Environmental Specialist

 Description

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. Visit www.worldbank.org

The Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy (ENB) Global Practice has five key business lines consisting of lending and non-lending services in (1) Forests, Watersheds and Sustainable Landscapes (Green business line); (2) Marine, Coastal, Aquatic Resources and Ocean Health (Blue Economy business line); (3) Pollution Management and Environmental Health (Pollution Management business line); (4) Environmental Economics, Policies and Institutions business line, and (5) Safeguards / Environmental Risk Management business line, supporting delivery of effective environmental risk management and sustainability by managing risk at the project level and creating opportunities to advance sustainable development. This includes provision of high-quality and timely safeguards services across the Bank, including current safeguards policies and the effective implementation of the new Environment and Social Framework (ESF) that was rolled out on October 1, 2018.

The ENB Global Practice in Sub Saharan Africa includes four units SAWE1, SAWE2, SAWE3 and SAWE4. The mission of the SAWE1 unit is to work with national and local governments and with communities to improve sustainable management of natural resources and improve preparedness to natural disasters in the following three Country Management Units: AWCF1 (Senegal), AWCF2 (Cote d’Ivoire) and AWCW3 (Mali).

SAWE1 is seeking to recruit an Environmental Specialist based in the N’Djamena country office to provide mostly environmental safeguards (90%) and some operational assistance (10%) to the delivery and implementation of its business lines. The selected candidate will work under the supervision of the Practice Manager for SAWE1 based in the WB's Dakar Office.

Scope of Work

Environment Safeguard and Standards

There are currently about 20 projects in Chad, including both national and regional projects. Some of these projects due to their induced potential risks and impacts require sustained support as local capacity in environmental risk management is rather weak.  In accordance with the Bank’s Safeguards and ESF policies, the Environmental Specialist will:

During project preparation for Concept Review: Screen potential Environmental and Social (E&S) risks and impacts; Determine the appropriate risk classification taking into account relevant issues and proposed project activities; and Prepare Concept Environmental and Social Review Summary (ESRS). 

During project preparation for Decision Meeting and Appraisal: Conduct thorough assessment of E&S risks and impacts; Review the risk classification assigned to the project and update as needed; Review E&S documents (ESCP, SEP, LMP, ESMF, ESIAs/ESMPs) available prior to Appraisal; and Prepare Appraisal ESRS.

During project implementation: Review E&S documents prepared during implementation; Review the risk classification assigned to the project and update as needed; Work with the client to ensure preparation and quality review of the documents needed during implementation; Contribute well-written summaries of key ESF instruments for inclusion in project documentation; and Engage in a dialogue with the client to strengthen the country institutional capacity in the management of E&S risks and impacts. 

During both preparation and implementation: Go beyond narrow policy compliance to look for opportunities to support clients in their goal to reduce poverty and increase prosperity in a sustainable manner for the benefit of the environment and their citizens.  Work closely with the project task team and especially the Social Development Specialist assigned to each operation to develop and implement projects that are environmentally and socially sustainable, and to enhance the capacity of Borrowers’ environmental and social frameworks to assess and manage the environmental and social risks and impacts of projects. 

Operations and Institutional Capacity Building

Provide support to the ENB portfolio development, implementation support and policy dialogue in Chad including:

Operations support

• Day-to-day follow up on Chad ENB portfolio project preparation and implementation;
• Ensuring quality control of project documents and other relevant operational outputs;
• Reviewing and ensuring quality of TORs for activities submitted by the client to ensure alignment with the project objectives, and consistency with World Bank fiduciary policies and procedures;
• Participating in implementation support and supervision missions under the guidance of the TTL and managing the day-to-day communications with the client on project progress; and
• Contributing to mission aide-memoires, ISRs, ICRs and ensuring timely execution of mission action plans.

Institutional capacity building

• Contribute to the country’s E&S Management capacity building by leading the discussion with the Ministry of Environment through the ESF procedures, requirements and application of standards, as well as the sustainability of operations to lead to green economic development across sectors; and
• Support the development of a network of World Bank project E&S specialists to foster training coordination, exchange of experience and standardizing procedures, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or equivalent in environmental science, environmental engineering, natural resource management, geography or a related field;
• 5+ years of proven, relevant professional experience;
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse qualitative and quantitative environmentally related data and information;
• Familiarity with the World Bank Group’s organizational structure, its Policies and Procedures and experience working on World Bank Group projects is preferred; 
• Advanced knowledge of World Bank Environmental and Social Standards and of Chad’s E&S management procedures, rules and regulations; 
• Experienced in the preparation and implementations of safeguards instruments;
• Good team player who can work as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, motivate and lead group efforts and network effectively across boundaries; ability to function independently, with a high degree of motivation, flexibility and reliability;
• Good local/national knowledge, networks and experience including working with the public sector; 
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills in English and French to deliver information effectively in support of team or workgroup; ability to tailor communication style to meet audience needs;
• Advanced working skills in multiple software applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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.

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