The Position – Environmental Specialist

This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya and will focus on environmental and social risk management, including on health and safety in Kenya and Somalia.

This position will focus on implementing the World Bank’s environmental and social risk management policies (including the Safeguard Policies and the Environmental and Social Framework, or ESF) and building national systems and capacity in this regard.  All World Bank-supported investment projects must meet ambitious environmental, social, health and safety standards. SAEM2 is responsible for providing technical support and oversight into all investment projects to meet these obligations.

The Environmental Specialist will have the following key responsibilities:

• Ensure the effective integration of environment, health, and safety into the design, appraisal, and implementation of World Bank-supported projects, in line with the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), WBG EHS guidelines, IFC Performance Standards, and other good international practices.
• Oversee compliance with World Bank Group EHS guidelines, IFC Performance Standards, and other relevant frameworks.
• Guide and support clients and counterparts in preparing project documents, including Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs), Labor management plans (LMP), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs), Project Implementation Manuals (PIMs), and others to meet ESF and operational policy requirements.
• Support timely and accurate disclosure procedures and public consultation for all required environmental assessment and management instruments.
• Provide guidance on specialized plans (e.g., natural resource management, waste management, biodiversity, occupational health and safety, dam safety, international waterways).
• Organize and deliver needs assessments, capacity building, and technical training on environmental, health, and safety risk management for national agencies, local governments, and public/private sector practitioners.
• Collaborate with other World Bank teams to integrate risk management capacity development into sectoral programs.
• Work closely with the unit’s Lead Environmental and Social Specialist and the CMU ESF Coordinator to ensure quality and consistency in safeguards work and risk management across the region.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in environmental/natural sciences or environmental/civil engineering with good technical training in related topics such as OHS, solid waste management, large scale civil engineering, pollution prevention and control, biodiversity and conservation, etc.
• Minimum 5 years of full-time, relevant professional experience in environmental management, including:
• Managing environmental, social, health, and safety risks of large infrastructure, extractive, or industrial projects;
• applying World Bank Group ESF and/or similar global sustainability frameworks including the preparation of environmental safeguard/risk management documents.
• Technical experience in the management of the environmental, social, health and safety risks of large infrastructure projects (e.g., roads, dams, irrigation, power systems, water systems) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated project management and operational skills, including occupational health and safety management and working with contractors with varying capacity.
• Experience in capacity building for environmental, health, and safety risk management is an advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; diplomatic approach and ability to work under pressure.
• Experience working in developing countries, with understanding of institutional/political context and national environmental policy challenges; experience in FCV (Fragile, Conflict, and Violence) countries is beneficial.
• Fluency in English, both oral and written (Required). Fluency in Somali added advantage.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills; ability to synthesize diverse qualitative and quantitative environmental data.
• Willingness to travel extensively, including to remote rural areas.