The International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group, supports poverty alleviation and economic growth by promoting private sector investment in its developing member countries through long-term financing and advisory services.  IFC finances projects that are commercially viable and environmentally and socially sound while contributing to sustainable development.  Through its Policy on Social and Environmental Sustainability, IFC’s Environment and Social Development Department (CES) ensures that the Corporation’s activities meet the requirements of its Performance Standards.  CES also offers a wide range of expertise to help clients to identify and solve complex environmental and social problems, and to find value-added opportunities in their business operations. 

CES is seeking to recruit a qualified specialist with expertise in social development to collaborate with regional staff and CES colleagues in support of IFC’s investments.   The position will include substantial work with IFC financial intermediary clients, including fund managers and investment banks.  Knowledge of this sector is therefore a priority consideration for the post.
 
Duties and Accountabilities:

• Review and appraise new investment project proposals, identify social risks and issues, including labor and working conditions, assess project proponent capacity for meeting IFC’s social performance standards, provide recommendations for IFC action and draft relevant documentation to advance the investment project
• Supervise regional portfolio clients in their commitments to meet IFC’s social performance standards
• Supervise regional financial intermediary clients in their commitments to implement social and environmental management systems that ensure appropriate risk management , including (where applicable) compliance to IFC performance standards
• Assist IFC investment staff with business development and ensure that social issues, including labor and working conditions, are addressed early in the project development process
• Provide expert advice and technical support to private sector clients to achieve positive sustainable development outcomes; including the mobilization of support from IFC advisory services
• Contribute to the design and delivery of training programs on sustainability and social risk management for project sponsors as well as for IFC staff
• Facilitate communication among various investment project stakeholders to promote socially sound project implementation with sustainable development outcomes
• Build a strong regional network to assist IFC and its clients with social development best practices

Selection Criteria:

•  Post-graduate degree in social sciences or related discipline
• A minimum of 5 years practical social sector experience in a private industry, non-profit organization and/or consulting capacity
• Demonstrated capacity in one or more of the following areas: social impact assessment; public consultation and community relations; involuntary resettlement; indigenous and minority people’s issues; cultural heritage conservation and management; community development planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; public health and safety
• Understanding of, and interest in, the financial sector, including international finance institution (IFI) approaches to financial intermediary lending and related development agenda
• Experience with social and environmental management system design and implementation, including development of indicators to monitor system effectiveness
• Experience in identifying and improving labor and working conditions in factories. Knowledge on occupational health and safety; international labor standards; and familiarity with ISO quality assurance, OHSAS management systems and social compliance monitoring standards
• Experience with labor and working condition issues in global supply chains
• Extensive work experience in one or more developing countries, preferably in a private sector context
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills
• Ability to operate as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team
• Fluency in English is a pre-requisite; capacity to work in Mandarin will be given priority consideration.  Other languages will also be considered
• Experience and/or familiarity with the IFC’s Policy and Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability (and/or Revised Equator Principles) desirable.

The position is based in Hong Kong, SAR.  The initial contract runs over a 2-year period, renewable. IFC offers a challenging work environment and attractive remuneration and benefits. For Corporate information please visit www.ifc.org then browse for careers and current opportunities to apply, in English, on-line.  Resume and supporting material (i.e. cover letter, list of projects) shall not exceed four pages.

No phone calls, paper mails or faxes please. All applications will be treated in strictest confidence. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Apply online, please click here