Environmental and Social Development Specialist

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.

IFC is seeking a dynamic, motivated Environmental and social (E&S) Specialist with strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills to support its Financial Intermediary (FI)- related business in the Middle East, Central Asia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan region. This professional will provide E&S guidance to clients and investment and advisory teams on E&S matters vis-à-vis IFC Performance Standards (PS) and Sustainability Policy, aiming to promote compliance and enhance the impact and additionality of IFC-supported business activities. The position will report to the ESG Regional Manager for the MCT region.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Lead or contribute to reviewing E&S issues and risks in new investments and select advisory engagements in the Financial Intermediary sector (including Banks, Funds, NBFIs, and Micro Finance Institutions).
• Financial Intermediaries work on IFC investments throughout the project cycle, covering early review, appraisal, public disclosure, board review and approval, commitment and disbursement, and project supervision. They also deliver fully drafted project-related internal and external reports.
• Lead or contribute to identifying and developing E&S risk mitigation measures and value-add solutions that support clients in addressing identified issues.
• Perform analyses on developing and implementing clients’ Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS).
• Support formulation of E&S legal conditions for IFC projects.
• Monitor portfolio clients and engage with them and investment departments to achieve E&S compliance with IFC’s contractual E&S requirements. Clearly document and communicate any outstanding or emerging gaps between client performance and IFC requirements and related risks and opportunities.
• Support industry teams and clients in response to Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) requests where needed.
• Support analyzing and reporting internally on portfolio data and missing information and support follow-up on pending issues.
• Support client E&S capacity-building.
  

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Masters) in science, engineering, social sciences, finance, or other relevant disciplines.
• Minimum of seven years of professional experience working on E&S management, monitoring, and/or due diligence, with a preference for financial sector experience in the Middle East, Central Asia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan region.
• Experience working with IFC/World Bank E&S Policies and Standards, specifically IFC Performance Standards.
• Willingness to travel regularly within the Middle East, Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and summarize diverse sources, and draw conclusions from limited data.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely on complex E&S issues in spoken and written form.
• Proficiency in English is essential, with Arabic or Turkish language skills an advantage.
• Ability to work effectively as a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team member, influence and negotiate points of view within teams.
• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with the ability to handle sensitive matters discreetly and respectfully, respond diplomatically, and remain calm under pressure.