World Bank Hiring Manager, ESG Support, Investment and Advice,

Manager, ESG Support, Investment and Advice, Eastern Africa

 Description

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 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The Manager, ESG Support, Investment and Advice (the “Regional Manager”) oversees a regional team that finds solutions to client issues based on our Environmental and Social (E&S) Performance Standards (http://www.ifc.org/performancestandards) and reviews and manages E&S risks associated with IFC investment and advisory activities according to IFC Sustainability Policy and E&S review procedures (ESRPs). 

The Regional Manager’s role is to ensure the timely delivery of E&S support to IFC’s investment, advisory, and upstream operations in East Africa and lead the delivery of the ESG advisory services offering close collaboration with relevant investment and advisory teams working on projects in their region, the Environmental & Social Policy and Risk Department (CES), and, as needed, on relevant projects with the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO). 

The Regional Manager will be part of the Africa Vice Presidency and will collaborate with the other managers in the VPU. The selected candidate will be part of the Regional Management Team and actively contribute to important strategic decisions to successfully achieve the VPU’s program and objectives. 

Duties and Accountabilities  
 
• Manage the design and delivery of the ESG advisory program in the region, delivered fully by the unit or in collaboration with an Industry Advisory Service team. 
• Lead the planning and delivery of programmatic support to achieve IFC’s regional goals and strategy, in close collaboration with CES and other Regional ESG Managers, to deliver sound E&S risk management for IFC’s investment and advisory projects.  
• Responsible for budget planning and staffing, technical and fiduciary oversight of regional operations support (new business and portfolio operations) and advisory programs.  
• Develop a deep understanding of issues and regional challenges and opportunities, including civil society organizations’ (CSO) concerns, direct complaints, and complaints with the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO). Manage and monitor CSO and CAO engagement in the region. 
• Ensure that IFC’s quality assurance and quality control needs are met for new business and portfolio, including the team’s adherence to IFC’s Sustainability Policy and advising clients in accordance with Performance Standards on Environment and Social Sustainability, adherence to the IFC Access to Information Policy, and to the Environment and Social Review Procedures.  
• Coordinate with relevant Investment, Advisory, and Regional Department staff in the region to ensure project teams are equipped to identify, assess, monitor and effectively mitigate E&S risks and issues and to achieve successful and sustainable outcomes. Closely collaborate with CES on proposed new business and portfolio projects. Leads regional presentations to management. 
• Participate in relevant Global and Regional management team meetings and contribute to strategic decisions to deliver the VPU’s program and objectives.  
• Build and implement a proactive strategy for IFC to continue advancing its leadership position in sustainable development, from designing innovative approaches to disseminating regional diagnostics, good practices, and lessons learned. 
• Provide administrative and HR management oversight, ensuring effective coordination and support for all team members and fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. 

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate for this position is expected to have educational qualifications in a relevant discipline, a strong professional background in social and/or environmental assessment, a proven track record ensuring E&S risk mitigation and compliance in private sector delivery, people management/leadership skills, and familiarity with the IFC’s Sustainability Framework. Specific criteria include: 

• A Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in an environment or social development-related discipline is preferred, with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience dealing with environmental and social issues in the private sector. The criteria for the position will be open to candidates from various disciplines if they possess relevant experience. 

• Track record of professional leadership on social and environmental sustainability. 

• Commitment to development and a proven track record aligning with the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission, strategy, and values. 

• Excellent leadership particularly demonstrated in a complex organizational setting with responsibilities for leading and managing large, diverse, and highly technical and multidisciplinary projects and functions. 

• Strong track record in people management, providing intellectual leadership, managing, building talent, and motivating staff across different locations, growing businesses while becoming a strong mentor and leading by example. 

• Demonstrate the highest level of integrity and decisiveness in taking responsibility and holding others accountable for results; strong professional background and client-facing experience in assessing and improving the ESG performance of private sector clients. 

• A clear understanding and experience in emerging markets, including fragile and conflict-affected situations and low-income countries.   

• Strong communication, knowledge management, public speaking skills, and the ability to represent IFC in global and regional forums. 

• Ability to represent IFC to key external clients, government authorities, other stakeholders, and critics. 

• Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English are required. 

• Willingness to travel as and where necessary. 

• Meet Bank Group-wide managerial selection criteria, including courage of your convictions, leading the team for impact, influencing across boundaries, fostering openness to new ideas, and building talent for the future. 

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.