Job #: req5317
Organization: IFC
Sector: Social Development
Grade: GG
Term Duration: 3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Dakar,Senegal
Required Language(s): English, French
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 12/30/2019 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities to create markets and opportunities where they are needed most. Visit www.ifc.org.

The Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Sustainability Advice and Solutions Department (CEG), includes approximately 200 staff and consultants. CEG supports IFC’s investment and advisory departments to manage ESG risks associated with their activities and find solutions to client issues on basis of our Environmental and Social (E&S) Performance Standards (www.ifc.org/performancestandards) and the Corporate Governance Methodology (www.ifc.org/corporategovernance). CEG further leverages this expertise and operational experience in emerging markets to encourage the effective adoption of these standards by companies and investors across emerging markets. More details can be found at www.ifc.org/sustainability.

The Senior Social Development specialist will provide guidance to clients, investment and advisory teams on social risk management vis-à-vis IFC Performance Standards with the aim of promoting compliance with IFC’s social standards and enhanced impact and additionality of IFC-supported investments and advisory mandates. This position will report to the Regional Manager, with Regional Team Lead Direct Investments as primary Supervisor.

Duties and Accountabilities

Early Screening, Due Diligence, PortfolioAssess complex social issues/risks in new investments and select advisory engagements, including stakeholder engagement, labor and working conditions, gender concerns, involuntary resettlement, Indigenous Peoples issues, including Free, Prior & Informed Consultation (FPIC), and cultural heritage.

Tailor risk mitigation measures and value-add solutions that support client in addressing identified issues;Responsively and flexibly support IFC investment teams in project decision-making and processing in light of social risk issues, including clear communication to teams and management throughout the investment cycle, determination of social legal conditions for the project legal agreement; public disclosure, etc.Proactively monitor portfolio clients that require significant support in social performance and engage with clients to achieve compliance;Contribute to portfolio reviews on selected social risk and social development issues.

Support portfolio teams and clients in response to CAO and IEG requests, leading discussion with CAO and IEG officers.Build capacity with clients on issues related to social issues, including clients’ monitoring and evaluation of social development activities and outcomes.Develop and build relations within IFC and with clients and contribute to generating new business for the Corporation.

Upstream and Advisory Services

Identify systemic bottlenecks existing in the market that prevent adequate social risk management in key sectors or markets. Contribute substantively to upstream activities by using technical experience and expertiseParticipate in strategic decision making regarding IFC role in advisory support to enhance social risk management performance. Where relevant support the development of appropriate solutions.Work proactively to identify opportunities for advisory engagements that result in greater development impact and value for the client; Provide expert input into new IFC advisory offering.

Stakeholder Management

Manage complex technical, institutional and program implementation issues regarding social development and lead the pertinent dialogue with counterparts, including in relation to NGO concerns on social matters in certain projects or sectors.

Knowledge Management

Lead and participate in cross-regional and global teams responsible for the preparation of policy interpretation notes on social topics and contribute to the Corporate knowledge base by analyzing and disseminating lessons learned from project work.Identify and participate in forums or conferences to showcase IFC experience, approach and value proposition, which includes serving as a panelist or moderator for internal and external events related to thematic area.Prepare management briefs of relevant regional social issues.Lead and contribute to ongoing and emerging corporate initiatives related to social requirements, through participation in the Social Practice Group (IFC’s internal peer network of Social Development Specialists).
Supervision and Support

Provide guidance to more junior staff and Short-Term Consultants (STCs) working on social risk management and supervise the timeliness and quality of their work, in coordination with Regional Team Leads.

Selection Criteria

Graduate/advanced degree in social sciences, anthropology, sociology or other related relevant discipline; Minimum of 8 years of professional experience working on social due diligence in the international context, with strong preference for experience in the private sector working across different industry sectors;Experience working with IFI and/or World Bank Group E&S Policies and Standards ;Working experience in emerging markets, ideally in fragile and conflict environments;Willingness to travel regularly in emerging market countries;Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Additional language skills relevant to the region(s) of interest are advantageous. Ability to communicate on complex social issues in a manner that can be understood by non-experts.

Pragmatic, solution-oriented, problem solver with a high degree of responsiveness and proactivity.Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills including the ability to relate well with a wide range of internal and external parties (including senior staff, management, IFC’s accountability mechanism and clients) and seek solution potentially tense or conflictual situations.Ability to influence and negotiate within teams and with clients;High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner. Diplomatic approach and calm under pressure.Exemplary project management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.

Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse information sources, and draw conclusions from sometimes limited data;Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team, influence and negotiate point of view within teams, superior mentoring skills;