Background:
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) works to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through financial and technical support for countries working to reduce poverty and inequality, IDB helps improve health and education, and advance infrastructure. It aims to achieve development in a sustainable, climate-friendly way. The IDB is today the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. It provides loans, grants, and technical assistance; and it conducts extensive research. The IDB maintains a strong commitment to achieving measurable results and the highest standards of increased integrity, transparency, and accountability.
The IDB recognizes that long-term economic growth and the reduction of poverty and inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean depend on development that is both socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable. To that end, we have made a commitment to maximizing positive environmental and social outcomes of IDB’s work while minimizing risks and negative impacts on people and natural capital.
As a result of an evaluation of IDB’s Environmental and Social Policies, conducted by the Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) in 2018, the IDB is developing a new Environmental and Social Policy Framework (ESPF), expected to be approved in the second semester of 2020, with an implementation effectiveness in 2021. The Environmental and Social Risk Management Unit (ESR) was created in March 2020 as part of the organizational structure needed to implement the new ESPF.
The team’s mission:
ESR is responsible for: (i) providing environmental and social risk oversight of IDB-financed portfolio; (ii) providing quality assurance services for the environmental and social risk management solutions of IDB-financed operations throughout the project cycle, with special attention to high and substantial risk operations; (iii) managing and reporting information on the environmental and social risk of IDB portfolio in the Operational Risk Management Committee; and (iv) transferring lessons learned to the Environmental and Social Solutions Unit (ESG) under the Vice-Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge and other relevant departments, and contributing to the development of training, accreditation and guidance of environmental and social risk topics.
The Unit Chief of ESR will report to the Chief Risk Officer and will manage a team of six staff, to deliver the environmental and social risk oversight and quality assurance activities required by the IDB.
The ESR Chief will coordinate with ESG and other organizational units within the Vice Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge (VPS) and its sector departments, the Vice Presidency for Countries (VPC) and its country departments, other units of the Office of Risk Management (RMG) and other areas of the IDB, as needed.
What you’ll do:
Risk Oversight:
- Lead the environmental and social risk monitoring of IDB portfolio
- Maintain a watchlist of high and substantial risk operations with unsatisfactory performance
- Coordinate remedy action plans with ESG for the watchlist operations
- Identify issues and operational weaknesses that are systemic, thematic, or of policy nature; propose procedural or policy clarifications, as needed; and propose solutions in the Operational Risk Management Committee
- Report the environmental and social risk rating of IDB portfolio
- Perform assurance/reviews of environmental and social due diligence and supervision work quality on selected projects
- Conduct sector/region specific portfolio analysis to identify and assess risks and trends and quality assurance
Quality Assurance:
- Review E&S Category and scope of proposed due diligence at the Eligibility Review Meeting (ERM)
- At the Quality and Risk Review Meeting (QRR), assess the quality of the due diligence and analysis of environmental and social impacts and risks of IDB-financed operations, as well as the design of environmental and social risk management plans and the inclusion of effective and feasible measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse impacts of operations.
- Support the analysis and response to complaints filed under the Bank’s Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism (ICIM), or under any grievance mechanism, as well as the preparation of related action plans and reports, and if required, their subsequent presentation to the Board of Executive Directors.
Knowledge and Capacity:
- Provide feedback to the ESG Chief to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the ESPF management processes, systems, tools, metrics, indicators of success, as well as plans, guidance notes and training material.
- Provide technical advice and support in the development and implementation of certification programs on environmental and social risk management for IDB employees and executing agencies. Further ensures that clients are provided with capacity-building on ESG-related topics.
- Oversee ESR’s knowledge transfer activities to ESG and operation teams in sector departments to improve environmental and social risk management and compliance outcomes.
- Provide technical input and support the development of IDBG Country Strategies as needed.
Resource Management:
- Manage highly skilled interdisciplinary and multi-cultural professionals to provide environmental and social risk oversight and quality assurance, and to strengthen the ability to effectively meet business needs.
- Ensure proper coordination between functional areas within the IDB and leverages opportunities for synergies.
- Provide mentoring to Unit’s personnel.
- Oversee Human Resources and Budget decisions for the Unit.
What you’ll need:
Candidates should possess a deep understanding of environmental and social risk management issues related to operations of multilateral financial institutions. Knowledge and/or experience in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is essential.
