Local recruitment: Environmental Engineer (Environmental Risk Management)

 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

Unit and Country Context

The Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy Unit for Africa East and Southern Region (one of four Environment units in Africa) has about 40 staff.  Half of these staff work on environmental safeguards/environmental risk management.  The other 50 percent work primarily on lending and knowledge products in client countries.  About 50 percent are based in the country offices. The balance is based in headquarters in Washington DC and travel to the region frequently.  The skills of these staff include, economics, pollution management, forestry, fisheries management, landscapes management, watershed management, and natural areas protection.

THE POSITION:

Female Candidates are especially encouraged to apply. 

This position will be based in Lusaka, Zambia and will focus on implementation of the World Bank’s environmental risk management policies (including the Safeguard Policies and the new Environmental and Social Framework, or ESF).  All World Bank-supported investment projects must meet ambitious environmental management standards.

Note: This is an entry level position.  This is a nationally recruited position intended for nationals of Zambia. Remuneration is based on the national remuneration rates in the country for individuals working with international organizations in Zambia. 

Duties and Accountabilities

The Environmental Engineer - Risk Management will have the following key responsibilities as agreed with his/her Practice Manager based on an annual Result Agreement:

• Ensure the effective integration of environmental due diligence as defined by World Bank Group (WBG) Environmental and Social Management Framework, safeguards policies as well as international good practice documents (e.g. Equator Principles) into the design, appraisal, and implementation of WBG supported projects (environmental lending portfolio and analytical work).
• Provide experienced advice to client and counterpart organizations, project teams and WBG management with regard to the preparation of environmental impact assessments, including regional, strategic and cumulative assessments; environmental management frameworks and plans, including plan for monitoring, reporting and evaluation; public consultation plans; and specific plans related to natural habitats conservation, natural resource management, pest management, forest management, dam safety and international waterways management; such advice will be based on a detailed analysis of baseline conditions, project scope and impacts, requirements from national legal and institutional frameworks and, and compliance with the WBG’s operational policies.
• Provide experienced mentorship to clients in the preparation of project cycle documentation including terms of reference (ToR) for environmental safeguard instruments, such as environmental and social assessments (incl. strategic, regional, and cumulative); environmental and social management frameworks and plans, Pest Management Plans, and supervising their implementation. Contract specifications related to environmental safeguards and risks management, particularly for large dams and water projects. Provide technical training for the domestic EA practitioners on the WBG safeguard policies and requirements.
• Provide environmental input in project documents in accordance with the Bank operational policies including Project Concept Note (PCN), Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet (ISDS), Project Appraisal Document (PAD) and Decision/Negotiations Packages and assist with handling timely and accurate disclosure procedures and public consultation requirements for all required environmental assessment and management instruments.

Work closely with the Regional Safeguards Coordinators in the Africa region who are responsible for assigning safeguards tasks and ensuring the quality of the safeguards work and environmental risk management in the Region.

Selection Criteria

The following are required:

• Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in environmental engineering, civil engineering, environmental science, or related field, with a strong preference for candidates with good technical training in environmental risk management related to large scale civil engineering, pollution management, solid waste management, or soil, water and groundwater remediation and clean-up.
• A minimum of 3 years of full-time relevant professional experience in the engineering risk management or environmental management sector is required.
• ·    Fluency in English is required (writing, speaking, listening, and reading)
• ·    Knowledge of other Zambian languages would be beneficial. 
• Proven teamwork and successful experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• ·    A strong sense of teamwork and ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• ·    Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• ·    Willingness to travel extensively in Zambia and possibly to other countries is necessary, including to remote rural areas.

The following would be an advantage but not required:

• Knowledge and experience in environmental assessment and management of investment projects involving large scale civil works, extractive or industrial activities would be a strong advantage, especially the experience in the preparation of environmental safeguard/risk management documents.
• Experience in Zambia, understanding the institutional and political context and exposure to the national environmental policy challenges would be an advantage.
• Demonstrated project management / project operational skills, including occupational health and safety management would be an advantage.
• Experience working with contractors that have weak implementation capacity in the area of environmental risk management would be an advantage. 

Competencies (Level GF, Environmental Specialist/Engineer)

• Integrative skills: demonstrates ability to think and work across WBG, practices and sectors • Integrates divergent viewpoints of multiple external and internal stakeholders into a coherent project/program/ strategy • Considers corporate commitments (eg. Gender, Climate) in project approach
• Policy Dialogue skills: possesses political judgment, diplomatic acumen, and negotiating skills • Builds and sustains key stakeholder relationships with government and other key stakeholders • Guides clients and/or development partners in identifying key operational issues and optional solutions with a demonstrated ability to bring together different perspectives • Leads task teams, participates in formal negotiations, and assists government in establishing priorities
• Knowledge and Experience in Development arena: demonstrates sound knowledge of World Bank Group’s Twin Goals and the complementarities among different World Bank Group member institutions • Demonstrates deep understanding of policy making process and the role of own sector of expertise in that process • Fully understands Bank’s development initiatives and policies and practices related to l ending and non-lending operations • Guides research efforts and translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies and for discussions with clients and development partners • Anticipates client needs and requests and guides the development/ offering of relevant tools to clients.
• Communication and Influencing Skills: demonstrates the ability to influence and persuade others to accept ideas and suggestions (such as counterparts in government, international partner organizations, academia, and Bank colleagues, senior staff, and managers). Has ability to communicate and defend, orally and in writing, challenges and positions to colleagues and management
• Specialized Knowledge & Technical Skills:

• Environment & Natural Resources Management Technical Skills & Knowledge (Specialist / Engineer) Demonstrates solid understanding of environmental/NRM/climate change policies, technologies or strategies, and institutions needed to support development and for the success of project and analytic work.
• Demonstrates solid understanding of the roles of each WBG institution and its relationship to environment/NRM/climate change.
• Demonstrates strong knowledge of at least one relevant thematic business line, namely “blue”, “brown”, “green”, climate change, and environmental risk management. • Translates technical analyses into policies, operations and/or research as they relate to any of the following thematic business lines: “blue”, “brown”, “green”, climate change, and environmental risk management.
• Provides guidance and coaching to others on technical and operational matters.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

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