Social Development Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank is a global development cooperative established to provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries. It consists of two main entities: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). Founded in 1944, the World Bank is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and operates in over 100 countries, employing approximately 10,000 staff members. Its mission is to reduce poverty and support development by providing loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries. The World Bank is the largest development bank in the world and plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to regional and global challenges, particularly in areas such as social development, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

Job Overview:
The Social Development Specialist position is a critical role within the World Bank, specifically focused on social risk management in the Cameroon portfolio. The specialist will be responsible for managing issues related to the old Bank safeguards policies and the new Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). This position requires a deep understanding of social risk management principles and practices, as well as the ability to provide technical advice to borrowers on social sustainability. The specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including task teams, clients, and regional safeguards coordinators, to ensure compliance with social risk management measures and enhance the social sustainability of projects. The role also involves building capacity with clients on safeguards and ESF issues, monitoring social risks, and providing on-site support to project teams. The specialist will report to the Practice Manager and collaborate with other teams across the CMU portfolio, contributing to the overall success of the World Bank's mission in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Social Development Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: supporting the preparation and implementation of Bank-financed projects by providing technical advice on social risk management; offering guidance in the preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), resettlement action plans (RAPs), and social management plans (SMPs); building capacity with clients on safeguards and ESF compliance; managing challenging cases of social risk management and responding to complaints; monitoring social risks and impacts through field visits; providing inputs for management regarding project-related complaints; participating in portfolio reviews; and collaborating with environmental colleagues to enhance client capacity in implementing the Bank's ESF. Additionally, the specialist will be involved in environmental and social risk portfolio management, including maintaining a comprehensive E&S portfolio database, tracking risk classification, and assisting teams in preparing Environmental and Social Review Summaries (ESRS). The role also requires overseeing the unit's ESF quality review process and providing training sessions to staff and consultants.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Social Development Specialist position must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant field such as public policy analysis, development economics, sociology, or law with a specialization in social/environmental standards. A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental and social risk management aligned with the World Bank’s ESF is required, preferably within World Bank-financed operations or comparable multilateral development banks (MDBs). Candidates should have experience in preparing, implementing, and monitoring ESF instruments, as well as demonstrated experience in social assessments and analyzing social risks across diverse socio-economic contexts. Proficiency in applying advanced qualitative and quantitative methods is essential, along with the ability to coordinate quality reviews and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a rigorous, discipline-based field relevant to social development. Preferred fields of study include public policy analysis, development economics, sociology, anthropology, human geography, or law with a specialization in social/environmental standards. Degrees emphasizing causal inference, impact evaluation, and advanced analytical/statistical methods are strongly preferred, as they align with the technical competencies needed for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental and social risk management. Candidates should have hands-on experience delivering analytical and operational products under tight timelines, particularly in the context of World Bank-financed operations or similar MDBs. Experience in preparing and monitoring ESF instruments, as well as managing social assessments and analyzing social risks, is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French is mandatory for this position, as excellent oral and written communication skills in both languages are essential. Candidates must be able to effectively communicate complex social development and ESF issues to diverse audiences, including government counterparts, project beneficiaries, and civil society. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered a plus, but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This is a locally recruited position, and applicants must already have lawful authorization to work in Cameroon, such as citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid, unrestricted work permit. The World Bank Group does not provide visa or work-permit sponsorship for locally recruited roles. The position is full-time with a term duration of 4 years. 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 diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity for all employees regardless of gender, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.