Back Environmental and Social Support to Operations

Post of duty: Washington, DC

The IDB Group is a community of diverse, versatile, and passionate people who come together on a journey to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.

About this position:

The Environmental and Social Solutions Unit (VPS/ESG) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is responsible for ensuring that IDB financed projects and other activities are environmentally and socially sustainable and comply with the Bank’s environmental and social policies. Specialists in ESG provide the Bank and its borrowers with guidance on environmental and social safeguard issues and participate in project teams, providing technical input on social and environmental issues during project preparation/due-diligence and supervision. ESG assigns specialists as part of project teams of high-risk projects during preparation and execution[1] and provides guidance to the teams of low-risk operations.

ESG is seeking an experienced and highly motivated environmental and/or social consultant to join a group of professionals that provide technical support, direction, and leadership in promoting the Bank's strategic social and environmental priorities and ensuring that IDB financed projects and other activities are socially and environmentally sustainable.

The Consultant will support the design and implementation of the Bank's operations and will ensure they comply with the IDB's social safeguards policies and internationally recognized best practices.

What you’ll do:

The selected candidate will support ESG in two areas: i) Preparation and supervision of IDB financed operations and ii) Providing guidance to low and moderate risk operations, including, but not limited to, the following activities:

Project preparation and supervision

Support ESG in the preparation and supervision of projects in the public sector focusing on environmental and social aspects.

Support ESG on an \"as needed basis\" in the performance of the environmental and social safeguards review of proposed operations as part of the policy compliance assurance process (Environmental and Social Strategy preparation, due diligence preparation, Environmental and Social

The selected candidate will support ESG in two areas: i) Preparation and supervision of IDB financed operations and ii) Providing guidance to low and moderate risk operations, including, but not limited to, the following activities:

Project preparation and supervision

• Support ESG in the preparation and supervision of projects in the public sector focusing on environmental and social aspects.
• Support ESG on an \"as needed basis\" in the performance of the environmental and social safeguards review of proposed operations as part of the policy compliance assurance process (Environmental and Social Strategy preparation, due diligence preparation, Environmental and Social Management Report preparation, and project supervision reports) and its documentation.
• Support ESG staff in the preparation of, key documents including but not limited to aide memoires, technical cooperation proposals, and terms of reference for specific environmental assessment and management activities related to projects assigned.
• Support ESG in the development and management of research and training programs.
• Support ESG in tracking and reporting project data, especially in the area of safeguard performance.

  ESG Guidance Service.

  • Manage ESG Guidance Service, that provides (i) guidance to low risk projects during preparation, and (ii) that supports project teams in the supervision of low and moderate risk projects.
  • Environmental and social screening of operations in preparation through the guidance service.
  • Support ESG in the development and management of research and training programs.
  • Support ESG in tracking and reporting project data, especially on safeguards performance issues.

    [1] ESG directly supports Category A & B projects as well as high risk financial intermediary operations during preparation and high & substantial risk projects during execution. [1] Guidance is provided through the ESG Guidance Service to Category C and low risk financial intermediary operations during preparation as well as low and moderate risk projects during execution.

    With regards to project preparation and supervision, the consultant will have missions either virtual or physical to the countries where the projects are located. TORs must be drafted and approved by the supervisor for every mission the consultant participates in and informed to ESG Front Office according to ESG administrative manual for processing.

    Every report must be submitted to the corresponding supervisor in an electronic file. The report should include cover, main document, and all annexes. Zip files will not be accepted as final reports, due to Records Management Section regulations.

    What you'll need:

    • Education: Master’s or equivalent advanced degree in environmental or social sciences or related fields.
    • Experience: At least 5 years (8 years highly desired) of relevant professional experience as environmental and/or social safeguards specialist in development projects in several sectors.
    • Languages: Proficiency in Spanish and English, spoken and written, is required. Additional knowledge of French and Portuguese is preferable.

      Key skills:

      • The consultant must have the following competencies in:
      • Technical knowledge: Knowledge of and experience in implementing MFIs policies relating to environmental and/or social safeguards.
      • Project Management: Experience leading the environmental and social due diligence and supervision of development projects.
      • Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork: Excellent communication and writing skills in English and Spanish with positive experiences collaborating with internal and external clients.

        Requirements:

        • Citizenship: You are a citizen of one of our 48-member countries.
        • Consanguinity: You have no family members (up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB, IDB Invest, or IDB Lab.

          Type of contract and duration:

          • Type of contract: International Consultant Full-Time
          • Length of contract: 12 months
          • Work Location: On site

            What we offer:

            The IDB group provides benefits that respond to the different needs and moments of an employee’s life. These benefits include:

            • A competitive compensation packages.