Environmental & Social (E&S) Specialist

Environmental & Social (E&S) Specialist Job #: req34368 Organization: IFC Sector: Environment Grade: GF Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Nairobi,Kenya Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Kiswahili and/or French Closing Date: 10/3/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works 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.

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. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

In addition to its investment support activities, IFC provides Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Advisory Services (AS) both to its clients and at the market level. IFC’s ESG Advisory Services help individual IFC clients enhance their ESG practices and become investment-ready, as well as implement complementary market-level programs engaging with regulators, industry associations, and other stakeholders to develop sector-wide ESG standards and guidelines, strengthen institutional capacity, and raise awareness. 

IFC is seeking a dynamic and motivated Environmental & Social (E&S) Specialist with effective communication, interpersonal, project management, and analytical skills to support its ESG Advisory Services in the Africa region. The specialist will provide E&S guidance to IFC’s ESG AS on matters related to the IFC Performance Standards (PS) and Sustainability Policy, with the goal of promoting high-impact market and client-level projects that help IFC clients attract financing.

Although based in Nairobi, Kenya and primarily mapped to East Africa the position will support projects throughout the Africa region.

Duties and Accountabilities• Manage the preparation and delivery of a select number of ESG Advisory Services and Upstream projects (including ESG operations-led projects, or ESG components of engagements led by other units in the region) and provide E&S cross-support to other Project Leaders (PLs) and projects.• Contribute to the design and implementation of E&S-related aspects of IFC’s ESG Advisory Services and Upstream projects in Africa focused on clients and markets.• Support the preparation of new ESG Advisory Services and Upstream projects, including identification of project countries and key areas of support, undertaking baseline assessments, designing project components and activities, developing project budgets and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) frameworks, and drafting high-quality project documents including concept notes and implementation plans.• Lead on technical implementation of project activities (e.g., engagement with project partners, preparation of technical input and feedback on ESG guidelines and regulations, development of course materials and delivery of workshops/trainings, diagnostics of client ESG practices, preparation of proposals, and delivery of Advisory Services support) and oversee all tasks supported by consultants, ensuring the highest levels of product quality and client service.• Engage and follow up with local partners, including leading discussions on activities to be supported, preparation of project implementation plans, development of cooperation agreements, and execution of all project activities.• Draft and process all program-related documents including workplans, terms of reference, Integrity Due Diligence, project budget updates, and extension memos in line with IFC’s AS governance procedures.• Identify and anticipate financial project needs, develop detailed project budgets, manage and report on financial performance according to plans, and undertake procurement for all project-related activities.• Monitor development results, collect and enter all relevant evidence to substantiate project results in the Advisory Services Operations Portal (ASOP), and ensure legal agreements are filed.• Prepare Project Status Reports and ensure supervision reports for all projects managed, including ASOP and M&E Framework updates, are submitted on time in accordance with IFC’s AS operational guidelines.• Collaborate with the donor team to manage current project donor relationships, including preparing donor reports, attending meetings, and managing donor relationships in local country offices.• Manage internal and external reporting, communication, and ESG AS program promotion across key stakeholders.• Consolidate and analyze lessons learned from project implementation experiences and share with team members and colleagues across the region and globally.

Upstream and Advisory Services• Based on new business processing and portfolio analysis, help identify systemic bottlenecks existing in the market that prevent adequate E&S risk management in key markets. In collaboration with upstream officers and advisory teams, develop upstream activities.• Identify opportunities for advisory engagements that result in greater development impact and value for the client; provide expert input into new IFC advisory offering.• Participate in strategic decision making (as needed) regarding IFC role in advisory support to enhance E&S risk management. 

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Master’s) in environmental science, engineering, sociology, or other relevant disciplines.• Minimum of seven years of professional experience working on E&S management, monitoring, and/or due diligence, preferably with private sector experience in the Africa region.• Experience working with IFC/World Bank E&S Policies and Standards.• Willingness to travel regularly across the Africa region.• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically, analyze and summarize diverse sources, and draw conclusions from limited data.• Demonstrated track record of designing and delivering training on E&S topics.• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely on complex E&S issues in both spoken and written form.• Excellent project management skills, including work planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation. Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, adapt to frequent changes, and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.• Self-starter with a high degree of responsiveness, proactivity, and excellent collaboration skills.• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, influence stakeholders, and network across boundaries.• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with the ability to manage sensitive matters discreetly, respond diplomatically, and remain calm under pressure.• Preferred: Proficiency in Kiswahili and/or French in addition to English.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.