The World Bank Group recruits an E T Consultant – Yaounde, Cameroon
Description :
Established in 1944, the WBG is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. In fiscal year 2018, the WBG committed $67 billion in loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees to its members and private businesses, of which $24 billion was concessional finance to its poorest members. It is governed by 188-member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with nearly 15,000 staff located globally.
The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank is organized into six client-facing Regional Vice-Presidencies, several corporate functions and thirteen Global Practices to bring best-in-class knowledge and solutions to regional and country clients.
The World Bank Environment and Natural Resources Global Practice in the Southern & Central Africa Region (GENA3) has been set up to deliver on the opportunities, benefits and outcomes offered by enhanced management of the environment and natural resources. GENA3 has five key business lines consisting of:
- Lending and non-lending services in Forests, Watersheds and Sustainable Landscapes (‘Green Business line’);
- Marine, Coastal, Aquatic Resources and Ocean Health (‘Blue Economy Business line’);
- Pollution Management and Environmental Health (‘Pollution Management Business line’) ;
- 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 Bank, including current safeguards policies and the effective implementation of the new Environment and Social Framework (ESF) that was roll out on October 1, 2018.
Considering that most of the projects developed in the different sectors covered carry significant environmental and social impacts, the GENA 3 unit contribute specialized staff for ensuring that environmental safeguards are addressed in an efficient and credible manner. With the increase in project activities and new projects in the Cameroon Country Management Unit (CMU), coupled with the new ESF, it becomes necessary to increase the staff strength working on environmental safeguards and Environmental and Social Standards (ESS).
The Extended Term Consultant (Environment Specialist) will be based in Yaoundé, Cameroon and will be supporting a broad portfolio of safeguards activities, focusing on category A and B projects; and High, Substantial and Moderate risks projects under the ESF. He/she will work on 100% on safeguards and ESF.
The Extended Term Consultant (ETC) position is for one year with possibility to renew for one more year. The recruitment is processed locally. Field visits are expected as well as some limited international travels.
The successful candidate will work under the overall supervision of the Practice Manager for GENA3 based in the WB ‘s Washington Office and the Country Director for Cameroon based in Yaoundé. He/she will be co-supervised by the Regional Safeguards Coordinator and the Country Management Unit (CMU) environmental safeguards focal point. The selected candidate will deliver the below tasks and will work in close collaboration with the other environment specialists and Social Development staff working on the Cameroon CMU.
Duties and accountabilities :
The candidate is expected to perform the following tasks :
- Assist the different Bank missions in meeting the Bank’s requirements of the environmental safeguard policies and ESF with its accompanying standards. This includes but is not limited to participating in the Bank missions to provide technical advice and support as well as draft the environment sections of the Aide Mémoire, and reports of the relevant Bank’s operations under preparation and supervision ;
- Follow up with the relevant ministries, project implementing agencies, and their consultants, as the case may be, reviewing the environmental assessments (EAs) instruments, and providing technical advice so that the EA instruments are in conformity with the relevant Bank’s environmental and social safeguards Operational Policies; and the ESF guidelines ;
- Follow up with the local environmental authorities so that EA instruments get approved in-country, and in conformity with the relevant environmental laws of the country ;
- Visit the Bank-financed projects, and ensuring that the environmental and social management plans (ESMPs) are being implemented ;
- Review, at the request of the Task Team Leader (TTLs), the project concept note, project appraisal documents, and environmental reports to ensure compliance of these projects and reports with the relevant World Bank environmental safeguard Operational Policies ;
- It is expected that the consultant will work on: (i) projects under preparation, tasks may include contribution to the ISDS, ESRS, ESCP, PID, EAs and PAD; and (ii) projects under implementation, this will include: field visits, facilitating training workshops, contribution to the mission main report/Aide Memoire, ISR and a possible preparation of a separate Safeguards Annex to the Aide Memoire ;
- Review environmental progress/quarterly reports for World Bank projects under implementation; and providing reports accordingly to the TTLs and CMU’s environmental safeguards focal point ;
- Participate in providing training, as needed, to project counterparts on the EA process, and assuring the implementation of the ESMPs and ESCPs at the request of the of the TTL and Bank environmental specialist assigned to the project (s) ;
- Coordinate with social safeguard specialists responsible for the social aspects of the projects on preparation, supervision and reporting of the project EAs and ESMPs, and ESCPs .
Selection Criteria :
- Master’s Degree in Environment, Natural Resources Management or equivalent ;
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in applying environmental risk management/licensing procedures to projects including road, energy, mining, water, solid waste, etc ;
- Experience with World Bank safeguards/ESF or IFC performance standards preferred ;
- Documented evidence and experience with similar assignments ;
- Excellent communication / interpersonal skills and ability to work in teams ;
- Ability to handle tasks independently ;
- Conversant with the National Environmental Policy, Environmental Management Act and ESIA procedures ;
- Willingness to travel extensively, including in rural areas ;
- Familiarity with social safeguards issues will be a strong asset ;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French .
In addition, the following skills will be particularly considered during the selection process :
- Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams on diverse and complex tasks ;
- Field experience ;
- Understanding of the Bank’s policies and financial instruments ;
- Strong client orientation with the ability to build an understanding with implementing agency counterparts on the value-added of Bank safeguards and ESF ;
- A drive for results while working with limited supervision and under tight timelines ;
- A penchant for solving problems rather than merely identifying them ;
- An ability to think innovatively and negotiate effectively .
Technical Competencies :
- Environmental implications on Policy, Institutions, and Operations -Solid understanding of the implications of environment on policy, institutions, and operations ;
- Analytical Tools for Environmental and Social Sustainability – Extensive experience conducting environmental analysis, deriving results that resonate with the client; ability to coach others in the application of the tools ;
- Participation and Consultation – Extensive experience conducting environmental and social development consultative and participatory approaches, deriving results that resonate with the client; ability to coach others in the application of the interventions ;
- Environmental Safeguards – Experience successfully applying the social safeguard policies ;
- ESF – Knowledge of 10 Standards and the mechanics of ESCP and ESRC ;
- Integrative Skills – Understands relevant cross-practice areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-practice work in lending and non-lending operations ;
- Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena – Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies ; interacts with clients at the policy level ;
- Policy Dialogue Skills – Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners .
WBG 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 WBG to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients ;
- Make Smart Decisions – Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward.
Note : The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable for an additional one year, at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET Appointment of two years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their second-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.
The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.