(Senior) Social Development Specialist

Ho Chi Minh City

  • Organization: World Bank Group
  • Location: Ho Chi Minh City
  • Grade:
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Social Affairs
  • Closing Date:

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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.

IFC is looking for a dynamic, motivated, and detail-oriented (Senior) Social Development Specialist to work projects in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region. This professional will be a member of the regional team providing guidance to clients and IFC’s investment and advisory teams on social risk assessment and management, in alignment with IFC Performance Standards and Sustainability Policy with the aim enhancing E&S outcomes of IFC-supported investments and advisory mandates. 

This position will report to the ESG Regional Manager for the EAP region.

Roles and Responsibilities

i) Early Screening, Due Diligence, Portfolio supervision
•  Lead or contribute to review of social issues and risks related to land acquisition, physical and economic displacement, adverse impacts on project affected communities, indigenous peoples, stakeholder engagement, community development programs, labor rights and non-discrimination in new investments and select advisory engagements in the infrastructure, manufacturing, services, and agribusiness sectors.
•  Prepare public disclosure documents for new investments as well as internal documentation.
•  Lead or contribute to identification and development of social risk mitigation measures and value-add solutions that support clients in addressing identified social risks and issues.
•  Provide clear and responsive guidance to IFC investment teams on E&S risk management in project decision-making and processing throughout the investment cycle, including clear communication to teams.
•  Support formulation of E&S legal conditions for IFC projects. 
•  When leading E&S assessments, ensure effective and efficient use of staff, consultants, and resources, ensuring the timely completion of deliverables. Provide guidance and support to team members.
•  Proactively monitor portfolio clients and engage with these 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 – particularly in areas of land acquisition and resettlement, indigenous peoples, stakeholder mapping and engagement, labor rights.   
•  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.
•  Support industry teams and clients in response to Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) requests 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 on relevant E&S matters.
•  Contribute to regional supervision program reviews and periodic reports.
•  Provide guidance and mentor more junior staff and Short-Term Consultants (STCs) working on E&S risk management.

ii) Upstream and Advisory Services
•   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. 

iii) Knowledge Management
•  As requested, 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.
•  As requested, 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).
We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.
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