Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises of 30 extremely diverse countries, with a population of nearly 500 million people. Four of our clients are IDA only and another 5 are IDA blend countries. The remaining 21 are IBRD eligible. Although 10 of our clients have joined the EU and 7 of these have graduated, most continue to remain active recipients of knowledge and/or lending services. Country Partnership Strategies (CPSs) reflect this strong diversity with substantial variation in lending prospects, but strong demand for Bank technical services is present across the board. The World Bank is helping its ECA clients by implementing a regional strategy that is focused on addressing three critical challenges to growth and development—improving competitiveness, reforming the social sectors to achieve inclusive growth, and making growth more sustainable through climate action. Governance and gender issues cut across these three strategic pillars.
The Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice has been set-up to deliver on the opportunities, benefits and outcomes offered by enhanced management of the environment and natural resources. The ENB GP has close to 300 operations under management, representing close to $7 billion, and a growing pipeline of new investments under active development. The practice consists of over 300 staff across the world plus numerous other staff in other Practices and CCSAs that are professionally associated with it.
The Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice (ENB GP) serves to:
- Provide clients with lending and non-lending services aimed to support the GP’s three core business lines, namely: (i) Forests, Watersheds and Sustainable Landscapes; (ii) Marine, Coastal and Aquatic Resources; and (iii) Pollution Management and Environmental Health. The GP’s activities also include a focus on Clean and Resilient Growth through its work on environmental economics and support to institutional development; and
- Support effective environmental risk management and sustainability by managing risk at the project level and creating opportunities to advance sustainable development, in part through the implementation of the Bank’s environmental policies such as Safeguards Policies for investment projects with concept notes approved before October 1, 2018 and the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and respective Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) for all other investment projects.
The recruitment
The ENB Unit in the ECA Sustainable Development Department (SCAEN) is seeking to recruit an environment specialist on an Extended Term Consultant (ETC) contract, to be based at the Ankara’s World Bank office. Working in close collaboration with colleagues in the Unit (a team of over 35 staff, more than half of which are based in various ECA countries), the specialist’s responsibilities will be focused on providing support to the World Bank portfolio of projects on environmental safeguards and the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). He/she will work under the guidance and mentoring of senior environmental specialists in the Unit, reporting to the SCAEN Manager based in Washington DC.
Duties and Accountabilities
Provide conceptual, operational and technical support to World Bank operations on environmental safeguards and standards under World Bank policies and the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) including: i) advise Client on the requirements of environmental safeguard policies to guide them on delivering quality environmental safeguards project documentation and supporting analysis; ii) supervise the Borrower’s preparation of safeguard documents and implementation of safeguard procedures to meet the Bank’s requirements including roll out of the ESF; (iii) work with technical colleagues to understand technical proposals and identify environmental issues as well as management solutions at early stage of project; (iv) prepare Bank internal safeguard/ESF documents; (v) carry out monitoring and supervision on client’s compliance to environmental commitments during project implementation; (vi) promote knowledge sharing and experience exchange on safeguard issues. Close cooperation with the Social Safeguards/Standards Specialist assigned to each operation is required.
More specifically the Environmental Specialist will be required to undertake the following tasks:
- Provide technical support for the screening of Bank projects for environmental, impacts, and vulnerabilities and identify risk management opportunities/strategies including in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and climate change adaptation and mitigation in Bank operations.
- Monitor compliance of all project-financed activities with World Bank safeguards policies for projects under implementing or with concepts approved before October 1, 2018;
- In accordance with the Bank’s ESF, contribute to the determination of the appropriate environmental risk classification of projects (including projects involving financial intermediaries) taking into account all relevant information such as the type, location, sensitivity and scale of the project, the nature and magnitude of the potential impacts, the capacity and commitment of the Borrower (and any other entities responsible for project implementation) to manage risks and impacts in a manner consistent with the ESSs.
- Monitor compliance of all project-financed activities with applicable ESSs including on OHS guidelines, sector specific guidelines, other relevant policies, and contract specific conditions; flag issues of non-compliance to borrower and Bank management and advise and support the borrower in developing and implementing remedies.
- Provide guidance to the borrower on open and transparent engagement (through consultations, information disclosure and grievance redress mechanism) with relevant project stakeholders throughout the project cycle.
- Participate as team member in World Bank operations, advising on environmental and safeguards/Standards approaches, the Bank’s policies and requirements, and technical issues, during preparation and supervision.
- Proactively work with the Bank teams and clients to improve the performance of the portfolio with regard to environmental safeguards /Standards and outcomes.
- Prepare the relevant documentation related to environmental risks and impacts of potential projects. Provide environmental input in project documents including Concept Review, Appraisal and Decision/Negotiations Packages.
- Maintain effective communication with counterparts (and development partner community and NGOs as and when required or needed), and other local agencies and organizations on World Bank activities in the environment sector.
- Contribute to other ENB programs and activities in Turkey and possibly other ECA countries, as needed and directed by the Unit Manager.
Selection Criteria
It is expected that the successful candidate will meet the following selection criteria:
- Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in environmental engineering, environmental economics, environmental science/management or other relevant discipline;
- A minimum of 5 years relevant operational experience and proven track record as an environmental assessment and management professional, including Operational Health and Safety (OHS) issues. This should include specific field-based project experience.
- Good analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse qualitative and quantitative environmentally – related data and information;
- Knowledge of the World Bank’s safeguards policies, ESF and/or IFC’s Performance Standards /MIGA Environmental and Social policies or similar standards would be an advantage. Familiarity of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change GHG accounting methodologies, or similar standards, is a plus.
- Ability to manage and follow up on multiple work-streams simultaneously;
- Ability to work well with a range of stakeholders, including project-affected parties, government officials, non-governmental organizations / civil society, as well as project investors and their staff.
- Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions.
- Demonstrated capacity to work in teams and share knowledge;
- Excellent oral and written communications skills in English and Turkish; and
- Ability and willingness to travel frequently within Turkey.
Bank competencies for Environmental and Social Standards Specialists.
Communication:
Able to write and/or present in a fluent, business-like manner with minimal supervision. Able to synthesize (both verbally and in writing) complex issues and clearly summarize key points and questions. Understands the need to tailor communication to the audience and can prepare effective supporting documents to facilitate his/her oral presentation on straightforward subject matter. Creates an environment where respect, tact, and consideration for all cultures are used in all communication.
Due Diligence:
Demonstrates understanding of the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework and applies the Framework to identify and address environmental and social issues and risks. Works under the supervision of Senior Environmental Specialists to undertake environmental and social due diligence and provides input to the project team on environmental and social issues/risks with minimal supervision. Proactively determines risk mitigation measures. Demonstrates effective time and resource management skills. Provides effective and timely guidance to clients on environmental and social issues/risks, and actively participates in discussions with clients on environmental and social matters.
Portfolio Monitoring:
Works independently requiring minimal supervision to proactively monitor the environmental and social performance of assigned projects. Anticipates potential issues and formulates corrective plans for identified environmental and social problems. Engages effectively with clients to achieve compliance and contributes to discussions on environmental and social matters.
Client Orientation:
Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge. Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the Borrower.
Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable for an additional one year, at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET Appointment of two years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their second-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.
