Job Description

Principal Environmental Specialist - South Asia Job #: req34265
Organization: IFC
Sector: Environment
Grade: GH
Term Duration: 3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: New Delhi,India; Kathmandu,Nepal; Colombo,Sri Lanka
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 9/29/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
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.
IFC is seeking a Principal Environmental and Social Development Specialist to provide leadership and guidance to IFC's South Asia region E&S team, clients, investment, and advisory teams on environmental risk management vis-a-vis IFC Performance Standards with the aim of promoting compliance with IFC's E&S standards and enhanced impact and additionality of IFC-supported investments and advisory mandates. The Principal Environmental and Social Development Specialist will support in strategic decision making about environmental and social risk management across the lending portfolio, promote building environmental sustainability into project design and implementation, support the use of sound environmental and social assessment methodologies across sectors and countries, and lead knowledge and learning initiatives. This position will report to the South Asia E&S Regional Manager.
Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice and lead complex and challenging environmental and social risks and impacts in new investments and select advisory engagements.

• Lead E&S project teams for large and complex new investment and select advisory and PPP projects, ensuring effective E&S risk management support to teams and Management, and sound solutions to clients.

• Support teams and clients to proactively respond and find solutions to stakeholder grievances submitted to client, IFC or CAO.

• Proactively monitor the environmental and social performance of multiple high-risk portfolio projects and clients.

• Distill broader E&S risk trends in IFC's portfolio; provide input to portfolio analysis and trends at portfolio management reviews.

• Support the Regional E&S Regional Manager in facilitating and coordinating operations, including acting as delegated official in the absence of the Manager and engagement with the DC based risk team CES,

• Consistently demonstrate high visibility and leadership on ESG in the region.

• Provide guidance and leadership through mentoring and coaching staff and consultants to ensure high quality of work performed by the team.

• Support the Regional E&S Manager and Regional Industry Leads with annual performance assessments of E&S staff based and working in South Asia through regular and timely feedback.

• Participate in strategic decision making regarding IFC role in advisory and upstream support to enhance E&S risk management performance. Where relevant support the development of appropriate solutions.

• Provide expert input into the preparation of policy interpretation notes on environmental topics and contribute to the corporate knowledge base by analyzing and disseminating lessons learned from project work.

• Represent IFC at relevant external technical forums; develop position paper(s) in the area of expertise.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in environmental sciences, social science, engineering, or other relevant discipline(s).

• Minimum of fifteen years of relevant professional experience, including private sector experience in sustainability and E&S risk management, experience in leading E&S due diligence and E&S monitoring for projects financed by development financial institutions an added advantage.

• International experience required with experience in the South Asia region preferred and an added advantage.

• In-depth experience in infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, plus experience in other sectors is also preferred.

• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely in spoken and written English is essential; Any other regional language skills is highly advantageous.

• Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills including the ability to relate well with a wide range of internal and external parties and develop solutions in potentially tense or conflicting situations.

• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner. Diplomatic approach and calm under pressure.

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team, influence and negotiate points of view within teams, superior mentoring skills.

• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse information sources, and draw conclusions from sometimes limited data.

• Exemplary project management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.

• Pragmatic, solution-oriented, problem solver with a high degree of responsiveness and proactivity, coupled with the ability to recognize when a solution is not available.

• Deep knowledge of IFC's Sustainability Framework and Performance Standards.

WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency - Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking - Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability - Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.
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 and , including our values and inspiring stories.

Skills Required