Environmental specialist

Background

Job #: 082066

The mission of the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Environment Unit (LCSEN) is to help client countries promote economic development with environmental sustainability. LCSEN works with clients to internalize the economic impact of environmental degradation and supports their efforts to improve environmental and natural resource management, address climate change challenges (particularly adaptation), and promote investment in sustainable infrastructure. The Environment unit pursues these objectives by: (i) financing programs that support policy reforms and investments in environmental improvements and sustainable water resources management; (ii) providing technical assistance and advisory services (including cross support to other units and fee-for-service programs); and (iii) undertaking non-lending analytical work in response to client demand and needs. LCSEN mobilizes grant resources and innovative financing instruments to support these efforts. In addition, LCSEN works collaboratively with other sector units within the SD Department in addition to working across Bank networks and with other member institutions of the World Bank Group.

In the context for the program for the Southern Cone countries (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay), the Bank program includes a rich portfolio and pipeline of activities addressing brown issues (air and water pollution and solid and toxic waste management), green issues (natural resources, forestry and biodiversity), and water resources management. The program uses all available sources of funding, including IBRD loans, GEF and other trust fund grants, and carbon finance. The environment program includes about 18 projects (under preparation and implementation) and pieces of analytical work in the four LCC7 countries managed by SD. LCSEN has responsibility over approximately 2-4 new loans and grants per year, 3 analytical tasks, and 6 projects (IBRD, GEF, Montreal Protocol) under supervision. In addition, LCSEN provides support to the environmental aspects of projects and studies managed by other units.

Duties and Accountabilities

LCSEN is seeking a dynamic Environmental Specialist to support the above program. Based in the Buenos Aires office under the guidance of the Sector Leader based in Buenos Aires and reporting to the Sector Manager based Washington DC, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:

a. Carry out or contribute to analytical work, project development and project implementation tasks related to natural resources management and biodiversity aspects in the LCC7 countries,

b. Support projects across the LCSSD program, such as infrastructure and rural development projects, on environmental safeguards or environment-related objectives or components,

c. Participate or facilitate dialogue with clients and relevant stakeholders on project implementation and policy reforms in the four countries primarily on conservation and natural resources management issues, but also on projects under implementation addressing pollution issues, including the strategy for global public goods aspects (e.g., climate change, biodiversity, and carbon markets),

d. Support business development efforts mobilizing existing and new grant and concessional funding for environmental programs consistent with the CMU and Sector Strategy,

e. Support dialogue with civil society and regional bodies (e.g., CEPAL) on environmental issues, and coordinate activities with the IDB and bilateral agencies.

Requirements:

• An advanced university degree (Masters Degree or equivalent or PhD) in natural resources management/environmental sciences, or other relevant discipline;
• At least five years of relevant professional experience including the development, implementation and monitoring of environment and natural resources management projects and programs, including analytical work underpinning such activities;
• Understanding of the institutional and political context of the four countries served by the CMU and exposure to the environmental and NRM policy challenges facing them;
• Experience working on the design and implementation of environmental projects, with climate change mitigation and adaptation issues;
• Experience in identifying, preparing, appraising, and supervising operations;
• Demonstrated familiarity with Bank procedures, directives, business practices; as well as strong business development skills;
• Demonstrated experience with the application of Bank environment safeguards policies/guidelines;
• Experience working with GEF, Carbon Finance project processing is highly desirable;
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and/or contribute to multi-stakeholder dialogue at the country or regional level.
• Excellent verbal and written language skills in Spanish and English.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within Argentina, and to Paraguay, Chile and Uruguay.