Lead Environment and Social Specialist (LESS), for Hydro Power

Task Description:

IFC is increasing its support in the hydropower sector in the Africa region, providing equity and debt finance to companies developing and operating hydropower projects, and in addition is piloting a new advisory services (AS) product in the region helping clients, governments and other stakeholders jointly identify, assess and manage cumulative environmental and social (E&S) risks and impacts of multiple investments that depend on the presence of the same natural resource in a defined geographic area, e.g. a watershed, and that cannot be addressed by projects/clients individually (landscape approach). Hydropower presents specific issues and challenges in meeting IFC E&S Performance Standards, and there is a growing range of international hydropower-specific guidelines on meeting E&S standards, encompassing IFC and World Bank (WB) guidelines and Good Practice Notes, IFC Sustainable Hydropower Advisory program, and IHA/HSAP (International Hydropower Association / Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol) guidelines.

B. Objective/Purpose of the Assignment and Scope of Work 

IFC is seeking a Lead Environment and Social Specialist (LESS), Infrastructure, who will be accountable for all key E&S project deliverables to help drive the Upstream work for the sector in the region and to support investment staff, focusing specifically on the hydropower sector, and primarily in Africa:

• The LESS will be accountable for all key E&S project deliverables and should have the minimum (core) level of competency expected for any LESS. 
• The LESS will be responsible for the overall coordination of the work and be able to lead small teams of CEG specialists and consultants and delegate and identify priority actions while coordinating with internal IFC teams, clients and other stakeholders.
• Support the development of new hydropower projects in Africa, and worldwide, and lead their E&S appraisal to identify strengths and weaknesses to support IFC’s decision-making process.  Such appraisals include site visits, supervision of consultants, review of key documents (ESIA, ESMP, RAP, BAP, gap assessments, eFlows assessment) and presentation of key budget assumptions for incorporation in financial models undertaken by investment staff.
• Work with the World Bank to insure alignment between IFC PS and WB Safeguards on World Bank Group (WBG) projects.
• Support portfolio management: review E&S aspects of IFC’s portfolio of hydropower investments, including field inspection as necessary, assist in resolving operational weaknesses, and provide advice for project enhancements to both internal and external clients.
• Maintain and build E&S hydropower knowledge and support best practice knowledge-sharing.
• Connect global and regional teams, ensure solutions and knowledge flow across IFC and the wider WBG, and promote adoption of new approaches and best practices.
• Liaise with client’s E&S staff, project specialist and lenders’ specialists.
• Hire and supervise specialized E&S consultants as necessary.