Description
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East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) Region:
EAP is a large and diverse region, ranging from Small Island States of the Pacific to the Philippines and China! Despite substantial economic growth and poverty reduction, the EAP region faces significant development challenges. Growth has been uneven across and within countries, institutions still need strengthening, and most countries are heavily affected by climate change. The Bank plays a significant role on global public goods, including climate, biodiversity, water pollution, and health. The World Bank Group is seen as a premier development institution in the Region, with a leadership role on analytical and advisory services as well as financing. (East Asia and the Pacific Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eap)
East Asia and Pacific Social Sustainability and Inclusion Unit:
The Social Sustainability and Inclusion Unit 1 (SEAS1) in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region is responsible for: (i) undertaking social analysis during project preparation and implementation, to mainstream social development and inclusion issues throughout the Bank’s work in the region; (ii) ensuring compliance with the Bank’s social safeguards policies on Involuntary Resettlement and Indigenous People and the implementation of the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF); (iii) undertaking Advisory Services and Analytics in the form of thematic studies on social development issues, country social analysis, and Reimbursable Advisory Services; (iv) leading the preparation and supervision of lending operations that promotes inclusion of vulnerable groups including women and youth, and (v) facilitating partnerships.
The Unit is seeking a social development specialist to be based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to provide ESF/safeguards support to project preparation and implementation of the World Bank’s portfolio in Cambodia. The position will help ensure that social development considerations are integrated into project design and implementation, and compliant with the Bank’s social safeguard policies and ESF across all sectors. The World Bank program in Cambodia includes more than 20 projects across a range of sectors including environmental management, water management, transport, education, health, rural development and social development. The selected candidate will be a member of the social risk management team of the newly established VCL (Vietnam, Lao PDR and Cambodia) CMU; and will need to provide cross-country supports on social risk management to other countries within the CMU when necessary.
The selected candidate will report directly to the SEAS1 Practice Manager based in Singapore; work under the day-to-day supervision of the social risk management focal point of the CMU; and be part of the overall social sustainability and Inclusion (SSI) team, and the candidate will work closely with task teams they support.
Duties and Responsibilities:
As a member of task teams supporting the preparation and implementation of projects in Cambodia and other client countries, the social specialist will be responsible for advising client counterparts on the effective assessment and management of the project induced social risks. The main objective of the assignment is to ensure that the projects meet the necessary E&S standards of the World Bank, with regard to compliance with its social safeguards and ESF, and that they reflect current good practice in terms of social sustainability. The role provides support to project teams during both project preparation and implementation, requiring the specialist to build strong relationships with implementation units. The selected candidate should support the preparation and delivering of environmental and social management capacity building activities for client counterparts and their consultants.
The Specialist, with the support from the social risk focal point as necessary, will apply their technical expertise to a broad range of social development themes and policy issues. More specifically, they will:
• Under the guidance of the VCL social risk management focal point provide advice to clients on social risk management in World Bank-financed projects.
• Specifically, prepare inputs for internal documents including the Environmental and Social Review Summaries (ESRSs), Project Concept Notes (PCNs), Project Appraisal Documents (PADs), Implementation Status and Results Reports (ISRs) Mid-Term Reviews (MTRs), Implementation Completion Reports (ICRs) and others as needed.
• Review and advise on client-developed terms of reference (ToR) and deliverables for social assessments and social risk management instruments; e.g., Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs), Resettlement Plans (RPs), Ethnic Minority Development Plans (EMDPs), Labor Management Procedures (LMPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs), Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMFs)/Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
• Participate in portfolio reviews and briefings for World Bank Management on social risk management.
• Support efforts to build capacity among colleagues and counterparts on E&S risk management; Where appropriate promote and contribute substantively to analyses and efforts to strengthen country social and environmental risk management systems, including through Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) processes.
• Contribute to analytical and advisory tasks on gender and social inclusion as well as institutional and policy environment in Cambodia for improving social inclusion and social risk management.
• Undertake policy dialogue with clients on social inclusion and social sustainability issues, ranging from upstream inputs into Systematic Country Diagnostics and Country Partnership Frameworks, to advising counterparts on related policies or on risks and opportunities.
• Other assignments as and when required.
Selection Criteria
•This position is suited to a constructive, highly motivated team member with an eye for detail and strong problem-solving abilities. Strong communication skills are necessary to ensure close coordination with team members.
It is expected that the successful candidate will meet the following selection criteria:
• At least advanced university degree (Masters or PhD) in relevant social science (e.g., Economics, Sociology, and Political Science) or related fields.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the management of social risks and social sustainability issues (social impact assessment, resettlement, labor and working conditions, gender based violence, stakeholder engagement, community liaisons, discrimination and exclusion etc.).
• Working knowledge of World Bank’s operations including the Environment and Social Framework (ESF) and social safeguard policies.
• Familiarity with Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) concepts would be desirable.
• Demonstrated analytical capacity, through written work and dialogue, knowledge of social issues, including social assessment and consultation/participation methodologies, working with vulnerable groups.
• A proven team-player who actively seeks guidance and support where necessary. High level of energy, initiative, and self-motivation; willingness to travel as necessary. A drive for results while working with limited supervision and under tight timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to apply a practical approach to problem solving, produce high quality work outputs, effectively prioritize, and adapt to competing and unexpected demands.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Khmer.
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.
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This vacancy is archived.