Senior Environmental Specialist Job #: req34712 Organization: World Bank Sector: Safeguards Grade: GG Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Dar Es Salaam,Tanzania Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 11/12/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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.ย For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) Region
Home to about 700 million of Africaโs people, Eastern and Southern Africa is a geographically, culturally and economically diverse region of 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South. Children under 18 make up almost half of the total population. The subregion boasts of some of the worldโs richest human and natural resources and, apart from South Africa, the countries are predominantly raw material exporters.
The subregion harbors some of Africaโs protracted conflicts, rendering many of its countries fragile, while significant gaps in education, health, and skills development continue to keep people from reaching their full potential. This creates a huge development challenge, impacts heavily on the lives and livelihoods of people, and hinders regional integration and trade. But it also creates an opportunity to work closely with country leaders, civil society, development partners, and young people to chart a brighter course for the future.ย
The World Bankโs Eastern and Southern Africa Region, comprised of approximately 1,200 staff, mostly based in 26 country offices, has been helping countries realize their considerable development potential by focusing on the following priorities:
โข ย Creating Jobs and Transforming Economies: We are working with countries across Africa to stimulate job creation and economic transformation by leveraging all sources of finance, expertise, and solutions to promote investment.
โข ย Building up the Digital Economy: We are supporting Africaโs vision to ensure that every African individual, business, and government is connected by 2030 โ a vision that, if realized, can boost growth by up to 2 percentage points per year, and reduce poverty by 1 percentage point per year in Sub-Saharan Africa alone.
โข ย Making Institutions more Efficient and Accountable: Our support helps governments strengthen public policy processes, manage resources effectively, and reinforce fair and reliable delivery of public services.
โข ย Investing in People: We are at the forefront of helping African countries accelerate human capital gains and empower women by improving their access to education and skills acquisition, sexual and reproductive health services, and employment opportunities.
โข ย Supporting Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation:ย In the face of increasing climate-related risks, we are working with African countries to advance efforts to adopt renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and green infrastructure.
โข ย Addressing the Drivers of Fragility, Conflict, and Violence: Given the cross-border nature of conflicts in Africa, we are employing an approach that simultaneously focuses on the drivers of fragility while also supporting well-targeted regional initiatives to create opportunities for peace and shared prosperity.
โข ย Building Partnerships and Working across the African Continent: We are scaling up our work on regional integration, taking a holistic view of the continent that covers both North and Sub-Saharan Africa.
โข ย Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/eastern-and-southern-africa
Unit Description
On October 1, 2018, the World Bank launched a new Environment and Social Framework (ESF) to help protect people and the environment in the investment projects that it finances. The effort, now about seven years under implementation, is one of several initiatives, including procurement reform, the gender strategy, and the climate change action plan, undertaken by the Bank to improve development outcomes.
The ESF brings the World Bankโs environmental and social (E&S) protections into closer harmony with those of other development institutions, and makes important advances in areas such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, transparency, non-discrimination, social inclusion, public participation, and accountability โ including expanded roles for grievance redress mechanisms.
As the World Bank Group (WBG) advances with modernizing its ESF approach, a new organizational arrangement has been agreed involving โMakersโ (responsible for preparation, implementation support, and monitoring and problem solving) and โCheckersโ (responsible for monitoring and risk-based oversight, and identifying and flagging challenges and problems that need to be addressed) to ensure a strengthened approach to risk management on E&S matters. The new arrangements also demonstrate a commitment to promoting โOne WBGโ and the key role that the Environmental and Social leadership in IDA/IBRD, IFC and MIGA, will play in this effort.ย
The Eastern Africa Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) Unit (SAEM2) is one of the three units in AFE that manages E&S risks and covers two Country Management Units (CMUs): The Kenya CMU comprising of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Somalia; and the Tanzania CMU comprising of Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Position
The World Bank is seeking a Senior Environmental Specialist to lead environmental and social risk management efforts in the Tanzania CMU. The Senior environmental Specialist will be based in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. The specialist will report directly to the SAEM2 Practice Manager.
