WBG Manager – E&S Risk Management

World Bank Group • Washington, DC

7d

About The Position

The World Bank Group (WBG) is a global partnership of five institutions - the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) - with a mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of financing and knowledge for developing countries, we partner with public and private stakeholders to address critical development challenges. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we deploy data, research, and technology to deliver tangible, transformative results. For more information, visit www.worldbankgroup.org.
The World Bank Group (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 has established an independent second line of environmental and social (E&S) risk oversight within its Chief Risk Officer function. 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 effective E&S risk management, credible complaints management and accountability mechanisms, and integrated E&S risk information systems that enable informed, transparent, and responsible decision-making. The department is currently seeking 2 Managers to lead its E&S Risk Management units.
Overview: Under the supervision, direction and guidance of the WBG Global Director for Environment and Social Risk, the Manager is responsible for executing risk management functions to fulfill the department's mandate. This role includes both strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure the effective management of environmental and social risks in World Bank Group operations.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in environmental science or a related field is required. At least 15 years of international experience in the public sector, private sector, and multilateral development finance, with a focus on environmental and social management.
• Experience managing environmental or social risks, with significant involvement in E&S issues for complex, multi-stakeholder projects across various sectors and regions.
• Experience in development activities aligned with the mission, strategy, and values of World Bank Group E&S Policies and Standards.
• Leadership and people management experience in large, diverse, and technical organizational settings.
• Ability to provide intellectual leadership, support talent development, motivate teams across locations, mentor colleagues, and promote new organizational practices.
• Knowledge of WBG markets, including FCS and IDA countries.
• Proficiency in written, verbal, and public speaking skills, with the capacity to represent WBG in global and regional ESG forums.
• Experience representing WBG to external clients, government authorities, development organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Compliance with World Bank Group managerial selection criteria, such as effective team leadership, cross-functional influence, openness to innovation, and commitment to developing emerging talent.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership and Management: The Manager will lead the E&S Risk Management team, oversee specialists and manage all aspects related to team performance, including budget allocation, staffing decisions, and work planning. S/he will also supervise a group of E&S staff, providing guidance and support in performance evaluations, onboarding, training, professional development, and handling various administrative tasks.
• Oversight of Environmental and Social Risk Management: Key responsibilities include the overall oversight and management of E&S risks across the WBG project portfolio. S/he intervenes and collaborates with regional E&S teams to address complex and high-risk situations in portfolio projects, with the goal of managing E&S risks and monitoring that corrective actions are identified and implemented. The manager works with specialists to a) ensure proactive monitoring of E&S risks during project implementation; b) maintain a watch list of projects under implementation; c) identify systemic issues (through periodic portfolio reviews), d) stepping in as high-risk issues arise during project implementation; e) monitor that corrective actions are identified and implemented.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Accountability: The Manager leads, oversees and monitors management of direct complaints and advises on cases handled by the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and the Inspection Panel (IP). The Manager is responsible for reviewing the adequacy of solutions for high-risk complaints. The Manager supports the WBG E&S Director in advising on responses to CAO and Inspection Panel compliance cases.
• Strategic Leadership and Policy Alignment: Working in collaboration with E&S Risk Officers, the Manager provides strategic leadership and guidance to ensure effective social and environmental risk management in line with WBG policies and E&S review procedures. This will include, but not be limited to, a) assigning appropriate E&S risk and performance ratings; b) providing clearance at defined administrative touchpoints during the project lifecycle; c) working closely with regional teams on complaints and complex projects; and d) coordination with WBG’s global policy unit to maintain consistent E&S standards and supporting their application through WBG operations.
• Support for High-Risk and Complex Projects: For high-risk or complex projects, the Manager, in collaboration with regional E&S Managers ensures effective E&S risk management. Internally, S/he will assign E&S risk officers to address issues in complex cases and high-risk projects, working proactively with regional teams to manage E&S risks and monitor that corrective actions are identified and implemented.
• Portfolio Risk Management and Representation: The Manager works closely with regional E&S teams to manage E&S risks for WBG operations, identify systemic and emerging portfolio risks and support risk reviews and the implementation of corrective actions. Additionally, the Manager represents the WBG to maintain its leadership position in environmental and social risk management and assures stakeholders that WBG projects adhere to environmental and social responsibility standards.

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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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