Environment and Social Specialist

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 help countries solve their greatest development challenges, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and over 120 offices worldwide, the WBG collaborates with public and private sector partners to invest in groundbreaking projects, utilizing data, research, and technology to develop solutions to urgent global challenges. IFC specifically focuses on the private sector in emerging markets, working in more than 100 countries to create markets and opportunities. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

Job Overview:
The Environment and Social (E&S) team at IFC is dedicated to identifying, managing, and mitigating environmental and social risks in private sector investments, ensuring alignment with IFC’s Performance Standards. The team plays a crucial role in enabling projects across emerging markets to operate responsibly, safeguard communities and ecosystems, and contribute to sustainable economic growth. The Environment and Social Specialist position is pivotal in driving sustainable development by ensuring that projects meet IFC’s environmental and social standards. This role supports private sector investments across the CATES region, fostering positive impact, mitigating risks, and advancing inclusive growth in emerging markets. The specialist will be responsible for conducting thorough environmental and social due diligence, providing expert guidance to clients, collaborating with investment teams, leading stakeholder engagement efforts, monitoring project performance, delivering capacity-building initiatives, and contributing to the development of IFC’s environmental and social policies and methodologies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Environment and Social Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: conducting thorough environmental and social due diligence for IFC investment projects to ensure alignment with IFC Performance Standards and applicable policies; providing expert guidance to clients on developing and implementing Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAPs) to address identified risks and improve project outcomes; collaborating with investment teams to integrate environmental and social risk management into project structuring, decision-making, and portfolio monitoring processes; leading stakeholder engagement efforts, including consultations with affected communities, government agencies, and other relevant parties to ensure inclusive and transparent communication; monitoring the environmental and social performance of IFC-financed projects, identifying gaps, and recommending corrective actions to ensure compliance and continuous improvement; delivering capacity-building initiatives for clients and partners, including training programs and workshops to strengthen their ability to manage environmental and social risks effectively; providing technical expertise on emerging environmental and social issues, such as stakeholder engagement, resource efficiency, human rights, and labor standards; supporting the development and refinement of IFC’s environmental and social policies, tools, and methodologies; and actively contributing to knowledge-sharing and collaboration within the MCA region and across IFC, fostering innovation and best practices in environmental and social risk management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (Master's or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resource Management, or a related field, with a strong focus on sustainability and environmental and social risk management. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in environmental and social risk management is required, preferably in emerging markets and across diverse sectors such as infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, or manufacturing. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in applying IFC Performance Standards, Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines, and other international environmental and social frameworks to complex, high-risk projects. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, along with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences. The ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams is also crucial, as is strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality results under pressure. A high level of integrity, adaptability, and resilience is expected, along with a proactive and results-oriented approach to addressing challenges in dynamic and complex environments.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree (Master's or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resource Management, or a related discipline. This educational foundation should emphasize sustainability and environmental and social risk management, equipping candidates with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively address the challenges associated with environmental and social issues in private sector investments.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in environmental and social risk management. This experience should preferably be in emerging markets and across diverse sectors, including infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, or manufacturing. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in applying IFC Performance Standards and other international environmental and social frameworks to complex, high-risk projects, showcasing their ability to navigate the intricacies of environmental and social risk management in various contexts.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English. Additionally, knowledge of Turkish, Russian, and Arabic is preferred, as these languages will enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is a local recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 3 years. The role is full-time and may require frequent travel, sometimes to remote field locations with limited amenities. 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 that all individuals are treated fairly and without discrimination based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.