Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org 

The Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice (ENB GP) is located within the World Bank’s Sustainable Development Practice Group. We provide expertise, technical assistance and financing to help low- and middle-income countries manage land, sea and freshwater natural resources in a sustainable way to help create jobs, improve livelihoods, enhance ecosystem services, decrease pollution and increase resilience to climate change! Over 360 ENB staff working across the globe help set developing countries on a clean, green growth trajectory for resilient economies and healthy communities.

The SEAE1 unit, covers three country units (China & Mongolia, Indonesia & Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea & Pacific Islands). We are one of two ENB units in the East Asia and Pacific Region (EAP) and comprise around 40 staff, of whom about 70 percent are based in Country Offices. The rest of the team is based in Washington DC. 

SEAE1 Program Context :

The SEAE1 unit covers environmental risk management functions for the China & Mongolia, Indonesia & Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea & Pacific Island program. This includes some 40+ projects covering social development, energy and infrastructure, forestry and fisheries, agriculture, rural development, social protection, disaster risk reduction, and climate change.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The selected candidate will report to the EAP SEAE1 Practice Manager based in Singapore and the Lead Environmental Specialist based in Singapore. 
The Environmental Specialist’s role will be to oversee and support compliance with the WBG’s safeguards policies and ESF, ensuring that environmental sustainability is integrated into project design and implementation! 

• Provide advice to internal and external clients on environmental risk management in World Bank-financed projects.

• Work closely with the ESF Country Focal Points, ensure the effective integration of environmental due diligence into the design, appraisal and implementation of WBG supported projects.

• Provide expert advice to client and counterpart organizations, project teams and WBG management with regards to the preparation of all environment-related due diligence, assessment and management materials. This includes environmental impact assessments (both project-specific and regional), strategic and cumulative assessments; and specific plans related to occupational health and safety, natural habitats conservation etc.

• Provide environmental input in project documents in accordance with the Bank operational policies and assist with managing timely and proper disclosure procedures and public consultation requirements for all required environmental assessment and management instruments.

• Working closely with World Bank procurement specialists, provide expert guidance to clients in tendering and contracting specialized consultant services for environmental risk assessment and management tasks. This includes the preparation of terms of reference for due diligence and management activities, and assistance in selection, contracting and supervision of consultants.

• Provide technical training and capacity building related to environmental risk management, including WBG safeguard policies and ESF requirements.

• Participate as a team member in various projects, including participating in identification missions; seeking and developing opportunities to integrate sound environmental management and policies into various investment project operations. In addition, maintaining regular dialog with the client and enhancing their capacity for understanding of and compliance with environmental policies; and contributing to mission outputs and reports.

• Help the ENB Practice Manager and ESF “front office” team to manage, improve and/or create information systems to track staffing assignments assigned to Environmental and Social Specialists working on the ESF, filing of key safeguards/ESF instruments, and related clearances in the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS). 

• Support quality assurance function of documents in the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), reviewing and clearing such documents in a timely manner as per ADM business procedures. Support SEAE1 teams in preparing and monitoring processing of Environmental and Social Review Summaries (ESRS) and related materials through the ESMS in the Operations Portal.  

• Assist in updating and consolidating GP’s project risk lists (regional and director’s lists); obtain, monitor and incorporate other corporate risk lists, e.g. those maintained by OPCS and CMUs. Maintain and update GP’s consolidated risk list and support preparation of, and participate in, various risk review meetings (GP director, CESSO, CMUs). 

• Serve as a knowledge champion for SEAE1 related to safeguards and ESF related documents, including overseeing a repository of materials such as TORs for ESF/Safeguards instruments, cleared Environment and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs), cleared ESRSs, as well as lessons learned and best practices from specific Bank projects for research, knowledge and learning purposes.

• Using the ESCP as a key tool, identify and track known and emerging environmental risks and their management and resolution during project implementation. 

• Contribute to the further development of ESS-related technical materials, such as Good Practice Notes, knowledge tools, or metrics as applicable.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in environmental engineering, environmental science, environment or natural resource management, or related fields. 

• A minimum of five years of full-time relevant professional experience in the environmental risk management sector.

• Knowledge and experience in environmental assessment and management of investment projects involving large scale civil works, extractive or industrial activities.

• Field experience in both assessing project site vulnerabilities/risks, as well as supervising/inspecting/monitoring projects with significant environmental dimensions and/or risks during implementation to mitigate and monitor environmental impacts.

• Collaborative, experienced in working in a broad range of cultural contexts, with multi-disciplinary teams, and with the ability to work independently with limited supervision.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Willingness to travel extensively in SEAE1 countries is necessary, including to remote rural areas.

• Familiarity with WBG’s safeguards policies, ESF and/or IFC’s Performance.

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.

This vacancy is archived.

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