Senior Environmental and Social Dev Specialist
World Bank About
With 189 member countries, staff from more 170 countries, and offices in over 130 locations, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership: five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries.
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group, which is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Established to promote sustainable development, the IFC focuses on the private sector in emerging markets, operating in over 100 countries. The organization is dedicated to ending poverty and increasing shared prosperity through investments in groundbreaking projects. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. The IFC has more than 120 offices worldwide and works with public and private sector partners to develop solutions to urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
Job Overview:
The Senior Environmental & Social Development Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting infrastructure, manufacturing, services, and agribusiness-related transactions in the South Asia region. This position is designed for a dynamic, motivated, and detail-oriented professional who will be a senior member of the regional team. The specialist will provide guidance to clients and IFC’s investment and advisory teams on Environmental and Social (E&S) risk management, ensuring alignment with IFC Performance Standards and Sustainability Policy. The aim is to enhance E&S outcomes of IFC-supported investments and advisory mandates. The role involves early screening, due diligence, and portfolio supervision, as well as upstream and advisory services, contributing to knowledge management and capacity building with clients.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Environmental & Social Development Specialist include leading or contributing to the review of E&S issues and risks in new investments and advisory engagements across multiple sectors. This includes identifying and developing risk mitigation measures and value-add solutions that support clients throughout IFC’s project cycle. The specialist will provide clear and proactive guidance to investment teams on E&S risk management, ensuring effective use of resources and timely completion of deliverables. Monitoring portfolio clients and ensuring compliance with E&S requirements is essential, as is supporting industry teams in response to Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) requests. The role also involves building client capacity on E&S risk management, contributing to portfolio analysis, and identifying systemic issues in the market. Additionally, the specialist will participate in knowledge management initiatives, prepare management briefs, and mentor junior staff.
Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree or equivalent in sociology/social sciences, environmental management/engineering, economics, or other relevant disciplines. Candidates must have a minimum of 12 years of professional experience in E&S risk management, preferably in the private sector across various industry sectors. Familiarity with E&S Policies and Standards, particularly those of the World Bank Group and other international financial institutions, is essential. Experience in emerging markets, especially in Asia, is highly desirable. Strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to synthesize diverse information sources are crucial for success in this role.
Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as sociology, social sciences, environmental management, engineering, or economics. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of E&S risk management and its implications in various sectors.
Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 12 years of professional experience in E&S risk management, with a strong preference for experience in the private sector. This experience should encompass working across different industry sectors and ideally include familiarity with E&S Policies and Standards of the World Bank Group and other international financial institutions. Experience in emerging markets, particularly in Asia, is also highly valued.
Languages:
Proficiency in English is essential for this position. While English is the mandatory language, additional languages may be beneficial but are not specified as required.
Additional Notes:
This position is an international recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 3 years. The role is full-time and involves regular travel to emerging market countries. The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to being an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, ensuring a diverse workforce and a respectful work environment.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group, which is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Established to promote sustainable development, the IFC focuses on the private sector in emerging markets, operating in over 100 countries. The organization is dedicated to ending poverty and increasing shared prosperity through investments in groundbreaking projects. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. The IFC has more than 120 offices worldwide and works with public and private sector partners to develop solutions to urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
Job Overview:
The Senior Environmental & Social Development Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting infrastructure, manufacturing, services, and agribusiness-related transactions in the South Asia region. This position is designed for a dynamic, motivated, and detail-oriented professional who will be a senior member of the regional team. The specialist will provide guidance to clients and IFC’s investment and advisory teams on Environmental and Social (E&S) risk management, ensuring alignment with IFC Performance Standards and Sustainability Policy. The aim is to enhance E&S outcomes of IFC-supported investments and advisory mandates. The role involves early screening, due diligence, and portfolio supervision, as well as upstream and advisory services, contributing to knowledge management and capacity building with clients.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Environmental & Social Development Specialist include leading or contributing to the review of E&S issues and risks in new investments and advisory engagements across multiple sectors. This includes identifying and developing risk mitigation measures and value-add solutions that support clients throughout IFC’s project cycle. The specialist will provide clear and proactive guidance to investment teams on E&S risk management, ensuring effective use of resources and timely completion of deliverables. Monitoring portfolio clients and ensuring compliance with E&S requirements is essential, as is supporting industry teams in response to Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) requests. The role also involves building client capacity on E&S risk management, contributing to portfolio analysis, and identifying systemic issues in the market. Additionally, the specialist will participate in knowledge management initiatives, prepare management briefs, and mentor junior staff.
Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree or equivalent in sociology/social sciences, environmental management/engineering, economics, or other relevant disciplines. Candidates must have a minimum of 12 years of professional experience in E&S risk management, preferably in the private sector across various industry sectors. Familiarity with E&S Policies and Standards, particularly those of the World Bank Group and other international financial institutions, is essential. Experience in emerging markets, especially in Asia, is highly desirable. Strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to synthesize diverse information sources are crucial for success in this role.
Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as sociology, social sciences, environmental management, engineering, or economics. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of E&S risk management and its implications in various sectors.
Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 12 years of professional experience in E&S risk management, with a strong preference for experience in the private sector. This experience should encompass working across different industry sectors and ideally include familiarity with E&S Policies and Standards of the World Bank Group and other international financial institutions. Experience in emerging markets, particularly in Asia, is also highly valued.
Languages:
Proficiency in English is essential for this position. While English is the mandatory language, additional languages may be beneficial but are not specified as required.
Additional Notes:
This position is an international recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 3 years. The role is full-time and involves regular travel to emerging market countries. The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to being an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, ensuring a diverse workforce and a respectful work environment.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.