Location flexible / Bangkok / Jakarta / Hanoi or other Asia hub
Background / General description:
The mission of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the arm of the World Bank Group (WBG) working with the private sector, is to promote sustainable private sector investment in developing countries, help reduce poverty, and improve people’s lives. IFC finances projects that are commercially viable and environmentally and socially sound.
Sustainable development is a strategic priority for IFC. On the basis of IFC’s Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability, the Environment, Social and Governance Department (CES) has helped IFC establish a leadership position in the global development community on the application of environment, social and governance practices in the private sector. The commitment to sustainable development and good governance is achieved through the promotion of good practice standards and provision of advice and support to clients that help manage risk, enhance development outcomes and add value to client’s businesses.
IFC is seeking to strengthen its global team of environmental and social specialists through the recruitment of a Senior Environmental Specialist, with special emphasis in the area of agribusiness in the Asia Pacific region.
Note: candidates who have already applied need not re-apply (they will still be considered)
Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.
Duties and Accountabilities:
Technical responsibilities will include:
• The review and appraisal of new investment proposals for IFC’s consideration, including the identification of potential environmental and social impacts, risks and issues as early in the project cycle as possible, prioritize key risks to determine transaction conditions, develop recommendations for client actions and draft relevant project processing documentation.
• Work with clients to define steps required to meet the requirements of IFC’s Performance Standards and the World Bank Group’s Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines. Proactively analyze available information to identify gaps against IFC Performance Standards. Develop deep knowledge of IFC Performance Standards and their relationship to one another in their application to complex projects.
• Oversee the supervision of the environmental and social performance of specific allocated projects. Successfully lead multiple and complex projects.
• Identify opportunities and propose innovative solutions for adding value in an investment project structure. Where and when appropriate, assist IFC investment staff with business development related to environmental opportunities above and beyond risk management.
• Work with client companies and IFC’s Advisory Services to mobilize technical and financial support for new and portfolio clients to address environmental and social aspects of client’s operations. Consistently provide solutions to enhance sustainable development which is appreciated by the client as value added.
• Produce and disseminate good practices and lessons learned documents from IFC’s work around the globe. Create high quality work products appropriate for public disclosure that clearly and logically frame risk identification and mitigation.
• Provide training on environmental and/or social issues to IFC borrowers, IFC investment officers and others as required.
• Represent IFC at technical meetings, industry events and environmental fora.
Selection Criteria:
Qualifications
• A post graduate degree in environmental sciences, natural resource management, environmental/agricultural engineering or other relevant discipline.
• At least 15 years of relevant international professional experience in environmental management with a demonstrated track record of at least 5 years E&S performance and management in the agribusiness and manufacturing sectors with private firms.
• Demonstrated experience with the effective application of IFC Performance Standards.
• Willingness and demonstrated experience to collaborate in teams, seek innovative solutions and to communicate effectively with the full spectrum of IFC’s stakeholders.
• Ability to travel frequently to developing countries.
• Excellent verbal and written English language skills.
Selection Criteria
• Relevant technical background and experience
• Self-starter with enthusiasm for integrated business solutions and IFC’s Sustainability initiative.
• In-depth, practical experience in addressing environmental and social issues on various agricultural production and processing projects. Consultancy, contracting and/or operational experience in developing countries would be advantageous.
• Understanding of agri-commodity voluntary standards as well as environmental and food safety management systems, and training and experience in auditing against relevant certification systems.
• Familiarity with IFC’s Performance Standards and sustainability approach is preferred.
• Experience in assessing and managing supply chain risks would be an advantage.
• Innovative approach with ability to generate and sell value-added solutions to IFC’s clients and investment staff.
• Ability to operate as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team.
• Excellent communication skills.
To apply on-line, please visit the World Bank’s career website atwww.worldbank.org/careers
Job number 141393.
Deadline is March 11 2015
