Environmental Specialist - Amazon Initiative

Background / General description:

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is a leader in sustainable investment in emerging markets. IFC is increasingly investing in projects with environmental and social risk issues related to the Amazon region in Brazil. These projects pose challenges to IFC because they often require the development of innovative and untested solutions to the challenges of sustainability involving a wide range of stakeholders, from community residents and small farmers and local NGOS, CEOs/CFOs of client and non-client companies, to international NGO and World Bank staff.  The IFC has developed an Amazon Initiative Framework, an integrated World Bank Group approach to support the sustainable development of the Amazon. Such Initiative contemplates a combination of IFC financing and technical assistance to create incentives and new businesses models for private sector investments in the region. IFC s main objectives are to improve the conditions for sustainable business models, develop sustainable value chain with suppliers and local communities, while protecting the environment, and to disseminate good practice in each industry sector.  The Amazon Initiative is now seeking to recruit an Environmental Specialist with expertise in the Amazon to integrate in the team. The appointee will report to the Amazon Initiative Team leader and also to IFC s Environmental and Social Development Department (CES) and will be stationed in the Sao Paulo office.

Duties and Accountabilities:

  Work in coordination with IFC CES department to screen potential new investments, and conduct thorough due diligence as part of IFC s approval process for projects in the Amazon.  Following an IFC investment, supervise portfolio projects following IFC s Policy and Performance Standards on Environment and Social Responsibility.  http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/enviro.nsf/Content/EnvSocStandards;  
  Provide expert environmental/social development advice and assistance to clients for positive sustainable development outcomes;  
  Advise investment department on environmental and social issues in investments in the Amazon and make sure that environmental/social issues are addressed from the beginning of the process;  
  Support IFC advisory services units in the development of advisory projects linked to investments or stand alone capacity building;  
  Keep up to date with legislation changes in the Brazilian Legal Amazon  and evaluate the impact of these changes in investments and projects in the Amazon;  
  Develop a network of consultants to assist IFC with environmental and social reviews and other related efforts in the Amazon;  
  Facilitate communication, consultation, and information disclosure between various stakeholders (public, private, and civil society).

Selection Criteria:

  An advanced degree (post graduate degree) such as forestry, environmental sciences, natural resource management, tropical agriculture (sectors such as livestock and commercial scale agriculture particularly relevant)  or other relevant related discipline;  
  At least 10 years relevant professional experience and 5 years of practical experience working in the Amazon.  Experience working with forestry and/or agribusiness in the Amazon is a plus;  
  In-depth familiarity with the Brazilian private sector and with commercial supply chains;  
  Excellent verbal and written English and Portuguese language skills;  
  Ability to travel frequently;  
  Sensitive to social issues. Excellent understanding of environmental/social and community issues in the project as well as the regional context;   
  Extensive knowledge of Brazilian Environmental and land tenure legislation;  
  Practical experience with bio-trade, watershed payments, carbon payments, and climate change issues is a plus;  
  Demonstrated ability to network with appropriate public and/or private sector stakeholders, including Research and Development institutions, Universities, Environmental NGOs, development institutes and relevant government agencies;  
  Pro-active with strong interpersonal and teamwork skills and ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries and in a multi-disciplinary team environment.   The position will be based in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Resumes should not exceed two pages and other supporting materials should be no more than four pages (including cover letter).  All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.  Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.