Sustainable Development Practice Group
The Sustainable Development (SD) Practice Group (GP) supports the WBG’s twin goals by focusing on sustainable and inclusive growth. It consists of five Global Practices and one Global Theme. The Global Practices (GPs) that belong to the SD PG are: Agriculture and Food; Environment, Natural Resources and the Blue Economy; Urban, Resilience and Land; Social Sustainability and Inclusion; and Water. The Climate Change Group forms SD PG’s single Global Theme. In addition, SD is at the front line of implementation of Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).
As of July 1, 2019, as part of the Bank-wide realignment of Practice Group management responsibilities, SD’s leadership team includes Regional Directors (RDs) responsible for delivery of SD’s regional and country programs, and Global Directors (GDs) who have a primary role in setting GP strategy, global engagements, promoting the flow of global knowledge, talent management and strategic staffing. The SD PG has four objectives: (i) deliver basic needs; (ii) ensure sustainability; (iii) build social inclusion/cohesion; and, (iv) lead on long term issues.
Social Sustainability and Inclusion Development Context
Social Sustainability and Inclusion Global Practice (SSI GP) helps countries tackle deep rooted social problems stemming from fragility, climate change, exclusion, and the digital age with people centered solutions that build on local values and institutions. The GP engages with citizens, communities and governments to deepen resilience, build inclusion, and empower vulnerable and marginalized groups to have influence and voice. The GP prioritizes participatory, multi-sectoral approaches that build on norms and informal institutions to address social challenges and to build more inclusive, empowered communities. It also works across the Bank’s portfolio to implement the Environment and Social Framework (ESF) standards and strengthen inclusive development.
SSI Units in the Africa East and South region (AFE)
The AFE region has two SSI units (SAES2 and SAES3), which are responsible for: (i) undertaking social analysis during project preparation and implementation, to mainstream social development and inclusion issues throughout the Bank’s work in the region; (ii) ensuring compliance with the Bank’s social safeguards policies on Involuntary Resettlement and Indigenous People and the implementation of the ESF; (iii) undertaking Advisory Services and Analytics in the form of thematic studies on social development issues, country social analysis, and Reimbursable Advisory Services; (iv) leading the preparation and supervision of lending operations that promote social inclusion of the poor and vulnerable by empowering people, building cohesive and resilient societies, and making institutions accessible and accountable to citizens; and (v) facilitating partnerships and dialogue with civil society through outreach and engagement. SAES3, the hiring unit, covers three CMUs, which in turn cover the following countries: Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius; Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Angola, Sao Tome & Principe; and South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini.
The Position
SAES3 is seeking a Social Development Specialist to be based in Maseru, Lesotho. We are seeking staff able to deliver with versatility across the SSI agenda, including with strong experience working on ESF/safeguards.
The specialist will report to the Practice Manager, coordinate closely with the Regional Standards/Safeguards Coordinator, and the SSI CMU Coordinator. The specialist will be expected to work closely with Lesotho country unit and task teams, provide cross-support (as needed) to other countries covered by SAES3, and to work collaboratively and develop good relations with the corporate safeguards team, the broader SSI team and other GP teams.
Duties and Accountabilities
The Social Development Specialist will have the following responsibilities:
The specialist will be primarily responsible for providing ESF and safeguards advice to ensure compliance with World Bank’s ESF and safeguard policies.
More specifically:
• Work with the CMU Coordinator, the Regional Safeguards Coordinator and other social safeguard specialists to provide oversight and quality assurance on the Lesotho project portfolio, and as needed, on portfolio of other CMUs covered by SAES3.
• Support the implementation of social safeguards/ESF by providing high quality technical support and capacity building for client agencies in Lesotho.
• Work closely with the task teams and other social development colleagues to address ESF and social safeguards challenges in the portfolio.
• Work closely with regional focal points on Citizen Engagement and Gender to ensure the portfolio is in compliance with corporate requirements.
• Prepare Environmental and Social Review Summaries and relevant social sections for Project Concept Notes/Project Appraisal Documents and complete activities and reporting in the Environmental and Social Management system for pipeline projects.
• Ensure that, at any time, the relevant reporting systems are updated with high quality information to allow proactive monitoring, management, and reporting of social risk across the portfolio.
• Help develop sustainable local and national consultation mechanisms and strategies, including strategies on strengthening project-level grievance redress mechanisms across Lesotho portfolio.
• Provide analytical and operational support to other SSI activities, as needed.
Note: The specialist may be expected to take other assignments as and when required by the Practice Manager, Regional Safeguards Coordinator, and CMU Coordinator.
Selection Criteria
• Advanced university degree (preferably, Masters or PhD) in relevant social science (e.g., Sociology, Social Anthropology, Human Geography, Economics, and Political Science, Law) or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in social development topics, including social risk management, social inclusion, social accountability, stakeholder engagement, community-driven development, gender, youth, etc.
• Experience with social safeguards/social risk management including working on complex social safeguards issues at the operational level and in developing capacity of client implementing agencies and other stakeholders.
• Experience in working on analytical and technical assistance activities in a team-based environment.
• Ability to carry-out independent policy-relevant research, translate theory into practical applications, and adapt professional knowledge and technical skills to analyze, diagnose and propose solutions to policy issues and challenges.
• Demonstrated project/program management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and team skills, and ability to think innovatively and strategically to find balanced solutions to development problems, with a strong client focus.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English and Sesotho is essential. Knowledge of other languages spoken in the region is desirable.
In addition, the successful candidate is expected to exhibit the following core competencies:
• Deliver Results for Clients: Proactively addresses client’s stated and unstated needs.
• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries: Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective and willingly received diverse perspectives.
• Lead and Innovate: Develops innovative solutions.
• 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.
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.
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Closing date: 25 May 2022