Environmental and Social Specialist

Job Profile:

The Environmental and Social (“ES”) Specialist provides support in the tasks and activities of the Sustainability and Climate Change Unit. The Environmental and Social (“ES”) Specialist will assess, monitor and review projects, provide advice to the Unit and Project teams and support the design and/or implementation of appropriate E&S instruments, all in accordance with the departmental strategy and framework, in order to ensure compliance with ESG policy and procedures. The climate risk aspects of projects will also be covered by the E&S Specialist to the extent possible.This role, within the Sustainability and Climate Change Unit (SCCU) will include environmental and social due diligence of lending programs, both for private and public sector operations. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring compliance of projects with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Policy both at the time of project preparation and implementation. The incumbent supports the Director, SCCU in developing Environmental and Social (ES) due diligence templates, capacity building of staff and enhancement of policy documents.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Assessment

• Assesses the environmental and social risks and impacts associated with OPEC Fund investments (Public and Private Sector) against OPEC Fund’s ESG Policy.  
• Supports the design and/or implementation of appropriate E&S instruments such as an environmental and social risk management framework, ESIA, ESMP, ESMS, RPF, RAP among others.
• Assesses the climate risks and aspects related to climate finance in projects.

Compliance management

•  Defines steps required to ensure compliance with the above standards (ESG Policy et. al.), develops recommendations for client actions and drafts relevant project documentation/TORs. 
•  Coordinates with the Project Management Unit of the Borrower to ensure that the implementation of E&S commitments are complied with satisfactorily.

Data collection & analysis

• Provide inputs to or prepare diverse operational products/outputs (e.g. technical reviews, due diligence assessments, case studies, back to office reports, etc.) if needed.
• Supervises the environmental and social performance of client companies through the review of monitoring reports and site visits to supervise environmental and/or social aspects of clients’ operations.
• Conducts desk reviews of the project details and relevant E&S documents during project preparation. 

Training delivery

• Assists in the training on environmental and social issues to OPEC Fund clients, operational staff and other specialists. 
• Participates in knowledge management events and forums, and disseminates/shares information with the Team Members.

Field visitst:

• The role requires the willingness and ability to travel frequently, sometimes to remote field locations with limited amenities.

Information and business advice

• Contributes to the procurement of Lenders’/project level Environmental & Social Advisors/Consultants and supervises their deliverables.
• Performs any other duty as may be assigned by Director, Sustainability and Climate Change Unit

Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced degree (Masters) in environment or natural sciences/ humanities/social studies. 
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in environmental and social due diligence assessments.
• Experience from reputable development finance institution/s with a strong E&S practice in both Private and Public Sector Projects
• Fluent in English. Good working knowledge of Arabic, French or Spanish is an added advantage.

Competencies

• Subject Matter Knowledge - The in-depth understanding and expertise in specific fields relevant to the OPEC Fund's operations and the individual's role.
• Ability to Work Under Pressure - The capacity to remain composed, focused and productive when facing tight deadlines, high-stakes situations and demanding workloads.
• Collaboration and Teamwork - The ability to effectively work with colleagues, stakeholders and partners to achieve shared goals.
• Communication - The ability to relay ideas, information and messages effectively and succinctly to a variety of audiences.
• Customer Centricity  - The ability to focus on comprehending and addressing customer needs; consistently deliver exceptional service and foster strong, lasting customer relationships. 
• Cross-Cultural Sensitivity - The ability to take into account the variety of the human experience and how it contributes to the workplace and to demonstrate  respect for diverse cultures and viewpoints.
• Decision making - The ability to analyze information comprehensively to make well-informed decisions; assess both immediate and long-term ramifications. 
• Effective Planning and Follow Up - The ability to set clear goals and priorities; skillfully organize tasks for efficiency; consistently follow through on commitments and plans. 
• Problem Solving Ability - The ability to identify issues adeptly, delve into root causes, and devise pragmatic solutions; demonstrate ingenuity and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges. 
• Sense of Responsibility - The ability to demonstrate ownership and accountability in tasks and outcomes; uphold reliability and commitment to fulfilling responsibilities.