On October 1, 2018, the World Bank launched a new Environment and Social Framework (ESF) to help protect people and the environment in the investment projects that it finances. The effort, now about seven years under implementation, is one of several initiatives, including procurement reform, the gender strategy, and the climate change action plan, undertaken by the Bank to improve development outcomes.
The ESF brings the World Bank’s environmental and social (E&S) protections into closer harmony with those of other development institutions, and makes important advances in areas such as transparency, non-discrimination, social inclusion, public participation, and accountability – including expanded roles for grievance redress mechanisms. ESF helps to ensure social inclusion, non-discrimination, and explicitly references human rights in the overarching vision statement.
As the World Bank Group (WBG) advances with modernizing its ESF approach, a new organizational arrangement has been agreed involving “Makers” (responsible for preparation, implementation support, and monitoring and problem solving) and “Checkers” (responsible for monitoring and risk-based oversight and identifying and flagging challenges and problems that need to be addressed) to ensure a strengthened approach to risk management on E&S matters. The new arrangements also demonstrate a commitment to promoting “One WBG” and the key role that the Environmental and Social leadership in IDA/IBRD, IFC and MIGA, will play in this effort.
Environmental Specialist, SAWM1 Planet, Yaoundé, Cameroon
The West and Central Africa (SAWM1) is seeking to recruit an Environmental Specialist with a focus on implementing the Bank’s environmental risk management policies (including the Safeguard Policies and the new Environmental and Social Framework, or ESF). The Specialist will work in close collaboration with colleagues in the SAWM1 unit and other units of the Bank, the IFC, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders as needed. The Environmental Specialist will be based in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Specific responsibilities include.
• Ensure the effective integration of environmental due diligence as defined by the ESF, safeguards policies as well as good international practice documents (e.g. Equator Principles) into the design, appraisal and implementation of WBG supported projects (environmental lending portfolio and analytical work).
• Participate as a team member in various projects, including participating in identification missions, seeking and developing opportunities to integrate sound environmental management and policies into various investment project operations. Maintain regular dialogue with the client and enhance their capacity for understanding of and compliance with environmental policies; and contributing to mission outputs and reports.
• Provide experienced advice to client and counterpart organizations, project teams and WBG management on the preparation of environmental and social impact assessments; environmental management frameworks and plans, including plans for monitoring, reporting and evaluation; public consultation plans; and specific plans as required. Such advice will be based on a detailed analysis of baseline conditions, project scope and impacts, requirements from national legal and institutional frameworks, and compliance with WBG’s ESF and operational policies.
• Provide support and guidance to clients in the preparation of project cycle documentation including terms of reference (ToR) for ESF documentation covering different environmental risk management instruments, such as environmental and social assessments (incl. strategic, regional and cumulative); environmental and social management frameworks and plans, Pest Management Plan, bio-diversity management plans, etc. and supervising their implementation. Also provide guidance/support for effective integration of contract specifications related to environmental safeguards and risks management. Such an effort should include working with the Bank team to provide technical training for counterparts, domestic EA practitioners on the WBG ESF and safeguards policies and requirements.
• In close coordination with the Project teams (including Task Team Leaders, and Social Development Specialists), provide environmental input in project documents in accordance with the Bank’s ESF including Project Concept Note (PCN), Environmental and Social Review Summary (ESRS) at concept and appraisal , Project Appraisal Document (PAD) and Decision/Negotiations Packages and assist with handling timely and accurate disclosure procedures and public consultation requirements for all required environmental and social assessment and risk management instruments.
• Other assignments as and when required.