IFC seeks a Senior Environmental & Social Development  Specialist for the MCT region. This role involves guiding clients, investment teams, and advisory teams on E&S risk management to enhance compliance with IFC’s performance standards and the impact of IFC-supported initiatives.

This position will report to the CEG Regional Manager for the MCT region.

Duties and Responsibilities of  Senior Environmental and Social Development Specialist : 

• Lead or contribute to assessment of E&S issues/risks in new investments and select advisory engagements in multiple sectors (including infrastructure, manufacturing, services and agribusiness).
  
• Lead or contribute to identification and development of risk mitigation measures and value-add solutions that support clients in addressing identified issues; advise on structuring, appropriate mitigation measures and contractual alignment of interest to address risks and impacts.  
• When leading E&S assessments, ensure effective and efficient use of staff, consultants, and resources, ensuring the timely completion of deliverables. Provide guidance and support to team members.
• Discuss and support formulation of E&S legal conditions for projects legal agreements.
  
• Support industry teams and clients in response to Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) requests, leading discussion with CAO and IEG officers.
  
• In coordination with industry and CEG advisory teams, build capacity with clients on issues related to E&S issues, including clients’ monitoring and evaluation of E&S activities and outcomes.
  
• Contribute to portfolio analysis to identify systemic issues and assess trends; or of policy nature and propose policy adjustments as needed.
  
• Contribute to regional supervision program reviews and periodic reports.
  
• On the basis of portfolio analysis, help identify systemic bottlenecks existing in the market that prevent adequate E&S risk management in key markets. In collaboration with Upstream officers and advisory teams, help develop upstream activities by using technical experience and expertise.
  
• Work proactively to identify opportunities for advisory engagements that result in greater development impact and value for the client; provide expert input into new IFC advisory offering.
  
• Participate in strategic decision making (as needed) regarding IFC role in advisory support to enhance E&S risk management. Where relevant support the development of appropriate solutions.
  
• As needed, participate in forums or conferences to showcase IFC experience, approach and value proposition (which includes serving as a panelist or moderator for internal and external events).
  
• Prepare management briefs of relevant E&S matters.
  
• Provide guidance/mentor more junior staff and Short-Term Consultants (STCs) working on E&S risk management and supervise the timeliness and quality of their work, in coordination with the Regional Team Lead.

check: 2023 Chief Of Section, Property Management Internship at UN

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or equivalent in sociology/social sciences, environmental management/engineering, economics or other relevant disciplines.
  
• Minimum of 12 years of professional experience working on E&S due diligence in the international context, with strong preference for experience in the private sector working across different industry sectors.
  
• Experience working on E&S Policies and Standards. Experience with international financial institutions (IFI) and/or World Bank Group Standards preferred.
  
• Working experience in emerging markets, ideally in fragile and conflict environments.
  
• Willingness to travel regularly in emerging market countries.
  
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse information sources, and draw conclusions from sometimes limited data.
  
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
  
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.
  
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely on complex environmental and social issues in spoken and written form, in a manner that can be understood by non-experts. Proficiency in English is essential.  Additional language skills in Arabic, Russian and/or Turkish is desired.
  
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to relate well with a wide range of internal and external parties (including senior staff, management, IFC’s accountability mechanism and clients) and develop solutions in potentially tense or conflicting situations.
  
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team, influence and negotiate point of view within teams.
  
• Exemplary project management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
  
• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner. Diplomatic approach and calm under pressure.