Social Development Specialist

Job #:	121143
Title:	Social Development Specialist
Job Stream:	Environment
Location:	To Be Determined
Closing Date:	06/21/2012
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 Social Development Specialists. IFC wishes to recruit up to 4 Social Development Specialists over the coming year to further enhance its capacity to meet growing business needs. The positions will be based in country offices across different regions as well as in Washington DC. The final location of the positions will be determined based on the skills and experience profile of selected candidates (including language skills) in collaboration with Regional Management.
Duties and Accountabilities:
• Technical responsibilities will include the review and appraisal of new investment proposals for IFC’s consideration, including the identification of social risks and issues as early in the project cycle as possible, develop recommendations for client actions and draft relevant project processing documentation. • Define steps required to assist clients improve performance and meet requirements of IFC’s Performance Standards (PSs), especially those related to community engagement (PS1), labor and working conditions (PS2), land acquisition and involuntary resettlement (PS5), indigenous peoples (PS7) and cultural heritage (PS8). • Oversee the supervision of the environmental and social performance of specific allocated projects; • Identify opportunities for adding value in an investment project structure. Where and when appropriate, assist IFC investment staff with business development related to environmental opportunities beyond risk management. • Work with client companies and IFC’s Advisory Services department to mobilize technical and financial support for clients to address social aspects of client’s operations. • Produce and disseminate good practices and lessons learned documents from IFC’s work around the globe. • Provide training on social and/or environment issues to IFC borrowers and IFC investment staff.
Selection Criteria:
• An advanced degree (post graduate degree) in the social/applied sciences or other relevant discipline. • At least 5 years relevant professional experience in dealing with one or more of the core social development issues • Experience in environmental and social assessment also highly desirable, in particular as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team. • Specific training and experience in environmental and social aspects of manufacturing/production and/or infrastructure and/or natural resources sectors highly desirable. • Excellent verbal and written English language skills. Knowledge in other official languages of the World bank group highly desirable. • Ability to travel frequently. • Self-starter with enthusiasm for integrated business solutions and IFC’s Sustainability initiative. • In-depth, practical experience in addressing a range of social, environmental, occupational health and safety, and social management issues in a variety of sectors. • Consultancy, contracting and/or operational experience in developing countries would be advantageous. • Experience in working with private sector industry. • Innovative approach with ability to generate and sell value- added solutions to IFC’s clients and investment staff. • Good team player who can help motivate and lead group effort and effectively network across boundaries. • Strong writing and public speaking skills. Resumes should not exceed four pages and other supporting materials should be no more than four pages (including cover letter). No phone calls,paper mail, or faxes please. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Note to Internal Staff: If the selected candidate(s) is a current World Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, then he/she will retain that appointment type. All others will be offered a 2-year renewable term appointment.
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