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 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: 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 SAFE1, SAFE2, SAFE3 and SAFE4. The mission of the SAFE1 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: AFCF1 (Senegal), AFCF2 (Cote d’Ivoire) and AFCW3 (Mali).
SAFE1 is seeking to recruit an Extended Term Consultant (ETC) Environmental Specialist based in the Conakry country office to provide environmental safeguards and operational assistance to the delivery and implementation of its business lines. The selected candidate will work under supervision of the Practice Manager for SAFE1 based in the WB’s Washington Office.
Scope of Work
Environment Safeguard and Standards
There are currently 20 national projects in Guinea and 21 regional projects that include Guinea. Some of these projects require sustained support as local capacity is rather weak. In accordance with the Bank’s ESF, the consultant will:
During project preparation for Concept review:
• Screen potential E&S risks & impacts;
• Determine the appropriate risk classification taking into account relevant issues and proposed project activities;
• Prepare Concept ESRS (including basis for proposed ESRC);
• Submit Concept ESRS to E&S PMs for review and ‘Recommendation’.
During project preparation for Decision Meeting and Appraisal:
• Conduct thorough assessment of E&S risks & impacts;
• Review the risk classification assigned to the project and update as needed;
• Review E&S documents available prior to Appraisal;
• Prepare Appraisal ESRS;
• Submit Appraisal ESRS, ESCP, SEP and any other E&S documents available prior to Appraisal to E&S PMs for review and ‘Recommendation’ and/or clearance.
During project implementation:
• Review E&S documents prepared during implementation, as per the ESCP;
• 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;
• Submit E&S documents to E&S PMs for Clearance through the ESMS Disclosure Tool.
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 Policy Dialogue
Provide substantive support in the ENB portfolio development, implementation support and policy dialogue in Guinea including:
Operations support:
• Day-to-day follow up on the Guinea NRM & Mining 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;
• Organizing regular VCs with counterparts;
• Contributing to the review of annual budgeted workplans and related procurement plans;
• 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;
• Contributing to mission aide-memoires, ISRs and ensuring timely execution of missions’ action plans;
Institutional capacity building:
• Contribute to the country’s Environment and Social Management capacity building by leading the discussion with BGACE through both the ESF processes and application of standards, but also for sustainability of operations to lead to green economic development across sectors;
• Support the development of a network of World Bank project E&S specialists for training coordination, exchange of experience and standardize procedures with the BGACE.
Policy dialogue:
• Follow developments in country related to environment and climate legislation, as well as key issues such as the NDC, and how they relate to the NRM & Mining program;
• Maintain a database on projects and initiatives on the environment and the management of natural resources in Guinea;
• Coordinate with other development partners – both in terms of their projects and potential synergies, but also to coordinate and maintain a dialogue with key partners in Guinea;
• Support the CMU and represent the team in environment and climate meetings in-country.
Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree or equivalent in environmental economics, environmental science, natural resource management, geography or a related field;
• 8+ 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 Bank Environmental and Social Standards;
• 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).
