Senior Social Development Specialist, LAC Region

Senior Social Development Specialist, LAC Region Job #: req33293 Organization: IFC Sector: Social Development Grade: GG Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Bogota,Colombia Required Language(s): English, Spanish Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 5/30/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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. Operating in over 100 countries, IFC leverages its capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities, aiming to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.

IFC is seeking a dynamic, motivated and detail oriented Social Specialist with strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills to support its business in the Central America, Caribbean, Colombia and Mexico (CCM) region. This professional will provide social guidance to clients and IFC’s investment and advisory teams on social matters vis-à-vis IFC Performance Standards (PS) and Sustainability Policy, with the aim of promoting compliance and enhancing the impact and additionality of IFC-supported business activities.

The position will report to the ESG Regional Manager for the CCM region. 

Duties and Accountabilities

•   Lead and contribute to the review of social issues and risks in new investments, portfolio, and advisory engagements including PPP. 
•   Lead or contribute to identification and development of social risk mitigation. measures and value-add solutions that support clients in addressing identified issues.
•   Provide clear guidance to IFC investment teams on social risk management in project decision-making and processing throughout the investment cycle. 
•   Produce high-quality work products that clearly and logically frame risk mitigation, particularly relating to involuntary resettlement and livelihoods, labor issues (forced labor and child labor), stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanisms. 
•   Articulating social risks/red flags as well as mitigation measures needed to investment staff, IFC management and to IFC’s Board.
•   Prepare concise public disclosure documents for new investment and support formulation of E&S legal conditions for IFC projects. 
•   When leading E&S risk assessments, ensure effective and efficient use of staff, consultants, and resources as well as the timely completion of deliverables.
•   Coordinating thematic specialists/consultants to support the social due-diligence process, including development of ToRs, review of work outputs and project management.
•   Coordinating with other lenders’ E&S teams and external stakeholders as needed.
•   Proactively monitor portfolio clients and engage with clients and investment departments to achieve compliance with contractual E&S requirements, clearly documenting and communicating any outstanding or emerging gaps between client performance and IFC requirements, and related risks and opportunities.
•   Contribute to portfolio analysis to identify systemic issues and assess trends; or of policy nature and propose policy adjustments as needed.
•   Contribute to regional supervision program reviews and periodic reports.
•   Assist/guide in handling project related complaints from stakeholders and addressing complex technical, institutional or implementation issues related to social development.
•   Support industry teams and clients in response to Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) requests where needed, including discussion with CAO and IEG officers as needed.
•   As needed, participate in cross-regional and global teams responsible for the preparation of policy interpretation notes on E&S topics and contribute to the corporate knowledge base by analyzing and disseminating lessons learned from project work.
•   Prepare management briefs of relevant E&S matters.
•   In coordination with the Regional Manager and the Social Lead, provide guidance to Short-Term Consultants (STCs) working on social risk management and supervise the timeliness and quality of their work.
•   Provide capacity building to clients and their consultants on conducting E&S Impact Assessment studies, developing Stakeholder Engagement Plans, Resettlement Action Plans, and other E&S studies, as the case may be. 
•   Contribute to the design and delivery of learning programs on sustainability and environmental risk management for IFC clients and investment staff – as needed.
•   Lead or contribute to design and delivery of social advice to support individual clients or wider market adoption of good international industry practice social standards and practices.
•   Help mentor and guide project E&S teams, consultants and junior staff and provide quality enhancement support.

Selection Criteria

•   Master’s degree in relevant discipline (e.g. Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, Political Science or other related social sciences and disciplines).
•   Minimum of twelve years of professional experience working on E&S management, monitoring and/or due diligence, with a preference for private sector experience in LAC, with a focus on social issues such as grievance management, community/stakeholder engagement, resettlement and livelihood restoration, labor standards and conditions and engagement with Indigenous Peoples. 
•   Experience working with IFC Sustainability Framework and supporting documents such as Guidance Notes, EHS Guidelines (www.ifc.org/ehsguidelines) and experience working with IFC/World Bank E&S Policies and Standards.
•   Experience in engaging directly with community members, CSO and NGOs.
•   Experience in areas of gender-based violence (GBV) and social inclusion is desirable.
•   Driven self-starter with a high degree of responsiveness and proactivity.
•   Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize, deal with frequent unexpected changes, and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
•   Ability to travel regularly to and work effectively in IFC client countries is essential.
•   Exemplary project management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
•   Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and summarize diverse sources, draw conclusions from limited data and develop solutions in potentially tense or conflicting situations.
•   High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with the ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner, respond diplomatically and remain calm under pressure.
•   Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.
•   Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, work effectively in and influence a team, and network effectively across boundaries.
•   Excellent communication skills in English and Spanish including the ability to communicate persuasively with a wide range of internal and external parties (including senior staff, management, IFC’s accountability mechanism and clients) and present E&S risks and management solutions in a manner that non-experts can understand.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful 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.