Local recruitment: Environmental Specialist/ Engineer

The World Bank

Beirut, Lebanon 🇱🇧

Job #:req21176
Organization:World Bank
Sector:Environment
Grade:GF
Term Duration: 3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:Local Recruitment
Location:Beirut,Lebanon
Required Language(s):English, Arabic
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:2/28/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

 Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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.

Global Practice Context

Sustainable environment, natural resources management and the blue economy is at the heart of the WBG’s poverty reduction and shared prosperity agenda. It promotes a green, clean, and resilient world where natural resources – from forests to fisheries, freshwater, oceans, coastal zones and ecosystems – are managed to support livelihoods and strong economies. It builds a world better prepared for shocks and global challenges, helping countries limit their exposure to resource scarcity and negative health impacts, more-volatile weather patterns, and the long-term consequences of climate change.

The Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy (ENB) 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 some 275 staff across the world plus numerous other staff in other Practices and CCSAs that are professionally associated with it.

The ENB Global Practice has five key business lines consisting of Lending and non-lending services in (1) Forests, Watersheds and Sustainable Landscapes (‘Green Business line’); (2) Marine, Coastal, Aquatic Resources and Ocean Health (‘Blue Economy Business line’); (3) Pollution Management and Environmental Health (‘Pollution Management Business line’); (4) Environmental Economics, Policies and Institutions Business line, and (5) Safeguards/Environmental Risk Management Business line: delivery of effective environmental risk management and sustainability by managing risk at the project level and creating opportunities to advance sustainable development. This includes provision of high-quality and timely safeguards services across the World Bank, including current safeguards policies and the effective implementation of the new Environment and Social Framework (ESF) that was rolled out on October 1, 2018.

Unit Context

The Middle East and North Africa Region (MNA) ENB Unit (SMNEN) comprises of about 32 staff, based in the various country offices in the Region as well as in Washington, DC. All report to a Practice Manager (PM) based in DC. The unit manages a full spectrum of environment, climate change, green growth and natural resource, pollution management lending and non-lending tasks, as well as the environment safeguards function throughout the Region.

SMNEN is seeking to recruit an Environmental Specialist/ Engineer based in Beirut, Lebanon to provide environmental safeguards support and to help with the application of the new ESF and PforR operations. The Environmental Specialist/ Engineer will report to the ENB Practice Manager (PM) for the Middle East and North Africa. The Environmental Specialist is expected to travel extensively through the Middle East and North Africa Region.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Environmental Specialist/ Engineer will be required to undertake the following tasks:

  • Provide technical support for the screening of World Bank projects for environmental (especially for projects with low or moderate risk ratings) impacts, and vulnerabilities and identify risk management opportunities/strategies including in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and climate change adaptation and mitigation in World Bank operations.
  • Under the supervision of Senior Accredited Environmental Specialists and/or the Regional Safeguards Coordinator, monitor compliance of all project-financed activities supported by the World Bank’s Safeguards policies.
  • Under the supervision of Senior Accredited Environmental Specialists and/or the Regional Safeguards Coordinator, prepare and monitor compliance of all PforR operations.
  • Under the supervision of Senior Accredited Environmental Specialists and the Regional Safeguards Coordinator, monitor compliance of all project-financed activities, including those relating to associated facilities with the ESSs and the World Bank’s Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines, as well as GIIP (good international industry practice).
  • Under the supervision of Senior Accredited Environmental Specialists and the Regional Safeguards Coordinator, use the Environment and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) as a key tool to work with borrowers / recipients to effectively assess environmental and social risks, evaluate all relevant information, and recommend solutions to comply with the World Bank’s ESF.
  • For projects being supported by the World Bank’s ESF, using the ESCP as benchmarking tool, monitor compliance with the ESSs including on OHS guidelines, sector specific guidelines, other relevant policies, and contract specific conditions; flag issues of non-compliance to borrower and World Bank management and advise and support the borrower in developing and implementing remedies.
  • Contribute to analyzing and disseminating lessons learned and best practices from specific World Bank projects for research, knowledge and learning purposes.
  • 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.
  • Contribute to developing methodologies and training materials for task teams and borrowers / recipients on the calculation of gross Greenhouse Gas (GHG emissions) (as required by ESS3); participate in knowledge sharing, capacity building and training activities to improve systematic GHG accounting in WBG financed projects.
  • Contribute to the further development of ESS related guidance and technical support materials, such as guidelines, knowledge materials as applicable.
  • Collaborate with World Bank GPs and IFC/MIGA colleagues on joint projects as well as other colleagues from multilateral development institutions when supporting same projects, understanding and implementing a common approach.
  • Participate in the GP’s wider ENB dialogue and joint business development.

Selection Criteria

  • Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in environmental and civil engineering, environmental science, or natural resources management.
  • 5+ years of proven, relevant experience (work or applied scientific research) as environmental assessment and management professional.
  • Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse qualitative and quantitative environmentally related data and information.
  • Ability to follow up multiple work-streams simultaneously.
  • Proven experience in working with World Bank’s safeguards policies, ESF and/or IFC’s Performance Standards /MIGA Environmental and Social policies or similar standards is required.
  • International experience is an advantage; experience in developing countries / emerging economies is a strong advantage. Ability and willingness to travel frequently, including to developing countries and possibly remote, fragile and conflict affected areas, is required.
  • 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.
  • Sound knowledge of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change GHG accounting methodologies, or similar standards, is an advantage.
  • Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions.
  • Excellent verbal and written English and Arabic language skills are essential.
  • Good team player who can work as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, motivate and lead group efforts and network effectively across boundaries.

World 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.
  • Developing People: Contributes to training exercises.
  • 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.

In addition to the above, the successful candidate must demonstrate the following competencies:

  • Lead and Innovate – Develops innovative solutions.
  • Deliver Results for Clients – Proactively addresses clients’ stated and unstated needs.
  • Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries – Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective and willingly receives diverse perspectives.
  • Create, Apply and Share Knowledge – Applies knowledge across GPs and WBG to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients.
  • Make Smart Decisions – Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward.

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.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

LANGUAGE REQUIRED

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