Environmental and Social Compliance Specialist

World Bank Group • Washington, DC

9d

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 mandate of the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) is to assist the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)—the private sector lending and insurance arms of the World Bank Group—to address complaints from people affected by IFC and MIGA activities in a manner that is fair, objective, and constructive, and to enhance the E&S outcomes of activities in which these institutions play a role. For more information visit www.cao-ombudsman.org.

CAO’s Compliance function carries out reviews of IFC/MIGA compliance with their E&S Policies, assesses related harm, and recommends remedial actions to address non-compliance and harm where appropriate. The Compliance function also monitors and reports on the implementation of Board approved commitments made by IFC or MIGA, via Management Action Plans, to address CAO’s findings. In executing its work, the Compliance function generates experience and knowledge that can assist IFC and MIGA in developing leading edge approaches to environmental and social risk management and facilitating access to remedy.
IFC is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, IFC uses its capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities where they are needed most. MIGA promotes cross-border investment in developing countries by providing guarantees (political risk insurance and credit enhancement) to investors and lenders.
The Role: Working under the direction of the Compliance Manager, the E&S Specialist will lead CAO’s monitoring of the effective implementation of IFC and MIGA’s Management Actions Plans (MAPs) prepared in response to CAO compliance investigation findings.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, for example economics, monitoring/measurement & evaluation, auditing, project management, etc. or a field that emphasizes quantitative/qualitative data analysis and research methods. Understanding of IFC’s environmental and social standards and CAO’s processes is preferred.
• Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation, auditing, project management, or business administration. Experience in environmental policy and compliance analysis is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills, ability to conduct quality reviews of analysis performed by others, and ability to package analytical results focusing on relevant stakeholders’ needs.
• Experience working with private sector clients with exposure to emerging markets in a wide range of sectors (e.g., energy, agribusiness, extractive industries, infrastructure, and financial intermediaries).
• Highly developed ability to engage and influence effectively and build rapport and trust with a broad spectrum of stakeholders in polarized contexts around complex issues.
• Advanced project management skills including ability to independently monitor milestones, deliverables, risk and outputs of complex initiatives.
• Ability to communicate complex messages and perspectives and effectively handle difficult questions in a range of contexts.
• Demonstrated judgment under high levels of scrutiny from both internal and external stakeholders, requiring the ability to present evidence-based reasonings in an objective, technically sound and constructive manner.
• Ability to work in highly sensitive and politically charged environments and to navigate sensitive situations and manage issues of confidentiality appropriately.
• Proven experience in coordination and collaboration of cross-functional teams, willingness to receive and manage diverse perspectives.
• Proficiency in English required, with other languages an asset.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring Oversight: Lead the implementation of CAO’s recently updated compliance monitoring approach by supporting the Compliance Manager and case teams in planning and executing enhanced processes related to the monitoring of IFC/MIGA MAPs.
• Case Monitoring: Lead development of case monitoring plans and oversee their implementation.
• Reporting: Lead the preparation of monitoring reports (bundled and stand-alone) in close coordination with the investigation case teams. Manage production of the reports, their quality assurance, and CAO Management review and clearance.
• Planning and Coordination: Plan and coordinate CAO’s compliance monitoring cycle and reporting cadence, including case monitoring plans, field visits, stand-alone and bundled monitoring reports, and relevant stakeholder engagements.
• Stakeholder Management: Coordinate and document required engagements with key stakeholders including complainants and their representatives, IFC/MIGA staff, and IFC/MIGA Board members, among others.
• Quality Assurance: Support the Compliance Manager in ensuring consistency of case monitoring plans, analysis, evidence packs, implementation and effectiveness ratings, and reports.
• Evaluation and Learning: In conjunction with CAO’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, identify and document lessons learned and opportunities to strengthen compliance monitoring practices; draw insights to enhance the facilitation of remedial outcomes through compliance processes. Contribute to and collaborate with CAO’s Advisory team in the creation and dissemination of knowledge and lessons learned as they relate to CAO’s compliance work.
• Training and Coaching. Coach and guide Compliance staff and consultants in the execution of their roles and responsibilities related to monitoring practices. Promote an environment of shared success and teamwork, connecting staff with peers across different practices and areas.

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