Overview
The Social Development Specialist will provide ESF/safeguards support to project preparation and implementation for the World Bank’s Pacific portfolio in Solomon Islands. The role ensures projects meet Environmental & Social standards and reflect good practice in social risk management.
Tasks Summary
- Advise clients on social risk management in World Bank-financed projects.
- Prepare inputs for internal project documents (ESRSs, PCNs, PADs, ISRs, MTRs, ICRs).
- Review and advise on client-developed terms of reference and deliverables for social assessments and risk management instruments (RPs, EMDPs, LMPs, SEPs).
- Focus on social risk areas including involuntary resettlement, impacts on ethnic minorities, labor conditions, stakeholder engagement, gender-based violence, discrimination, and exclusion.
- Participate in portfolio reviews and briefings on social risk management.
- Support capacity building for colleagues and counterparts on Social Impact Assessment and stakeholder engagement.
- Contribute to analytical and advisory tasks on gender and social inclusion, and the policy environment for social inclusion and risk management.
- Undertake other assignments as required.
Experience Requirements
- Minimum of five (5) years’ demonstrated skills and experience in the management of social risks (social impact assessment, resettlement, labor and working conditions, gender based violence, stakeholder engagement, community liaisons, discrimination and exclusion etc.) in investment projects is preferred.
- Demonstrated skills and experience (operational or applied research) with at least one or more of the following topics: community development, gender, social inclusion, and social dimensions of climate change.
- Working knowledge of World Bank’s (or other International Finance Institution’s) operations, particularly the ESF and social safeguard policies on involuntary resettlement and Indigenous peoples.
- Demonstrated analytical capacity, through written work and dialogue, knowledge of social issues, including social assessment and consultation/participation methodologies, working with vulnerable groups.
- Proven capacity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, development agencies, government counterparts, community groups/project affected persons, and civil society organizations.
Qualification Requirements
• Master's degree in relevant social sciences (e.g., Sociology, Anthropology, Geography, Development Studies, Political Science, etc.)