Duties & Responsibilities:
โข Ensure the effective integration into the design, appraisal and implementation of WBG-supported projects of environment, health and safety due diligence as defined by the ESF, World Bank Operational Policies on safeguards (for projects that predate the ESF), WBG EHS guidelines, IF Performance Standards and other international good practice documents.
โข Ensure the effective integration of environmental and social due diligence as defined by the ESF and Safeguard Policies into the design, appraisal, and implementation of Bank-financed projects, with a focus on countries in the Tanzania Country Management Unit.
โข Conduct or oversee environmental and social assessments to understand potential impacts, risks, and opportunities for these groups, including those who may have lost collective attachment to ancestral territories due to forced severance, conflict, or resettlement.
โข Provide expert guidance and support for the screening of Bank projects for environmental and social risks, impacts, and vulnerabilities, and identify risk management opportunities including resource efficiency, pollution prevention, labor influx, occupational health and safety, land access and resettlement, indigenous peoplesโ frameworks and plans, vulnerable groups, social dimensions of climate change, sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse, and stakeholder engagement.
โข Guide the borrower/project implementation agency in preparing the necessary project instruments and review them for quality; provide well-written summaries of key ESF/safeguards instruments for inclusion in project documentation; and assist with the Environmental and Social Risk Classifications (ESRCs) and the preparation of the Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs).
โข Participate in project preparation, appraisal, and supervision activities of project implementation, including operational missions and providing inputs related to social performance of projects into the mission Aid Memoirs (AMs), and support the resolution of emerging issues to ensure results on the ground and project implementation progress.
โข Ensure timely reporting on SAEM2 activities, including ESF, proactive monitoring, management, and preparation of relevant environmental and social risk management briefs.
โข Contribute to dialogue on the implementation of the ESF with government officials, development partners, civil society, and other stakeholders, and coordinate the Bank's relations with clients on social development.
โข Participate in portfolio reviews on environmental and social sustainability and ESHS risk management as required.
โข Make recommendations on strategies and policy options for counterparts in local and central government agencies.
โข Maintain active engagement with a broad range of key stakeholders, identifying potential partnerships and new opportunities for engagement around environmental and social development
โข Work as an active member of the Country Office and Country Team/Unit.
โข Support and mentor more junior staff in handling complex technical, institutional, and program implementation issues regarding environmental and social risk management.ย
Selection Criteria
โข Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in environment engineering, science, management, natural resources, or other relevant disciplines.
โข Minimum of 8 years at the country and project level as an environmental professional, including in the fields of environmental risk / impact assessment and management, occupational and community health and safety, pollution prevention and control, biodiversity and natural habitats, and cultural heritage protection. Experience in social aspects, such as management of social risks, land acquisition and resettlement, grievance redress mechanisms, stakeholder engagement is a requirement.
โข Knowledge and demonstrated competence in operationalizing the global sustainability frameworks of International Finance Institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bankโs Environmental and Social Framework, IFCโs Environmental and Social Performance Standards, and standards of other Development Partners.
โข Knowledge of Tanzanian regulations and permitting processes related to environmental and social risk management.
โข Familiarity with preparation and implementation of environmental and social instruments such as Biodiversity Management Plans (BMPs), Waste Management Plans (WMPs), Noise Management Plans (NMPs), Vulnerable Groups Planning Frameworks (VGPF), Vulnerable Groups Management Plans (VGMPs), and Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEP).
โข Strong analytical skills to assess institutional capacity and design/review practical arrangements for implementing complex projects, particularly in Tanzania.
โข Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and negotiation skills, including the ability to conduct participatory consultations and capacity building.
โข Demonstrated ability to engage with government agencies, provide policy advice, and lead stakeholder consultations.
โข Proven record of working in multidisciplinary teams and managing complex assignments.
โข Excellent communication and writing skills in English. Knowledge of Kiswahili is a plus.
Professional traits and willingness
โข Demonstrated experience in managing teams, mentorship, interpersonal communication, problem solving, and change management.
โข Excellent problem-solving skills, and ability to think innovatively and strategically to find solutions to complex development problems.
โข Readiness for frequent travel within Country duty station and the AFE region.
โข Proven ability to work in and actively contribute to teams and champion a positive team dynamic.
โข Experience working in a multicultural setting
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 theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.