Social Development Specialist

The Social Sustainability and Inclusion (SSI) Global Practice helps countries tackle deep rooted social problems stemming from fragility, climate change, exclusion, and the digital age with people centered solutions that build on local values and institutions. The Practice engages with citizens, communities, and governments to deepen resilience, build inclusion, and empower vulnerable and marginalized groups to have influence and voice. It prioritizes participatory, multi-sectoral approaches that build on norms and informal institutions to address social challenges and to build more inclusive, empowered communities. The Practice also works across the Bank’s portfolio to implement the Environment and Social Framework (ESF) standards. The ESF offers an overarching platform for fostering inclusive approaches to ensure vulnerable groups benefit from Bank investments and mitigate against related risks.

This is done through four pillars of work:

• Promoting inclusive societies. We help expand access to markets, services, and spaces for vulnerable and marginalized groups in ways that promote their dignity.
• Promoting resilient communities. We help communities cope with climate change, conflict, pandemics, and migration by expanding access to resources and responsive governments.
• Empowering people. We help expand access to the policy arena to strengthen voice and social accountability and build consensus for positive change.
• Managing social risk. We help enhance the inclusiveness, efficiency, equity, and transparency of public and private investments.

The SSI unit for the Latin America and the Caribbean (LCR) region is seeking to hire a Social Development Specialist to be based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Alternatively, the specialist could be based in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Act as a Social Development Specialist on projects implemented in Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador; advising Task Teams and clients on the operational design and mechanisms to assess social opportunities and risks in Bank-funded operations; developing and evaluating proposed technical solutions; and assisting in the preparation and implementation of ESF project documentation.
• Provide guidance to clients on social development aspects to ensure the i) Bank’s social risk management standards are respected, and ii) social impact and sustainability of Bank-supported operations are enhanced.
• Contribute to policy dialogues with clients on aspects linked to citizen engagement, Afro-Descendants, Indigenous Peoples, gender-based violence, youth, people with disabilities, and sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Carry out the implementation of the ESF and SSI agenda in the region, in close collaboration with the Country Coordinator, and advise Task Teams and other stakeholders on the interpretation and application of the ESF.
• Build client capacity on the implementation of the ESF, including on the monitoring and evaluation of social development activities and outcomes.
• Engage with other Units and Departments; identifying opportunities for the LCR SSI team to maximize the positive social impacts of all Bank activities.
• Contribute to the preparation and review of policy notes, sector studies, and research and policy development activities on the full range of social development topics.
• Support other Social Development Specialists in handling complex technical, institutional and program implementation issues regarding social sustainability and inclusion.

Selection Criteria:

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in social sciences (e.g., Anthropology, Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Law, Communications, etc.) or other relevant disciplines.
• At least five years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of social issues in LCR – including on social assessments, stakeholder engagement/participatory processes, involuntary resettlement, and with vulnerable groups.
• Experience working with, and on issues related to, Afro-Descendant populations and Indigenous Peoples.
• Good knowledge of the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework and social safeguard policies (on e.g., Involuntary Resettlement, Indigenous Peoples, Citizen Engagement, Grievance Redress Mechanisms).
• Proven ability to translate analytical work into policy advice and operational, actionable, and practical recommendations.
• Experience in the preparation of project social risk and impact assessments, social risk management plans, capacity assessments, and institutional strengthening measures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Spanish and English.
• Willingness and availability to travel regularly within the Central American region.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=26953&site=1