Environmental Specialist (Programming Officer)

Environmental Specialist (Programming Officer) Job #: req30368 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.
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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 Programming Division a multi-disciplinary technical team of environmental specialists that provides timely assessments of the quality and eligibility of proposals across all focal areas of the GEF, according to guidance of relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA).
Division staff actively participate in MEA related events and supports eligible countries in programming GEF resources to implement their MEA commitments.
The Programming Division Manager oversees the preparation of the GEF Work Programs and associated documents twice a year to be presented to the GEF Council.
The Programming Division furthermore provides country and regional engagement support to political and operational focal points in the upstream development of strategies and priorities for GEF investments to achieve global environmental benefits.
The Programming Division supports GEF Implementing Agencies to align their proposal development with country priorities and strategies to effectively and efficiently align conservation and sustainable development efforts, following the GEF mission and Programmatic Directions.
The Programming Division also supports GEF engagement with the private sector and the blended finance approach.
Technical staff in the Programming Division support efforts across the GEF, particularly in Integrated Programs, Multilateral Environmental Agreement, and Partnerships with civil society, Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
The Division therefore has cross-institutional technical advisory and programming and policy support roles.
The GEF is seeking an expert and experienced environmental specialist to serve as a Programming Officer in the GEF Programming Division.
Duties and Accountabilities The Programming Officer will work in a multi-disciplinary technical team of environmental specialists to support the full scope of Programming Division roles described above, notably providing support for the development of guidance, streamlining process and adoption of tools to enhance the effective and efficient processing of proposals across all focal areas of the GEF, according to guidance of relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA).
S/He will furthermore support Division-wide efforts to engage and build effective partnership with recipient countries per the GEF Country Engagement Strategy, including the provision of information, training and operational support to country focal points, in coordination with the Regional Coordinators and Country Relations Officers.
S/He will support Division-wide analysis, information sharing and knowledge management efforts.
S/He will support the development of robust strategies, monitoring and learning programs consistent with the GEF's knowledge management and learning efforts.
S/He will support the Manager of the Programming Division in the preparation of the GEF Work Programs and associated documents twice a year to be presented to the GEF Council and will regularly support the Manager's work related to GEF-wide strategies and priorities, including policy coherence, streamlining, and integration.
The Programming Officer will report to the Manager of the Programming Division.
Specific duties include the following: • Provide analytical and synthesis support to managing the Programming Division's portfolio of projects, programs, and enabling activities • Provide timely development of information and communications materials for the Division, notably presentations, briefing documents, and analyses for the Manager's timely use in conferences, partner meetings, negotiations and relevant GEF-wide priorities • Support the preparation of the GEF Work Programs, Council documents and other important GEF and Division reports and related analyses • Support the Division team in effective collaboration across Focal Areas, with Integrated Programs, and with Regional Teams • Support Division-wide monitoring, learning and adaptive management • Support internal tools and systems development, particularly workflow and analytical data systems and software • Contribute to the review of GEF programs, projects, and technical guidelines • As directed, contribute to the development of Division strategies, including GEF-9 and later replenishment processes.
• Work on specific topics and tasks, as directed by the Manager of the Programming Division.
Selection Criteria • Master's degree in natural resource management, conservation, sustainable development, or related environmental fields • At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the above fields, • Understanding of principles of design, implementation, safeguarding, and monitoring of environmental projects and programs • Experience in the design and execution of conservation and sustainable development projects is preferred • Experience with developing and implementing GEF projects is desirable • 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 • Experience working in developing countries, particularly in conservation and sustainable development • Strong working knowledge of analytical, programming and workflow software.
Ability to program (code) is desirable • Excellence in written and spoken English is essential.
Knowledge of other UN languages, especially French, Spanish, Portuguese is desirable • Understanding of the GEF's policies, procedures, and operational modalities • Willingness to frequently travel to global, regional and national GEF related events • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills • Ability to work independently and as part of a team • Excellent organizational and time management skills • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills • Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment 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.
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