Environmental Specialist at International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Lead or contribute to review of E&S issues and risks in new investments and select advisory engagements primarily but not exclusively in the agribusiness sector.
• Prepare concise public disclosure documents for new investments as well as internal documentation.
• Lead or contribute to identification and development of E&S risk mitigation measures and value-add solutions that support clients in addressing identified issues.
• Provide clear and responsive guidance to IFC investment teams on E&S risk management in project decision-making and processing throughout the investment cycle, including clear communication to teams.
• Support formulation of E&S legal conditions for IFC projects.
• 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.
• Proactively monitor portfolio clients and engage with these clients and investment departments to achieve compliance with contractual E&S requirements, clearly documenting and communicating any outstanding or emerging gaps between client performance and IFC requirements, and related risks and opportunities.
• 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.
• Support industry teams and clients in response to Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) requests where needed, including discussion with CAO and IEG officers as needed.
• Support clients’ E&S capacity building.
• As needed, participate in cross-regional and global teams responsible for the preparation of policy interpretation notes on E&S topics and contribute to the corporate knowledge base by analyzing and disseminating lessons learned from project work.
• Prepare management briefs of relevant E&S matters.
• Provide guidance to Short-Term Consultants (STCs) working on E&S risk management and supervise the timeliness and quality of their work, in coordination with the Regional Manager.
• Contribute to regional supervision program reviews and periodic reports.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Masters) in science, engineering, sociology or other relevant disciplines.
• Minimum of ten years professional experience working on E&S management, monitoring and/or due diligence, with a preference for private sector experience in Africa primarily but not exclusively in the agribusiness sector.
• Working experience in emerging markets, ideally in fragile and conflict environments.
• Experience working with IFC/World Bank E&S Policies and Standards.
• Willingness to travel regularly.
• Exemplary project management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and summarize diverse sources, draw conclusions from limited data and develop solutions in potentially tense or conflicting situations.
• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with the ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner, respond diplomatically and remain calm under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.
• Proficiency in English essential, with Portuguese skills an advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to communicate persuasively with a wide range of internal and external parties (including senior staff, management, IFC’s accountability mechanism and clients) and present E&S risks and management solutions in a manner that non-experts can understand.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team, influence and negotiate point of view within teams