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Employment Opportunity: Senior Projects Officer "“ Social Responsibility

Employment Opportunity: Senior Projects Officer "“ Social Responsibility

Published 08-01-08

Submitted by International Finance Corporation

- August 1, 2008 -
Job Title: Senior Projects Officer "“ Social Responsibility
Grade: GF/GG
Appointment Type: 2-year Term
Recruitment Type: Co-Term
Location: Headquarters, Washington, DC
Hiring Manager: Monika Weber-Fahr
Hiring Division/Unit: Sustainability Business Innovator Social Responsibility
Department: Environment and Social Development Department
HR Contact: Nadine Chapman

Department Description/Background

As the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries as a way to reduce poverty and improve people's lives. The mission of IFC's Environmental and Social Development Department (CES) is to be IFC's center of excellence and innovation in sustainability, focusing on improving the business performance of IFC and its clients. Further information on CES is available at http://www.ifc.org/enviro.

The Sustainability Business Innovator (SBI), a donor-funded facility under CES, develops and tests business models that engage the private sector in the delivery of environmental and social benefits. It is organized in six teams; covering all areas in which such benefits may emerge, ranging from the use of natural habitats and biodiverse resources, through energy, technology and capital.

The Social Responsibility Team in SBI focuses, among other things, on increasing private sector performance and enterprise competitiveness in global supply chains through improving labor standards compliance.

The Team seeks to add a Senior Projects Officer (SPO) to strengthen its work program in particular in areas involving competitiveness through labor practices (principally through the Better Work Program). The Projects Officer will also contribute largely to developing knowledge products around Better Work services and activities and garnering internal support for the program. Better Work is an innovative partnership with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to improve competitiveness through labor standards in global supply chains in developing countries (for more information see www.betterwork.org).

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of and in collaboration with the Social Responsibility Practice Area Lead, who will coordinate as needed with IFC and ILO, the SPO will engage in the following areas:

New Product/Project Development

  • Improve existing or develop new business models under the product line "Competitiveness through Labor Practices," with a specific focus on the Better Work Program, including its policies, tools and strategies in cooperation with the ILO, IFC and Better Work country activities
  • Actively participate and lead, as required, the process of scoping, and designing new country level activities in collaboration with the Better Work team, ILO and IFC counterparts, and local stakeholders.
  • Engage with global partners and technical partners in the area of labor practices to expand knowledge and networking base with a view to maintain expertise and/or develop new products; liaise closely with the Social Responsibility team, IFC Advisory Services (AS) Regional Facilities, IFC PS2 team, and other IFC internal units (Linkages, Corporate Advice, Biodiversity, etc.).
  • Identify sources of funding (IFC and donor funds) for specific projects and for the Better Work Program.
Portfolio Project Management / Reporting
  • Manage and supervise the labor standards (Better Work) part of the existing portfolio of the Social Responsibility program. Products are developed and managed according to their "maturity" as an innovation, seeking to move them from research/proof of concept, through piloting and prototyping towards a stage at which mainstreaming across the corporation requires mostly monitoring and quality assurance.
  • Provide support for implementation to existing Better Work country level activities as required.
  • Review and produce, as needed, project supervision reports and project completion reports using the IFC iDesk system.
  • Contribute input to ad hoc management reports and briefs on area of responsibility as well as to quarterly and annual donor reports
Peer Reviewing and Quality Control
  • Provide expert reviews and input in new projects developed by the IFC AS Regional Facilities and other units, which are mapped under the Competitiveness through Labor Standards product of Social Responsibility. Ensure that the project structure, the content of the advisory and hired expertise are in line with product quality and coherent with IFC's Environmental and Social Performance Standards.
Knowledge Management and Dissemination
  • Provide high level policy advice and support to Better Work’s partner organizations, ILO and IFC, their local offices and their stakeholders on areas related to program activities.
  • Disseminate information both internally and externally on program activities through publications, the internet, press releases, and lessons learned documents with a view to achieve up-take, replication or mainstreaming, of the new products or models developed.
  • Represent the program at donors’ meetings, international, regional and national fora as required.
  • Engage in active external and internal networking
  • Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of program activities and contribute to the Better Work monitoring and evaluation, and research strategy.
Social Responsibility, SBI and IFC Sustainability Strategy
  • Contribute to the Social responsibility practice area strategy, yearly program planning and monitoring tasks, and overall growth and reputation.
Qualifications / Selection Criteria:

The successful candidate is a determined and perseverant "go-getter", able to work independently and take initiative, yet a strong team player. He/she handles a variety of activities concurrently in a high-pressure environment and delivers consistently. He/she is open-minded, able to work in a multicultural environment and lead and is used to exploring links between fields, disciplines and people which would not usually be related. He/she has the ability to question and challenge colleagues in a constructive manner.

  • Education: Masters Degree in Social Sciences (economics, political science, law) with a focus on international development and/or Business Management degree.
  • Relevant Experience: At least eight years professional experience in the design, management and implementation of relevant development cooperation and technical assistance projects, including at least five years experience working at an international level. Relevant areas include: social dialogue, private sector development, gender equality and gender mainstreaming, labor law and policy administration, corporate social responsibility, enterprise development, and/or labor standards compliance. A proven capacity to liaise and work with governments, unions, employers’ organizations, international organizations, and international buyers in their global supply chains. Experience in the private sector in emerging markets, with strong knowledge management and product development skills.
  • Leadership Experience: Solid track record in managing and motivating cross-cultural teams with proven ability to lead, organize, and delegate. Demonstrated ability to define and resolve problems in a manner that reflects the interests of stakeholders and to provide authoritative policy and technical advice and guidance.
  • Client Relations: Demonstrated ability to handle multi stakeholder relationships and build upon them to deliver targeted project results. Strong client and results orientation as proven by a track record of concrete achievements.
  • Resource Mobilization: Experience mobilizing resources for international development cooperation projects, particularly through bilateral donor agencies and private sector foundations.
  • High level communications skills, both oral and written.
  • Fluency in English required. Excellent command of additional languages a plus.
Other:

The assignment will be for a two year period, with possibility of extension depending on outstanding performance, continuing business need, and availability of funding. The position will be based in Washington, DC.

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International Finance Corporation

International Finance Corporation

The International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is the largest multilateral provider of financing for private enterprise in developing countries. IFC finances private sector investments, mobilizes capital in international financial markets, facilitates trade, helps clients improve social and environmental sustainability, and provides technical assistance and advice to businesses and governments. From its founding in 1956 through FY06, IFC has committed more than $56 billion of its own funds for private sector investments in the developing world and mobilized an additional $25 billion in syndications for 3,531 companies in 140 developing countries. With the support of funding from donors, it has also provided more than $1 billion in technical assistance and advisory services.

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