Environmental Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group is a prominent global partnership consisting of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. Established with the aim of providing funding and knowledge to developing countries, the organization has 189 member countries and operates more than 120 offices worldwide. The World Bank focuses on various sectors, including infrastructure, education, health, and environmental sustainability, and works closely with public and private sector partners to implement groundbreaking projects that address urgent global challenges. The Eastern and Southern Africa Region, where this position is located, is home to approximately 700 million people and encompasses 26 countries, showcasing a rich diversity in culture and economy. The World Bank's mission in this region includes creating jobs, building a digital economy, improving institutional efficiency, investing in human capital, supporting climate change initiatives, and addressing the drivers of fragility and conflict. The organization emphasizes collaboration and partnerships across the African continent to foster regional integration and development.

Job Overview:
The Environmental Specialist position at the World Bank in Maputo, Mozambique, is focused on environmental and social risk management. The role involves implementing the World Bank’s environmental and social risk management policies, including the Safeguard Policies and the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). The specialist will be responsible for ensuring that all World Bank-supported investment projects adhere to high environmental, social, health, and safety standards. This position requires a proactive approach to building national systems and capacity for effective environmental management, as well as providing technical support and oversight for investment projects. The Environmental Specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including national agencies, local governments, and public/private sector practitioners, to integrate environmental considerations into project design and implementation. The role also includes conducting needs assessments, capacity building, and technical training to enhance risk management capabilities in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Environmental Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Ensuring the effective integration of environmental, health, and safety considerations into the design, preparation, appraisal, and implementation of World Bank-supported projects, in accordance with the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and World Bank Group EHS guidelines.
• Overseeing compliance with relevant environmental and social frameworks, including the IFC Performance Standards.
• Guiding and supporting clients in preparing essential project documents such as Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs), Labor Management Plans (LMPs), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs), and Project Implementation Manuals (PIMs).
• Supporting timely and accurate disclosure procedures and public consultations for all required environmental assessments and management instruments.
• Providing guidance on specialized plans related to biodiversity, waste management, occupational and community health and safety, and dam safety.
• Organizing and delivering needs assessments, capacity building, and technical training on environmental, health, and safety risk management for various stakeholders.
• Collaborating with other World Bank teams to integrate risk management capacity development into sectoral programs.
• Working closely with the unit’s Lead Environmental and Social Specialists and the CMU ESF Coordinator to ensure quality and consistency in environmental and social work across the region.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Environmental Specialist position must possess an advanced degree (Master’s) in environmental or natural sciences or environmental/civil engineering, along with strong technical training in related fields such as occupational health and safety, solid waste management, civil engineering, and biodiversity conservation. Additionally, a minimum of five years of full-time, relevant professional experience in environmental management is required. This experience should include managing environmental, social, health, and safety risks associated with large infrastructure, extractive, or industrial projects, as well as familiarity with the World Bank Group ESF and similar global sustainability frameworks. Candidates should demonstrate project management and operational skills, particularly in occupational health and safety management, and have experience working with contractors of varying capacities. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, along with the ability to work under pressure, are essential. Experience in developing countries and an understanding of institutional and political contexts, particularly in fragile, conflict, and violence (FCV) settings, is highly beneficial.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree (Master’s) in environmental/natural sciences or environmental/civil engineering. Candidates should have a solid technical background in related topics such as occupational health and safety, solid waste management, civil engineering, pollution prevention and management, and biodiversity conservation. This educational foundation is crucial for effectively managing the environmental and social risks associated with World Bank-supported projects.

Experience:
The Environmental Specialist role necessitates a minimum of five years of full-time, relevant professional experience in environmental management. This experience should encompass managing environmental, social, health, and safety risks for large infrastructure, extractive, or industrial projects. Candidates should also have experience applying the World Bank Group ESF and similar global sustainability frameworks, including the preparation of environmental safeguard and risk management documents. Technical experience in managing environmental, social, health, and safety risks of large infrastructure projects is highly desirable, as is experience in capacity building for environmental, health, and safety risk management.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Portuguese, both oral and written, is required for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the preparation of project documents. While additional languages may be beneficial, English and Portuguese are mandatory for fulfilling the responsibilities of the Environmental Specialist role.

Additional Notes:
This position is a local recruitment opportunity with a term duration of three years. The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and prides itself on being an equal opportunity and inclusive employer. The Environmental Specialist role may require extensive travel, including to remote rural areas, to effectively engage with various stakeholders and oversee project implementation.