Manager - E&S Risk Management

Job #:
req38387

Organization:
World Bank Group

Sector:
Risk

Grade:
GH

Term Duration:
Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP)

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
10/5/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

The WBG Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Vice Presidency is the core unit responsible for Group-wide institutional risk oversight, including establishment and monitoring adherence to risk policies and guidelines and risk assessment and reporting to the Board and executive management. Its mission is to enable and support the WBG to achieve its goals in a financially sustainable manner. The VPU assists management with identifying and managing Group-wide cross-cutting risks, enhancing risk response decisions, reducing financial and operational surprises and losses, seizing opportunities and improving deployment of capital. The WBG CRO Vice Presidency includes the IBRD/IDA, IFC, and MIGA risk teams and covers a wide range of financial and non-financial risks.

To enhance accountability and credibility, the World Bank Group (WBG) has established an independent second line of environmental and social (E&S) risk oversight within its Chief Risk Officer (CRO) function. While operational teams at the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA are responsible for designing and implementing projects in accordance with E&S policies, the newly formed E&S Risk Department-led by the WBG Global Director for Environment and Social Risk-oversees, monitors, and evaluates E&S risk and performance. The department is currently seeking a Manager to lead its E&S Risk Management unit.

Duties and Accountabilities:

Overview: Under the supervision, direction and guidance of the WBG Global Director for Environment and Social Risk, the Manager is responsible for executing risk management functions to fulfill the department's mandate. This role includes both strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure the effective management of environmental and social (E&S) risks in World Bank Group (WBG) operations.

1.Team Leadership and Management: The Manager will lead the E&S Risk Management team, oversee specialists and manage all aspects related to team performance, including budget allocation, staffing decisions, and work planning. S/he will also supervise a group of E&S staff, providing guidance and support in performance evaluations, onboarding, training, professional development, and handling various administrative tasks.

2.Oversight of Environmental and Social Risk Management: Key responsibilities include the overall oversight and management of E&S risks across the WBG project portfolio through the Integrated Risk Information System. S/he will intervene and collaborate with regional E&S teams to address complex and high-risk situations in portfolio projects, with the goal of improving E&S performance. The manager will work with specialists a) to identify systemic issues (through periodic portfolio reviews), b) designing and supporting corrective actions in collaboration with regional teams and ensuring transparency throughout the project lifecycle.

3.Stakeholder Engagement and Accountability: The Manager will be lead, oversee and support the regional teams in management of direct complaints and overseeing cases handled by the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and the Inspection Panel (IP). The Manager will be responsible for the clearance of management responses and actions for direct complaints. The Manager will support the WBG E&S Director in clearing and approving responses to CAO and Inspection Panel compliance cases.

4.Strategic Leadership and Policy Alignment: Working in collaboration with E&S Risk Officers, the Manager provides strategic leadership and guidance to ensure effective social and environmental risk management in line with WBG policies and E&S review procedures. This will include (but not be limited to) a) assigning appropriate E&S risk and performance ratings; b) providing clearance at defined administrative touchpoints during the project lifecycle; c) working closely with regional teams on complaints and complex projects; and d) coordination with WBG's global policy unit to maintain consistent E&S standards and supporting their application through WBG operations.

5.Support for High-Risk and Complex Projects: For high-risk or complex projects, the Manager, in collaboration with regional E&S managers guides regional project teams in applying WBG policies and procedures and standards, ensuring ongoing compliance with E&S risk requirements. Internally, S/he will assign and collaborate with E&S special operations and response teams to address issues in complex cases and high-risk projects, working proactively with regional teams to improve E&S performance.

6.Portfolio Risk Management and Representation: The Manager works closely with regional E&S teams to manage E&S risks for WBG operations, identify systemic and emerging portfolio risks, and support risk reviews and the implementation of corrective actions. Additionally, the Manager represents the WBG to maintain its leadership position in environmental and social risk management and assures stakeholders that WBG projects adhere to environmental and social responsibility standards.

Selection Criteria

1. Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in environmental science or a related field is required. At least 12 years of international experience in the public sector, private sector, and multilateral development finance, with a focus on environmental and social management.

2. Experience managing environmental or social risks, with significant involvement in E&S issues for complex, multi-stakeholder projects across various sectors and regions.

3. Experience in development activities aligned with the mission, strategy, and values of World Bank Group E&S Policies and Standards.

4. Leadership and people management experience in large, diverse, and technical organizational settings.

5. Ability to provide intellectual leadership, support talent development, motivate teams across locations, mentor colleagues, and promote new organizational practices.

6. Knowledge of WBG markets, including FCS and IDA countries.

7. Proficiency in written, verbal, and public speaking skills, with the capacity to represent WBG in global and regional ESG forums.

8. Experience representing WBG to external clients, government authorities, stakeholders, and critics.

9. Willingness to travel as needed.

10. Compliance with World Bank Group managerial selection criteria, such as effective team leadership, cross-functional influence, openness to innovation, and commitment to developing emerging talent.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

WBG Five Managerial Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.