IFC a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises.
The ESG Sustainability Advice and Solutions Department (CEG) includes approximately 300 staff and consultants, 70 percent of which are deployed across IFC’s regions of operations, and who work to deliver on two themes of the department strategy:
Developing ESG solutions for clients, partnering with industry to manage ESG risks and address common issues;
Leveraging ESG expertise and operational experience in emerging markets to maintain IFC’s leadership in sustainability through ESG standards the Environmental and Social Performance Standards (PSs) and the Corporate Governance (CG) Methodology.
CEG supports IFC’s investment, advisory and upstream departments to manage ESG risks associated with their activities and find solutions to client issues on the basis of our Environmental and Social (E&S) Performance Standards (www.ifc.org/performancestandards) and the Corporate Governance Methodology (www.ifc.org/corporategovernance). CEG works in close collaboration with the E&S Risk and Policy Department (CES), IFC’s investment departments and the Legal Department. CEG further leverages this expertise and operational experience in emerging markets to encourage the effective adoption of these standards by companies and investors across emerging markets. More details can be found at www.ifc.org/sustainability.
CEG is looking for a motivated and detail-oriented senior professional with experience in assessing labor and supply chain risks of IFC direct investment projects across regions and sectors (e.g., in the mining, manufacturing, infrastructure, agribusiness, health, education and tourism, retail and property sectors) and/or investments through financial intermediaries (e.g., banks, private equity, and capital markets investors). This strategic senior resource is being located in Paris to (i) support global and regional client companies that are located in the region; (ii) support IFC’s sustained dialogue with ILO, international unions and civil society organizations on labor and supply chain issues and IFC’s efforts in projecting our thought leadership – by working with think tanks and other regional and global agencies on the nexus of labor and supply chain management and core themes such as climate financing, green infrastructure, gender, etc. and (iii) to fill a global position to support regional and industry teams in business development and with de-risking projects.
The senior level Specialist will provide expert guidance to IFC E&S specialists on labor and working conditions risks and management, including supply chain risks and management, in accordance with IFC Performance Standards. Additional tasks will include portfolio review, staff and consultant training, good practice/lessons learned identification and dissemination, engagement with relevant international organizations, contextual analyses, and trend analysis at a sector level. The Senior E&S Specialist will report (direct report) to CEG’s Chief Environmental Specialist who manages CEG’s global E&S transaction support group and will work closely with CEG Sector Leads and will coordinate with other relevant specialists deployed in the regions, ensuring consistency of approach.
Duties and Accountabilities:
Provide senior specialist support to CEG sector leads, project lead E&S specialists and teams, globally, on assessment of labor and working conditions related issues and risks of proposed investments and advisory projects against the requirements of PS1 and PS2;
Advise on structuring appropriate mitigation measures and contractual requirements to promote client action to address labor risks and impacts in a timely manner;
Support global and regional client companies that are located in the region and work as senior labor specialist on high-risk projects, supporting the Lead E&S Specialist;
Advise CEG regional team leads, E&S specialists and project teams on portfolio monitoring by reviewing client reporting, client’s E&S monitoring reports (and supporting documentation) and performing periodic analysis of IFC’s portfolio. Advise project teams on developing proposed corrective action plans and follow up on associated commitments as relevant;
As needed, participate in calls, conduct desk reviews of material provided by clients and/or IFC specialists (e.g., environmental and social impact assessments and management plans, human resources policies and procedures, labor grievance mechanism, collective bargaining agreements, retrenchment plans, employment contracts, supply chain management systems, etc.), and undertake visits of projects and clients in the context of E&S due diligence and supervision of projects;
Senior review/contribute to internal E&S documentation relevant to management of labor and working conditions of projects to enable IFC’s decision making, attend internal meetings and coordinate with internal stakeholders as required;
Support CEG accountability lead and project teams in developing solutions and responses to CAO and non-CAO cases on labor and working condition issues, advise on relevant communications with other external stakeholders, including civil society organizations and community complainants, follow up on commitments related to complaints response, and contribute to the mainstreaming of the grievance function for IFC on labor and supply chain related issues;
Support IFC’s efforts in projecting our thought leadership – by working with think tanks and other regional and global agencies on the nexus of labor and supply chain management and core themes such as climate financing, green infrastructure, gender, etc.
Lead the identification, development and dissemination of knowledge, lessons learned, international good practices on trends, case studies and good practices and support other research needs in connection with pipeline and portfolio projects, labor and supply chain management, and other relevant issues arising under IFC’s Sustainability Framework and IFC’s E&S procedures.
Contribute to the preparation, update, review of policies and procedures, knowledge products and tools produced for both internal and external consumption, consistent with IFC’s Sustainability Framework;
Develop and implement training and capacity building programs for IFC’s staff and consultants for key themes, including labor review and audits, supply chain risks, labor management, worker’s rights, etc.
Selection Criteria:
Advanced degree in labor law, human resource management, industrial relations or other relevant discipline;
Minimum 12 years of experience globally, directly related to management of labor and working conditions and supply chain aspects including for complex projects in emerging markets, and working with business, civil society and government on issues related to labour rights, human rights and ethics in global supply chains;
Demonstrated experience and in-depth understanding of supply chain issues, including issues around human rights (child and forced labour) as it relates to the PSs and Supply Chain Management requirements of the PSs. Experience in conducting human rights impact assessments a plus.
Demonstrated experience in labor assessments, audits, and industrial relations of private sector companies in agribusiness, infrastructure and manufacturing projects to identify potential risks and issues and advise on mitigation measures and possible pragmatic solutions in accordance with international standards related to labour and working conditions.
Direct experience with the application of IFC PS2 and/or Good International Industry Practices and standards (e.g. International Labour Organisation Conventions) is required;
Track record conducting interviews and face-to-face engagements with workers, workers’ representatives, unions, human resources management, and other relevant stakeholders in emerging markets, and experience globally is required;
Fluency in English is required with ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions. Other language skills, such as Spanish, French or Portuguese, a plus;
Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyse and synthesize diverse information sources, and draw conclusions from sometimes limited data;
Pragmatic, solution-oriented, problem solver with a high degree of responsiveness and proactivity, coupled with the ability to recognize when a solution is not available; and,
