(Senior) Environmental Specialist – Biodiversity

World Bank Group • Washington, DC

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About The Position

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 WBG Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Vice Presidency is the core unit responsible for Group-wide institutional risk oversight, including establishment and monitoring adherence to risk policies and guidelines and risk assessment and reporting to the Board and executive management. Its mission is to enable and support the WBG to achieve its goals in a financially sustainable manner. The VPU assists management with identifying and managing Group-wide cross-cutting risks, enhancing risk response decisions, reducing financial and operational surprises and losses, seizing opportunities and improving deployment of capital. The WBG CRO Vice Presidency includes the IBRD/IDA, IFC, and MIGA risk teams and covers a wide range of financial and non-financial risks.
To enhance accountability and credibility, the World Bank Group (WBG) has established an independent second line of environmental and social risk oversight within its Chief Risk Officer (CRO) function called CROES. While operational teams at the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA are responsible for designing and implementing projects in accordance with E&S policies, the newly formed E&S Risk Department—led by the WBG Global Director for Environment and Social Risk—oversees, monitors, and evaluates E&S risk and performance. The department is currently seeking an E&S development specialist for performing E&S risk management function for regional transactions.

CROES is looking for a seasoned, dynamic and motivated Biodiversity specialist with sound technical judgement and minimum 12 years of relevant experience for the E&S risk oversight function within CROES. The selected candidate will work as part of a seasoned team, guided by Lead Regional Risk Officers and supported by Associates and Analysts, and will report to the Manager, E&S Risk Management Unit.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of working experience, in biodiversity risk management and in the application of WBG E&S standards (including PS6 and ES6) on DFI-financed projects in the public and private sector including in developing countries
• Candidates should have a graduate/advanced degree in relevant discipline (e.g., biological or ecological sciences, such as conservation biology, ecology & evolution, wildlife management or similar.
• Familiarity and proven experience in managing biodiversity issues related to complex transactions involving infrastructure, extractives, manufacturing, agribusiness, and/or services sectors.
• Knowledge of IFC’s Sustainability Framework and Performance Standards (especially PS6) including requirements for Financial Intermediaries.
• Strong analytical skills, use of GIS and AI tools, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse information sources, and draw conclusions from sometimes limited data.
• Ability to travel and manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely in spoken and written English is essential.
• Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills include the ability to relate well with a wide range of internal and external parties and develop solutions in potentially tense or conflicting situations.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team, influence and negotiate points of view within teams.
• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner.

Nice To Haves

• Additional language skills are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Work in collaboration with the Lead E&S Risk Officers on E&S monitoring and oversight role across the WBG.
• Oversight of Biodiversity risks:
• Reviewing project documentation with respect of biodiversity risks (DD reports, ESIA/CHA, BMP offset feasibility, etc.), monitoring reports/SSVs/E&S ratings and providing qualified technical opinions on biodiversity matters (e.g. alignment to PS6, scope of studies, etc).
• Keeping an active oversight and providing opinion on WBG-wide initiatives such as biodiversity and nature finance and tracking, nature-related disclosures and targets.
• Keeping an active oversight of portfolio projects to identify issues at project level as well and to identify trends and issues in relation to biodiversity risks and impacts.
• Tracking portfolio-wide risks with respect to biodiversity aspects in coordination with the regional Biodiversity specialists.
• Supporting the mapping of biodiversity-related risks and propose the development of approaches to better manage the risk.
• Supporting/participating in Senior Management Reviews.
• Support for High-risk and complex projects:
• Contribute to regional supervision program reviews for projects with complex biodiversity issues.
• Work as technical specialist in complex projects together with regional ESG teams and regional biodiversity specialists.
• Leadership and Policy Alignment: Oversee, coordinate and manage biodiversity consultants working with the CRORM team as well as participating/animating the internal Biodiversity Practice Group.
• Input and maintain the Integrated Risk (IR) Dashboard that will provide World Bank Group (WBG) senior leadership and the Enterprise Risk Committee with a consolidated, actionable view of Environmental and Social (E&S) risks across all WBG operations (IBRD/IDA, IFC, MIGA).
• Contribute to development of high-quality work products that clearly and logically frame and concisely communicate risks and mitigants.
• Grievance Response: Support Accountability and Engagement function in monitoring projects with CAO or direct E&S complaints and work with project teams, particularly the ESG regional specialist in finding solutions and addressing non-compliances.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level