Environmental Specialist (Chemicals and Waste Specialist)

Job #:
req30340
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Environment
Grade:
GF
Term Duration:
2 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
French, Spanish, Arabic, and/or Portuguese: Desirable
Closing Date:
12/2/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank 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. Visit www.worldbank.org.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral family of funds dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, and supporting land and ocean health. Its financing enables developing countries to address complex challenges and work towards international environmental goals. The partnership includes 186 member governments as well as civil society, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth, with a focus on integration and inclusivity. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $25 billion in financing and mobilized over $145 billion for country-driven priority projects.

The GEF Chemicals and Waste Focal Area (CWFA) team addresses global environmental challenges related to hazardous chemicals and waste, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), mercury, and plastic pollution. The CWFA team supports the implementation of several international conventions and agreements, including the Stockholm Convention, the Minamata Convention, the Montreal Protocol and the Global Framework on Chemicals.
The GEF is seeking an expert and experienced environmental specialist to serve as a Chemicals and Waste Specialist in the CWFA team of the GEF Programming Division.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Chemicals and Waste Specialist will work in a multi-disciplinary technical team of environmental specialists to support eligible countries in programming GEF resources to implement their commitments under the above-referenced international conventions and agreements. S/He provide timely review and processing of projects proposals submitted by through GEF-accredited agencies and provide sound upstream guidance to project proponents to foster coherence with GEF programming strategies.

S/He will also work within Regional Teams on functions that require cooperation and collaboration related to the programming of CWFA resources, as well as engagement with clients and stakeholders to ensure that GEF recipient countries to optimize their focal area investments to achieve global environmental benefits.

The Chemicals and Waste Specialist will work under the guidance of the Chemicals and Waste Focal Area Coordinator and will report to the Manager of the Programming Division.

Specific duties include the following:
Strategic Leadership and Portfolio Management
• Support the development and implementation of the GEF’s Chemicals and Waste focal area strategy, ensuring alignment with GEF policies, priorities, and the guidance of the GEF Council.
• Oversee the portfolio’s overall performance, monitoring progress towards achieving the focal area’s objectives and targets.
• Identify emerging environmental challenges and funding opportunities related to chemicals and waste management.

Program and Project Development
• Lead the development and implementation of programs and projects within the Chemicals and Waste focal area.
• Support Chemicals & Waste focal area portfolio development and recipient country support as part an assigned Programming Division Regional Team
• Provide technical guidance and support to GEF Implementing Agencies and countries in the development and execution of projects.
• Oversee project appraisal, approval, and implementation processes, ensuring compliance with GEF policies and procedures.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
• Collaborate with GEF Implementing Agencies, including UN agencies, multilateral development banks, and international organizations, to ensure effective program and project implementation.
• Engage with the secretariats of relevant international conventions and agreements, including the Stockholm Convention, the Minamata Convention, and the Montreal Protocol.
• Coordinate with other GEF focal areas and teams to promote integrated approaches to environmental challenges.
• Represent the GEF in relevant international meetings, conferences, and negotiations related to chemicals and waste management.

Knowledge Management and Learning
• Promote knowledge sharing and learning within the GEF and among its partners on chemicals and waste management.
• Contribute to the development of GEF policies, guidance, and tools related to chemicals and waste.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments and best practices in chemicals and waste management.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in environmental science, engineering, chemistry, or a related field
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in chemicals and waste management, including experience with developing and implementing large GEF projects and with international environmental agreements and conventions
• Demonstrated experience in program and project development, implementation, and monitoring
• Experience in developing countries, particularly in the development and execution of projects in chemicals and waste management and/or related environmental sectors
• Demonstrated ability to effectively engage and develop appropriate and sound relationships with a range of stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, private sector entities, developing country counterparts, and NGOs
• Excellence in written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of other UN languages, especially French, Spanish, Russian and/or Arabic is desirable.
• Understanding of the GEF’s policies, procedures, and operational modalities
• Willingness to frequently travel to global, r