Principal Environment - Safeguards Specialist

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Duties and Accountabilities: Under the general direction of the Manager, ORQR3, the incumbent will support the overall environmental mainstreaming in Bank operations and provide technical guidance on environmental sustainability and safeguard issues and on related operational policies, procedures and guidelines. Specific Duties and Responsibilities will include: 1. Regularly undertake: (i) environmental categorization of projects, (ii) technical review of strategic environmental and social assessments (SESAs), environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) and related environmental and social management plan (ESMPs) (and their summary reports) to ensure the quality control of documents, adequacy of mitigation and enhancement measures, and compliance to environmental safeguard assessment procedures (ESAP) and (iii) assess institutional capabilities at RMCs and project level to ensure environmental safeguard plans implementation. Regularly undertake portfolio review on implementation of ESMPs. 2. Carry out the preparation and updating of key ESAP/EIA procedures (safeguards), including, preparation and updating of tools, formats/manuals and procedures including the revision of the Bank Environmental and Social Assessment Procedures (ESAP). This includes the revision or updating of Safeguard-related policies as well. 3. Initiate, undertake and coordinate activities in generating/disseminating knowledge both in-house and externally on environmental sustainability, including environmental management and Bank policies and safeguards through research, studies and networking initiatives. Initiate a Bank-wide environment knowledge network to improve communications and modus operandi –especially on safeguards- among environmentalists, and to a relevant extent social specialists, Undertake and coordinate Bank training and capacity building on environmental sustainability and safeguards at both Bank staff and RMC level and the production of related training products/materials, learning tools and reporting documents; 4. Prepare / facilitate Management Response to Requests for Inspection Panel Reports as well as Inspection Panel Reports themselves, and the monitoring of follow-up activities as required. Prepare/facilitate Management Response to Independent ex-post evaluation reports. 5. Support Bank Operations staff in meeting Bank requirements with respect to environmental mainstreaming, (including environmental aspects of SESAs, project level ESIAs and use of country systems for environmental assessment and by providing technical comments and reviews and participating documents preparation processes. 6. Periodically undertake, as directed, monitoring and progress reporting of the implementation of Bank environmental safeguard policies and procedures, including lessons learnt and strategic directions. 7. Establish and manage partnerships and networking initiatives with multilateral, bilateral and other development agencies at international, regional and national level to advance the safeguards agenda; and represent the Bank in national, regional and global conferences, workshops and training seminars. Selection Criteria: (including desirable skills, knowledge and experience) ? At least a Master’s Degree or its university equivalent in Environment Policy, Environmental Management and Environment Economics, Environment Sciences, Environment Engineering, or in any equivalent environment related discipline pertinent to Bank operations. ? Preferably a minimum of six (6) years of experience in preparing, appraising, managing or supervising sustainable development and environmental projects and programs, in operations monitoring and evaluation, and/or in preparing and implementing operational policies and guidelines. Combined experience in the implementation of operations and in policy management is an asset. Must be able to distinguish between the compliance requirements of public vs. private sector operations. ? Demonstrable knowledge of the operational policies, procedures and practices of major bilateral and multilateral partner development agencies in the regional member countries is a must. ? Results-oriented, team player, articulate analyst with attention to details, a persuasive communicator and good writer. ? Competence in the use of standard Bank software (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, MS Projects); knowledge of SAP highly desirable. ? Ability to communicate and write effectively in English and French.