- Proven management record in similar positions, including supervision of technically strong multi-disciplinary teams (preferably in a matrix structure).
- Proven background with a demonstrated track record in implementing and executing a complex and diverse array of environmental and social risk management services.
- Strong understanding of client needs and challenges, of different country/regional areas, market idiosyncrasies, and drivers of change in LAC, and how the IDB’s objectives can be effectively achieved.
- An understanding of the operational frameworks of public sector and/or multilateral institutions (including their special governance, mandates, safeguards, and human resources structures).
- Outstanding interpersonal skills with an ability to maintain trust and credibility and to generate networks.
- Solid change management experience in complex organizations.
- Exceptional ability for strategic thinking; outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills, with a clear ability to add value through creative thinking, in-depth, and disciplined analysis, and effective monitoring of metrics and results.
- The ability to attract, select, and motivate talented and diverse staff; an outstanding, effective people manager who models inclusive behaviors and promotes diversity.
- Capacity to plan and manage human resources and operations to achieve quality results in a productive and financially sustainable manner.
- Excellent planning, analysis, organization, negotiation, written/oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to understand the implications of evolving business requirements, to explain complex concepts clearly and effectively, and to formulate and communicate the strategic framework.
- An excellent team player with strong collaboration skills and drive for results who fosters a cooperative work environment.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills to effectively work with all levels of staff and key stakeholders across the IDBG, including Management, the Board of Executive Directors, various institutional committees, and particularly with clients.
- Unquestionable integrity and highest ethical standards.
Education and Professional Requirements:
Education: An advanced degree (at least Master’s, MBA, or equivalent) in a field related to addressing environmental or social impacts:
- Candidates with a focus on the environmental aspects should have an advanced degree in environment and/or natural resource management, environmental policy or engineering, or similar relevant disciplines, as well as proven experience in one or more areas of environmental risk management, such as: environment, biodiversity, health and safety (EHS); risk assessment; occupational, health and safety (OHS); due diligence, environmental site assessment, and compliance audits.
- Candidates with a focus on social aspects should have a graduate/advanced degree in social sciences, anthropology, sociology or other related relevant discipline as well as proven experience related to one or more areas of social risk management, such as: stakeholder engagement, labor and working conditions, gender, involuntary resettlement, Indigenous Peoples, and cultural heritage.
Experience: At least 10-12 years of relevant experience and a proven track record of managing and delivering environmental and social safeguard services, with 7-10 years at the senior leadership level. Experience in management positions in international financial institutions would be highly valued. Aptitude for working with data/statistics is a must.
Language Skills: Oral and written professional proficiency in English and Spanish required; knowledge of Portuguese and/or French is a plus.
Link to Technical Competencies (← please Ctrl + Click)
Link to Core Competencies (← please Ctrl + Click)
Opportunity Summary:
Type of contract: Fixed-term
Length of contract: 3 years, with possibility for renewal
Starting date: Upon agreement with the selected candidate
Location: Washington, D.C.
Requirements: You are a citizen of one of the 48 IDB Member Countries and have no family member working at the IDB Group
Our culture: Our people are committed and passionate about improving lives in Latin-America and the Caribbean, and they get to do what they love in a diverse, collaborative and stimulating work environment. We are the first Latin American and Caribbean development institution to be awarded the EDGE certification, recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality. As an employee you can be part of internal resource groups that connect our diverse community around common interests.
Because we are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace diversity based on gender, age, education, national origin, ethnic origin, race, disability, sexual orientation, and religion.
We encourage women, Afro-descendants and persons of indigenous origins to apply.
About us: At the IDB, we’re committed to improving lives. Since 1959, we’ve been a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. We do more than lending though. We partner with our 48-member countries to provide Latin America and the Caribbean with cutting-edge research about relevant development issues, policy advice to inform their decisions, and technical assistance to improve on the planning and execution of projects. For this, we need people who not only have the right skills, but also are passionate about improving lives.
The IDB offers a competitive remuneration and benefits package.
Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for our Region, the IDB Group is reviewing its hiring needs and re-prioritizing its areas of talent acquisition. We encourage candidates to continue to apply to the active postings, yet current job openings may be subject to further decisions in terms of timing of the processes, or other actions, in accordance with business needs. Final hiring decisions may also be conditioned to the candidate’s ability to timely relocate to the post of duty at the moment of starting service.
