The World Bank is looking for a Senior Environmental Specialist to join the team in Nairobi, Kenya.
The World Bank’s Eastern and Southern Africa Region (AFE), comprised of approximately 1,200 staff, mostly based in 26 country offices, has been helping countries realise their considerable development potential by focusing on, amongst others, creating jobs and transforming economies, building up the digital economy AND making institutions more efficient and accountable.
The Eastern Safeguards Unit (SAEM2) is one of the three units in AFE that manages E&S risks and covers two Country Management Units (CMUs): the Kenya CMU, comprising Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Somalia; and the Tanzania CMU, comprising Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
This position will focus on implementing the World Bank’s environmental and social risk management policies (including the Safeguard Policies and the Environmental and Social Framework, or ESF) and building national systems and capacity in this regard.
Responsibilities
- Ensure the effective integration into the design, appraisal and implementation of WBG-supported projects of environment, health and safety due diligence as defined by the World Bank Group (WBG) Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESF), World Bank Operational Policies on safeguards (for older projects that predate the ESF), WBG EHS guidelines, IF Performance Standards and other international good practice documents (eg Equator Principles).
- Provide guidance to clients and counterpart organisations in their preparation of project documents in accordance with the ESF and World Bank operational policies, including Environment and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs), Labour Management Procedures (LMPs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs), and Project Implementation Manuals (PIMs). Assist with handling timely and accurate disclosure procedures and public consultation requirements for all required environmental assessment and management instruments.
- Provide advice and mentorship to client and counterpart organisations for the preparation and implementation of environmental impact assessments, including strategic and cumulative impact assessments; environmental management frameworks and plans.
- Organise and provide needs assessments, capacity building and technical training on environmental, health and safety risk management for national agencies and local governments, as well as public and private sector trainers and practitioners, with a particular focus on building national training capacity in these areas.
- Work closely with the AFE Regional Standards Coordinators and CMU ESF Coordinator responsible for assigning safeguards tasks and ensuring the quality of the safeguards work and environmental and social risk management in the region.
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Selection Criteria
The following are required:
- Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in environmental/natural sciences or environmental/civil engineering.
- A minimum of 8 years of full-time relevant professional experience in environmental management, with experience in the management of the environmental, social, health and safety risks of large infrastructure projects, extractive or industrial activities, and the application of WBG ESF and safeguard policies, including in the preparation of WBG environmental safeguard/risk management documents.
- Technical experience in the management of the environmental, social, health and safety risks of large infrastructure, eg roads and highways, dams, irrigation schemes and large water conveyance systems, would be highly beneficial.
- Demonstrated project management/operational skills, including occupational health and safety management and experience working with contractors with weak implementation capacity.
- Ability to work well with a range of stakeholders, including project-affected parties, government officials and non-governmental organisations/civil society, as well as project investors and their staff. Experience building capacity for environmental, health and safety risk management would be beneficial.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills. The candidate should possess a diplomatic approach and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Experience working in developing countries, understanding the institutional and political context and exposure to the national environmental policy challenges. Experience working in FCV countries would be beneficial.
- Fluency in English (writing, speaking, listening and reading) is required.
- Good analytical skills and ability to think strategically and analyse and synthesise diverse qualitative and quantitative environmentally related data and information.
- Willingness to travel extensively in Malawi, including to remote rural areas.
View the full Senior Environmental Specialist job specifications.
Job details were correct as supplied at time of publication. ESI Africa cannot be held responsible for changes in job advert specification by advertising parties. Always refer to original post for up to date details.
