Social Development Specialist
| Job #: | req34496 |
| Organization: | IFC |
| Sector: | Environment |
| Grade: | GF |
| Term Duration: | 3 years 0 months |
| Recruitment Type: | Local Recruitment |
| Location: | Cairo,Egypt |
| Required Language(s): | Arabic and English |
| Preferred Language(s): | French |
| Closing Date: | 10/15/2025 (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 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) teams supports IFC’s investment and advisory departments to manage ESG risks associated with their activities and find solutions to client issues on basis of our Environmental and Social (E&S) Performance Standards (www.ifc.org/performancestandards) and the Corporate Governance Methodology (www.ifc.org/corporategovernance). The IFC ESG teams are embedded in each regional operation across the globe and further leverages this expertise and experience in emerging markets to promote the effective adoption of these standards by companies and investors across emerging markets. More details can be found at www.ifc.org/sustainability. IFC is seeking a dynamic, motivated Social Development Specialist with strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills to support its business in the North, West and the Horn of Africa. The specialist will provide guidance to clients and IFC’s investment and advisory teams on social risk management matters vis-à-vis IFC Performance Standards (PS) and the Sustainability Policy, with the aim of promoting compliance and enhancing the impact and additionality of IFC-supported business activities. The position will report to the ESG Regional Manager for the North, West and the Horn of Africa region. Duties and Accountabilities Early Screening, Due Diligence, Portfolio Upstream and Advisory Services Stakeholder Management Knowledge Management
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. • Lead and assess social issues/risks in new and portfolio investments, advisory and upstream engagements, including stakeholder engagement and grievance management, labor and working conditions, gender concerns, community health and safety, involuntary resettlement, Indigenous Peoples issues, and cultural heritage, and tailor risk management and mitigation measures and solutions to support clients in addressing identified issues; • Provide clear technical advice and guidance on social aspects in accordance with the IFC Performance Standards requirements while effectively working with IFC industry teams in project decision-making and proposing practical solutions in light of social risk issues, including clear communication to internal and external stakeholders throughout the investment cycle, determination of social legal conditions for the project legal agreement, public disclosure, etc.;• Provide clear technical advice and guidance on social management aspects in accordance with the IFC Performance Standards requirements while effectively working with the IFC investment teams in processing projects considering social risks, including clear communication to teams and management throughout the investment cycle, determination of social legal conditions for the project legal agreement, public disclosure, etc.;• Proactively monitor portfolio clients that require significant support in social performance and engage with clients to develop a pathway to achieve compliance over time;• Proactively monitor and assist portfolio clients that require enhanced support in social performance and engage with clients to achieve outcomes consistent with the IFC Performance Standards requirements;• Closely work with the E&S Policy and Risk (CES) teams on project reviews and addressing social issues in line with IFC Performance Standards requirements; • Coordinate with the stakeholder grievance response teams (SGR), in responding and tracking project grievances as well as engaging with civil society organizations (CSOs);• Assist in portfolio reviews on selected social risk and social development issues;• Assist in the building capacity of clients on issues related to social risks and impacts, including clients’ monitoring and evaluation of social development activities and outcomes; and,• Support portfolio teams and clients in response to CAO (Compliance Advisor Ombudsman - the independent accountability mechanism for IFC) and Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) requests. • Identify and assess key social risk management aspects existing at the client and market level to unlock future investments and address them early on as part of project development; • Participate in strategic decision making regarding IFC role in upstream and advisory support to enhance social risk management performance, and where relevant, support the development of appropriate solutions; and,• Contribute to the identification of opportunities for advisory engagements that result in greater development impact and value for the client. • Effectively and clearly communicate and manage relations with internal and external stakeholders on technical, institutional and program implementation issues regarding social risk management matters; and, • Support the management and ongoing dialogue with civil society (CSO) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in requesting information, addressing concerns and raising awareness on the IFC Performance Standards. • Participate in the gathering of operational experiences, lessons learned and evolving social management practices and challenges in the Africa region in building the team’s knowledge base; • Contribute to the preparation of management briefs on relevant regional social management issues as needed; and,• Participate in ongoing and emerging corporate initiatives related to social risk management, through participation in the Social Practice Group (IFC’s internal peer network of Social Development Specialists).
Selection Criteria
• Graduate/advanced degree in social sciences, anthropology, sociology or other related relevant discipline;• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience working on social due diligence, social risk management and mitigation, in the international context, with preference for experience in the private sector working across different industry sectors (for example, agribusiness, infrastructure, manufacturing and services, etc.);• Proven track record working in developing and implementing risk management measures in accordance with the social aspects of the IFC Performance Standards, other international financial institutions and/or World Bank Group E&S Policies;• Working experience in emerging markets and a good understanding of the context and dynamics of the Africa region, experience working in fragile and conflict environments is an added advantage;• Willingness to travel regularly in the Africa region;• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic. Additional language skills relevant to the region(s) of interest are advantageous especially French; • Pragmatic, solution-oriented, problem solver with a high degree of responsiveness and proactivity;• Show personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and complex matters in a discreet and respectful manner, and follow a diplomatic approach and be calm under pressure; and,• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
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.
