Environment and Social Specialist, PPP - South America Region
Job #: req31111
Organization: IFC
Sector: Environment
Grade: GG
Term Duration: 3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location:
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Required Language(s): English and Portuguese or Spanish
Preferred Language(s)
Closing Date: 1/23/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.
IFC’s advisory activities include advice in public-private partnerships (PPPs) to help national and municipal governments with the selection of private sector partners to improve basic infrastructure and services, mainly in the power, transportation, sanitation, education, and healthcare sectors. IFC typically plays the role of lead advisor in PPP transactions, working closely with public clients, managing external consultants, and applying the same standards it applies to its own portfolio. IFC has a significant number of active PPP advisory projects in the South America Region, requiring Environmental and Social (E&S) support.
IFC South America Region E&S team is looking for a motivated and detail-oriented professional with experience in assessing E&S risks of infrastructure and service projects in the region, from an early stage and with limited information, and assisting public and private sector clients in Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Environmental and Social Due Diligence for infrastructure and service projects. The candidate will need strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills to join the South America team and support the IFC PPP Advisory Services business in the region.
The position will report to the ESG Regional Manager for the South America region.
Duties And Accountabilities
1. Identify key E&S risks associated with PPP projects against the requirements of IFC’s Performance Standards.
2. Prepare internal E&S documentation to enable IFC’s decision making and attend internal meetings.
3. Undertake site visits and meet with IFC PPP clients and other relevant public entities. This task includes workshops and trainings for public officers to present IFC Performance Standards and good international industry practice in E&S risk management and explain measures to align the project with such standards and practice.
4. Define the scope of work for E&S Studies, support the selection of consultants for the development of such studies, and review interim and final studies for alignment with IFC Performance Standards, accurateness, and completeness.
5. Define the E&S content of IFC’s mandates and discuss with internal and external stakeholders to clarify objectives and manage expectations.
6. Provide E&S related capacity building to PPP clients and their consultants. This task includes providing guidance on conducting E&S Impact Assessment studies, Stakeholder Engagement Plans, Resettlement Action Plans, and other E&S studies and/or providing guidance on defining and implementing E&S mitigation measures, as the case may be.
7. Define tailored solutions to manage E&S risks and impacts of PPP projects and coordinate E&S consultants and subject-matter experts to provide integrated and coherent E&S input for the PPP tender process and explain such input to internal and external stakeholders.
8. Provide monthly updates on the E&S performance of PPP projects in the region and support the preparation of sectoral and regional portfolio reviews.
9. Upon request and based on business needs, provide E&S support to selected IFC Direct Investment and/or Upstream projects.
Selection Criteria
1. Master Degree in environmental engineering, environment and/or natural resource management or social science, international development, and sustainable development, or other relevant discipline(s).
2. Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in E&S risk management of infrastructure and service projects as well as development and review of safeguards documentation such as Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Environmental and Social Due Diligence, Environmental Site Assessment, Resettlement Action Plan, Livelihood Restoration Plan, and Stakeholder/Community Engagement Plan.
3. Knowledge and experience in applying IFC’s Performance Standards and supporting documents, such as Guidance Notes and other IFC publications on sustainability.
4. Relevant experience in the LAC region.
5. Track record in working with public and private sector clients to identify E&S risks and issues and develop mitigation measures to ensure compliance with good international industry practice.
6. Ability to communicate effectively and concisely in spoken and written English and Portuguese or Spanish is essential. Additional language skills are advantageous.
7. Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze, and synthesize diverse information sources, and draw conclusions from limited data.
8. Exemplary project management skills and ability to adapt to changing circumstances, prioritize deliverables, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
9. Pragmatic, solution-oriented, problem solver with a high degree of responsiveness and proactivity, coupled with the ability to recognize when a solution is not available.
10. Willing and able to regularly travel to emerging market countries.
11. A good team player with strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, work effectively in and influence a team, and network effectively across boundaries.
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.
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