providing guidance and direction to junior staff, consultants and the Program Assistant and ensuring all logistical arrangements are in place. This includes, but is not limited to, organization of meetings with all stakeholders, hiring of vehicles, hiring of interpreters, hiring and management of consultants and ensuring a travel risk assessment is in place, etc.  
  o Being the Compliance Staff Lead in drafting initial Panel reports such as draft eligibility reports, Investigation reports, Notices of Registration/non-registration in line with the agreed format and precedence set by previous Panel reports on cases;

• Providing expert review on Panel documents and reports, with a focus on social perspectives and with the ability to analyze complex issues. As part of this reviewing role, the candidate will be expected to have the ability to assess findings and identify inconsistencies in the context of compliance to Bank Social Policies/standards and requirements;

• Providing expert counsel and advice to Panel Members with regards to Social policy application and interpretation, in the formulation of formal recommendations to the Board of Executive Directors, as well as in the preparation of Panel reports and documents;

• Providing in-depth research on a wide variety of topics and ensuring analytical papers and findings are presented accurately, succinctly and in a timely manner. The candidate will also be expected to provide guidance and mentoring to junior staff in this regard;

• Displaying a demonstrated understanding of and interest in accountability and the unique role the Inspection Panel occupies in the Bank in relation to the Board, Management, Requesters and civil society and thus contributing to policy discussions, policy documents and strategies on the Panel related work and mandate; 

• Demonstrating an investigative mindset to research, analyze, triangulate and fact check information from a variety of sources as part of an investigation or similar process and the ability to review allegations of harm and develop findings in relation to the different stages of the Panel’s investigative process; 

• Conducting extensive document reviews and field and/or office staff interviews and reviews of facility or site inspections to investigate complaints to determine compliance with social policies;

• Travelling to project areas to provide support and technical advice to the Panel on complex cases; ensuring careful records keeping as part of the impartial fact-finding process;

• Assisting the Panel through the review, summary, and analysis of Bank documents (including the application of World Bank social policies) and presenting these in a logical and clear format; 

• Working with the Panel to identify and interact with experts to be retained by the Panel for investigations and providing input to the Panel as needed;

• Leading the drafting of Panel reports and contributing to the development of high-quality work products that clearly and logically frame the issues that are raised in the report; 

• Following up and researching Bank financed projects that have been reviewed or investigated by the Panel, including reviewing progress in the implementation of Management Action Plans (MAPs) submitted by Management with regard to Panel investigations;

• Undertaking research and distilling lessons from the Panel’s case work and findings relating to environmental and social safeguards and working with the Panel Members and other staff to develop Advisory Reports in a format as decided by the Panel to Bank staff, Management, and offices of the Executive Directors; 

• Performing, at the request of the Panel Members, detailed research and analysis, and drafting documents on topics related to Panel’s activities or policy papers and on other procedural changes in the Bank policies and procedures, and accurately presenting relevant facts, comments and findings; 

• Leading and conducting outreach activities, as agreed by the Accountability Secretary and Chair of the Panel; 

• Interacting with Requesters, Project Affected Persons (PAPs), CSOs, NGOs and other stakeholders, but also with Bank Management and the Board;

In the performance of the above responsibilities and with regards to the annual performance setting objectives, the Senior Social Development Specialist will work under the guidance and supervision of the Panel’s Chairperson and Panel Members.

Selection Criteria

• A Master’s and/or PhD degree in a social science related subject and at least 8 years of relevant experience;

• Familiarity with international social development issues and challenges in developing countries. Field and/or work experience in developing countries is a plus;
 
• Thorough knowledge of the World Bank Group’s or equivalent multilateral development bank’s organizational structure, operations, policies, practices, procedure and specifically its Environmental and Social Framework;

• Demonstrated ability to analyze a complex range of social issues and interpret how environmental and social standards are applied in the context of complex or ambiguous issues; 

• Strong report writing and reviewing skills. Ability to produce high quality work under pressure;  

• Strong research and analytical skills to analyze and synthesize information from diverse sources and to draw conclusions from the available data;

• Ability to handle complex issues and to operate effectively in challenging field situations;

• Proven ability to show initiative and be a self-starter as well as work constructively as a team member; 

• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders, NGOs, the private sector, international organizations, development partners and/or with the government would be an advantage;

• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines; and a high degree of initiative;

• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail;

• Strong interpersonal, listening and communication skills including the ability to relate well with a wide range of internal and external parties;

• Proven ability to work effectively as a member of a small multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team with minimal supervision;

• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely in spoken and written English. Additional language skills are desirable;

• Enthusiasm for, and commitment to development work; willingness to travel.

Full set of 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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