Senior Environmental Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group is a prominent global institution established to provide funding and knowledge to developing countries. It is a unique partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and over 120 offices worldwide, the World Bank Group collaborates with public and private sector partners to invest in groundbreaking projects, utilizing data, research, and technology to address urgent global challenges. The Eastern and Southern Africa Region, which is home to approximately 700 million people across 26 countries, is a focus area for the World Bank, where it aims to stimulate job creation, support the digital economy, enhance institutional efficiency, invest in human capital, and address climate change and fragility issues. The organization emphasizes building partnerships and working across the African continent to achieve these goals.

Job Overview:
The Senior Environmental Specialist position is based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and is focused on environmental and social risk management, including health and safety aspects. The World Bank is actively supporting the DRC government in its development strategy, which includes financing for critical infrastructure, health, community development, and forest landscape programs. The specialist will be responsible for implementing the World Bank's environmental and social risk management policies, including the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and Safeguard Policies. This role requires building national systems and capacity to manage environmental and social risks associated with World Bank-funded activities, ensuring compliance with ambitious environmental, social, health, and safety standards across all investment projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Environmental Specialist will have several key responsibilities, including: ensuring effective integration of environmental, health, and safety due diligence into the design, appraisal, and implementation of World Bank Group-supported projects; providing guidance to clients and counterpart organizations in preparing project documents in accordance with the ESF and World Bank operational policies; advising on the preparation and implementation of environmental impact assessments and management plans; organizing needs assessments and capacity-building training on environmental, health, and safety risk management; leading analytical work on risk management and systems assessment; and collaborating with other World Bank teams to enhance environmental and social risk management capacity.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in engineering (environmental, civil, or chemical) or in environmental and natural resource management. A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in environmental management is required, particularly in managing environmental, social, health, and safety risks of large infrastructure projects. Technical experience in managing risks associated with sectors such as oil and gas, roads, dams, and irrigation schemes is highly beneficial. Candidates should also demonstrate project management skills, knowledge of environmental legislation in DRC, and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in a relevant field such as environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, or environmental and natural resource management is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of environmental and social risk management in the context of large infrastructure projects.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of full-time relevant professional experience in environmental management, particularly in managing the environmental, social, health, and safety risks associated with large infrastructure projects. Experience in developing countries and familiarity with the institutional and political context of environmental policy challenges is also important. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to work under pressure and manage projects effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is mandatory, encompassing writing, speaking, listening, and reading skills. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders in the DRC and beyond.

Additional Notes:
This position is a local recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 3 years. The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including retirement plans, medical, life, and disability insurance, paid leave, and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees regardless of gender, identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.