Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Work Mode: On-site / Local Recruitment
Role Overview
This is a core Environmental and Social (E&S) risk and sustainability safeguards role within the World Bank Group, supporting investment projects across Kenya and the wider East Africa region.
The position sits within the Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) system, which ensures that all funded projects meet strict environmental, health, safety, and social standards. In practical terms, this role acts as a gatekeeper of sustainability risk in development finance, ensuring that infrastructure and public investment projects do not create unmanaged environmental or social harm.
You will be embedded in project teams working across sectors such as infrastructure, energy, transport, water systems, and industrial development. Every project you touch will require structured risk assessment, compliance validation, and stakeholder coordination.
This is not a policy-only or reporting role. It is a hands-on technical safeguards function tied directly to project approval, implementation, and monitoring.
What You Will Do
Your responsibilities span the full project lifecycle:
- Conduct environmental and social risk screening of development projects
- Integrate ESG considerations into project design, appraisal, and implementation
- Review compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF)
- Support preparation and validation of key safeguard instruments such as:
- Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs)
- Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs)
- Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs)
- Labour Management Procedures (LMPs)
- Provide technical guidance to governments and implementing agencies
- Monitor environmental and social performance during project execution
- Support capacity building for national institutions on ESG risk management
- Contribute to grievance redress mechanisms and compliance systems
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams across sectors and countries
- Ensure timely disclosure, consultation, and reporting of safeguard documentation
At a portfolio level, you will help ensure that billions in development financing align with global sustainability and inclusion standards.
Technical Frameworks You Must Work With
This role requires strong working knowledge of:
- World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF)
- World Bank Operational Safeguard Policies
- IFC Performance Standards
- World Bank Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines
- Sector-specific safeguard tools (biodiversity, waste, OHS, etc.)
These frameworks are not optional knowledge. They are the operational backbone of the job.
Who This Role Fits
This role is designed for professionals with 5+ years of experience in:
- Environmental and social risk management
- Large infrastructure project assessment
- Environmental engineering, environmental science, or sustainability governance
- Development finance or public sector advisory
Strong fit if you have worked in:
- Multilateral development institutions
- Engineering or environmental consulting firms
- Government regulatory agencies
- Infrastructure or extractive sector compliance roles
You should be comfortable working with contractors, government stakeholders, and technical teams simultaneously.
Key strengths needed:
- Strong analytical and structured thinking
- Ability to translate technical environmental risks into project decisions
- Stakeholder management across institutional levels
- Field exposure to infrastructure or development projects
Work Context
This role is based in Nairobi under a local recruitment structure. It involves collaboration across the East Africa region and requires periodic engagement with field-level project teams and implementing agencies.
You are essentially operating at the intersection of policy, engineering, and financial governance, ensuring development projects are both impactful and environmentally responsible.
How to Apply
📌 Apply via the World Bank careers portal:
https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/37006
👉 Apply button location: Below the job description on the portal page
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