Job Description

E T Consultant

Job #: req38250 Organization: IFC Sector: Other Grade: EC3 Term Duration: 1 year 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 9/4/2026 (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.

The Office of the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) is the independent accountability mechanism for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), members of the World Bank Group. CAO’s mandate is to address complaints from people affected by IFC and MIGA projects in a fair, objective, and constructive manner, and to enhance the environmental and social accountability of IFC and MIGA.

Through its dispute resolution, compliance, and advisory functions, CAO promotes positive outcomes for communities, stronger institutional performance, and greater environmental and social accountability.

CAO’s advisory function provides advice to IFC/MIGA and the Boards with the purpose of improving IFC/MIGA systemic performance on environmental and social sustainability and reducing the risk of harm to people and the environment. CAO’s advisory work provides insights and recommendations on broader environmental and social issues relevant to IFC’s and MIGA’s work by drawing on CAO experience, addressing complaints and good international practice.

OBJECTIVE

IFC is updating its Environmental and Social (E&S) Sustainability Framework (SF) with the aim of strengthening its approach and better aligning the institution and its lending with the challenges of today’s dynamic and complex global environment. Based on its experience of twenty-five years as the accountability mechanism for IFC, CAO has unique insights into the SF’s strengths and weaknesses, which it lays out in a series of advisory notes with the aim of contributing to IFC’s Update of the Sustainability Framework.

SCOPE OF WORK/DELIVERABLES

The Senior Environmental and Social Advisory Specialist will work with Advisory’s head, and the assigned lead from Advisory for the SF update series by fulfilling the following functions and key deliverables:

• Production Cycle: Lead and be responsible for the entire production cycle of the assigned Advisory notes, including providing clear guidance to analysts for a thorough data research, robust data analysis, engagement with IFC and MIGA as needed, presentation of findings, deliberation of recommendations, editing and designing of the notes, and finally Bos and public submissions.
• Research & Analysis Apply rigorous qualitative and quantitative methods to gather, critically analyze, and synthesize data from diverse sources, translating findings into actionable insights that inform IFC/MIGA policy and practice.
• Knowledge and Learning: Prepare and make presentations, convene meetings, organize workshops, facilitate learning events, as needed, among other tasks as needed, based on a work plan that will be agreed up front.
• Influence & Impact: Build trust-based relationships with key stakeholders and leverage subject matter expertise, strategic engagement, and evidence-based advice to drive measurable improvements in IFC/MIGA's environmental and social performance.
• Effective Written & Oral Communication: Communicate complex technical and institutional information clearly, concisely, and persuasively, in both written outputs and oral presentations, tailored to diverse audiences to facilitate informed decision-making.
• Collaboration and Guidance: Effectively collaborate with CAO’s DR, compliance, communications, and Strategy and Operations teams. Develop relationships with relevant internal and external stakeholders to improve advisory impact; Provide mentorship to staff and consultants; Proactively encourage and create the space for an inclusive and mutually supportive team culture.
• Strategic Thinking: Analyze complex institutional dynamics, IFC/MIGA policies, and CAO cases to develop forward-looking, evidence-based recommendations aligned with the strategic priorities of CAO, IFC, and MIGA.
• Organized Planning & Time Management: Develop and manage detailed action plans, prioritize competing demands, and coordinate across teams to ensure timely, high-quality delivery of projects aligned with Advisory's goals.
• Others: Fulfill all relevant tasks as agreed with the supervisor.

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

The senior specialist will report to Irum Ahsan.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in environmental or social sciences with at least 8 years of relevant experience.
• Significant experience in environmental and social performance standards of DFIs and ability to enhance risk management approaches.
• Experience in identifying, assessing, and managing environmental and social risks with the ability to balance development impact, operational feasibility, and institutional accountability.
• Strong analytical, communication, and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, well-structured, and compelling outputs.

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

As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.

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.