E T Consultant - Sustainable Development Unit

The Sustainable Development Unit’s mission is to help the Bank's clients in the East Asia and the Pacific Region (EAP) to reduce poverty and achieve environmentally and socially sustainable development. An Environment Team is part of the larger Sustainable Development Unit (which also includes units working on energy, transport, rural, social, and urban issues).

The work program for the Environment Team falls into the following areas: (i) providing technical input and advice to sector projects and programs and ensuring compliance of the EAP operations with the Bank’s environmental safeguard policies; (ii) leading the Bank's work—including lending and non-lending operations—on environmental management, specifically focusing on strengthening institutional capacity, improving environmental quality and the sustainable management of natural resources, and promoting equitable solutions in managing  the global commons (e.g., climate change, biodiversity conservation and others); and (iii) leading the Bank’s work on global environmental issues including the management of projects aimed at implementing international conventions supported through special financing mechanisms such as the Multi-donor fund for the Montreal Protocol, the Global Environmental Facility. 

Working in close collaboration with colleagues in other Sustainable Development units and other units of the Bank such as Human Development, the Environment Specialist will manage and support operations related to the first two areas of the work program. He/she will work according to an annual work plan, adjusted periodically as necessary. He/she will work under the guidance and mentoring of the Country Sector Coordinator, Mr. Douglas J. Graham, reporting ultimately to the Sustainable Development Sector Manager, Hoonae Kim, both based in Hanoi.

The assignment is for one year, starting as soon as possible. The assignment can be renewed for an additional year (maximum of two year) based on satisfactory performance, and subject to funding being available. The duty station is Ho Chi Minh city Office with some travel to the provinces envisaged, as required to undertake the above assignments.

DUTIES

a. Participate as task team member in lending operations undertaken by sector units, advising on environmental approaches, policies, and technical issues including safeguard issues, during preparation and supervision.
b. Proactively work with the task teams, Country Sector Coordinator, and clients to improve the performance of the portfolio with regard to environmental safeguards and outcomes.
c. Support environmental operations financed by the Bank, GEF, or other sources including project identification, preparation, processing, and supervision.
d. In coordination with the Regional Safeguard Coordinator (based in Washington) and the Country Sector Coordinator for Vietnam, undertake safeguard reviews of projects and in-country reviews and thematic supervisions, prepare reports, and disseminate lessons learned.
e. Contribute to environmental analytical activities under the guidance of the lead Economist or the Country Sector Coordinator for Vietnam or such activities undertaken by other sectors.
f. Participate in country dialogue on environmental policy and strategy, and contribute to preparation of the Country Assistance Strategy.
g. Maintain effective communication with counterparts from MONRE and line ministries, and other local agencies and organizations on World Bank activities in the environment sector.
h. Represent the Bank in local meetings of environmental authorities, organizations, and multilateral and bilateral donors.
i. Advise clients and colleagues on environmental policy and technical matters, mentor junior staff, and conduct training courses
j. Assist in the design and delivery of knowledge management and training activities.

SELECTION

a. Graduate degree in a relevant field such as environmental engineering /science, environmental economics, natural resources management, or urban planning/management.
b. A minimum of 5 years relevant operational experience and proven track record in working on projects covering a broad range of environmental management issues.
c. Good understanding of environmental assessment policies, processes and procedures (Government’s or donors’).
d. Ability to think strategically and conduct dialogue on environmental policies and priorities, while maintaining a strong sense of realism with regard to in-country conditions and competing demands for resources.
e. Demonstrated capacity to work in teams and share knowledge.
f. Track record of dealing effectively with external and internal clients.
g. Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision on environmental activities, and achieving results with agreed upon objectives and deadlines.
h. Strong client orientation with commitment to results on the ground.
i. Strong communication skills, both written and oral in Vietnamese and English.