Social Development Specialist – Social Development at World Bank: (Deadline 2 May 2023)

 Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

The Social Sustainability and Inclusion (SSI) Global Practice (GP):

The 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. It 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 environmental and social framework (ESF) to strengthen inclusive development. Cross-GP collaboration is critical for the ESF and for the direct operational work of this position.

Social Sustainability and Inclusion (SSI) in AFE (SAES2)

The SSI Unit (SAES2) in the East and Southern Africa region (AFE) is responsible for: (a) undertaking social analysis during project preparation and implementation to mainstream social development and inclusion issues throughout the Bank’s work in the region; (b) ensuring compliance with the Bank’s Environment and Social Framework standards and safeguards policies relevant to social risk management; (c) undertaking Advisory Services and Analytics in the form of thematic studies on social sustainability and inclusion; (d) leading the preparation and supervision of lending operations that promotes inclusion of vulnerable groups including ethnic minorities, women and youth, and (f) facilitating partnerships and dialogue with civil society through outreach and engagement.

SAES2 is seeking a social development specialist to be based in Kigali, Rwanda to provide support to preparation and supervision of the clients ESF obligations across the World Bank’s portfolio in Rwanda. The specialist will help ensure that social considerations are integrated into project design and implementation in accordance with the Bank’s legacy social safeguard policies and the ESF across the portfolio. The World Bank’s Rwanda portfolio includes engagement in energy, transport, health, education, agriculture, natural resource management, social protection, urban development, and climate change adaptation.

The successful candidate will be part of the SAES2 team and work closely with task teams they support. They will report directly to the SAES2 Practice Manager based in Nairobi and work under the day-to-day supervision of the social risk management Coordinator based in Uganda.

Duties and Responsibilities:

As a member of task teams supporting the preparation and implementation of the World Bank portfolio in Rwanda, the specialist will be responsible for advising on the effective assessment and management of project induced social risks by client counterparts. The main objective of the assignment is to ensure that projects meet the necessary standards of the World Bank’s legacy safeguards policies and the ESF and reflect current good practice in social sustainability. To that end, it is anticipated that the Specialist will also contribute to building the capacity of client counterparts, and others involved with World Bank financed projects, and thus raise their awareness of social risk management requirements and good practice within Rwanda and the region.

The Specialist will apply their technical expertise to a broad range of social development themes and policy issues. With the support of the Social Risk Management Coordinator, they will:

• •   As part of project task teams, support the preparation of Bank financed projects including through developing project Environmental and Social Review Summaries (ESRSs), and supporting the preparation of Project Concept Notes (PCNs), Project Appraisal Documents (PADs), Implementation Status and Results Reports (ISRs) Mid-Term Reviews (MTRs), Implementation Completion Reports (ICRs) and others reports as needed.

• •    Review and advise on client-developed terms of reference (ToR) and final reports for social assessments and social risk management instruments such as Resettlement Plans (RPs), Ethnic Minority Development Plans (EMDPs), Labor Management Procedures (LMPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs), Gender Based Violence Action Plans and other relevant documents.

• •   Participate in portfolio reviews and briefings for World Bank Management on social risk management.

• •   Support efforts to build capacity among colleagues and counterparts including understanding of Social Impact Assessment, resettlement planning and stakeholder engagement as it relates to projects. Where appropriate promote and contribute substantively to analyses and efforts to strengthen country systems.

• •   Undertake dialogue with clients on social inclusion and social sustainability issues, ranging from upstream inputs into Systematic Country Diagnostics and Country Partnership Frameworks, to advising counterparts on related policies or on risks and opportunities, to issues of social sustainability and social elements of Environmental and Social Governance (ESG).

• •   Other assignments as and when required.

Selection Criteria

This position suited to constructive, highly motivated team member with an eye for detail and strong problem-solving abilities. It is expected that the successful candidate will meet the following selection criteria:

•        Master’s degree in relevant social sciences (e.g., Sociology, Anthropology, Geography, Development Studies, Political Science, etc.)

•        Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the management of social risks (resettlement, labor and working conditions, gender-based violence, stakeholder engagement, discrimination and/or exclusion etc.) in investment projects.

•        Working knowledge of World Bank’s operations including the ESF as well as social safeguard policies on involuntary resettlement and Indigenous peoples.

•        Experience working on development projects in Rwanda.

•        Demonstrated analytical capacity, through written work and dialogue, of in-depth knowledge of social issues, including social assessment and consultation/participation methodologies, working with vulnerable groups, resettlement, and Indigenous Peoples.

•        A proven team-player experienced in working in a broad range of cultural and social contexts.

•        Demonstrated ability to apply a practical approach to problem solving, produce high quality work outputs, effectively prioritize, and adapt to competing and unexpected demands.

•        High level of energy, initiative, and self-motivation; willingness to travel extensively.

•        Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda.

•        Enthusiasm for, and commitment to, poverty alleviation, social development and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.

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.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND APPLY