Summary

This position is located in the Office of Development Policy (ODP) at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and conducts complex environmental and social (E&S) risk assessments for projects which identify, assess, and avoid adverse E&S impacts under consideration for DFC support, across the spectrum of products, including debt finance, insurance, equity finance, or financial intermediaries.

Duties

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As a Senior E&S Risk Specialist, you will:

• Identify, collect, and provide in-depth analysis of relevant data concerning the potential impact of proposed projects on the environment, workers, and communities of the host country.
• Review and assess prospective and active DFC clients and supported projects for their alignment and compliance with DFC's environmental and social requirements, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards and DFC's Environmental and Social Policy and Procedures (ESPP).
• Ensure E&S impacts are appropriately assessed and risks mitigated through review of E&S plans, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare E&S clearances and other assessments, reviews or studies as required.
• Make recommendations to DFC management regarding project eligibility and conditionality on E&S grounds and specify E&S conditions of default to be included in DFC finance, insurance, equity, and investment funds agreements.
• Identify projects requiring additional technical studies as required and prepare the terms of reference for such assessment, using relevant World Bank, IFC, and other internationally recognized and appropriate guidelines.
• Monitor the actual environmental, health, safety, and social impacts of previously approved DFC projects through analysis of investor and third-party monitoring reports, review and tracking of deliverables and through site visits.
• Compare actual E&S impact with original projections and prepare analytical reports outlining findings.
• Demonstrate expertise in synthesizing complex technical E&S issues into succinct and comprehensible summaries appropriate for non-technical audiences.
• Draft portions of reports and briefings to Congress and other external DFC stakeholders on the impact of DFC-assisted projects on the environment and communities.
• Draft E&S sections of Investment Committee and Board papers. Provide clear and effective briefings, written or oral, to DFC staff, DFC management, DFC Investment Committee, and DFC's Board of Directors.
• Draft E&S conditions for inclusion into DFC contractual agreements with its clients.
• Develop and deliver monitoring and diligence trip read out presentations. Support agency lessons learned based on technical knowledge and learnings of E&S matters in presentations, written procedures, guidance, and other tools for ODP, DFC staff, DFC clients, and external stakeholders.

Please Note: This is a Bargaining unit position represented by AFGE, local 1534.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Must submit resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
• Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Within 30 days of your start date, you will be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450)
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance
• This position will require foreign travel to developing countries

Qualifications

Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level). Applicants must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements no later than the closing date of this announcement.

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b).

You may qualify at the GS-14 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirements: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your experience in all of the following:

1. Conducting environmental and social risk assessments (such as, assessment of risks and impacts related to biodiversity, natural and critical habitats, ecosystem services, land acquisition, involuntary resettlement, Indigenous Peoples, cultural heritage, labor and working conditions, community health and safety, stakeholder engagement, and vulnerable or historically marginalized groups) for finance, insurance, equity, investment fund, or financial intermediary projects;
2. Reviewing technical studies, monitoring reports, or management plans to evaluate compliance with international environmental and social standards, such as IFC Performance Standards;
3. Preparing written analyses, clearances, reports, recommendations, briefing materials, or contract conditions that identify risks, compliance gaps, mitigation measures, or corrective actions; and
4. Providing technical guidance or coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to communicate environmental and social issues and support project decisions.

Note: Education is not substitutional at this grade level.

The ideal candidate will have direct experience with land acquisition, involuntary resettlement, Indigenous Peoples, cultural heritage, labor and working conditions, community health and safety, stakeholder engagement, and vulnerable or historically marginalized groups.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

This position is being advertised concurrently with vacancy announcement 26-ODP-DE-[redacted]-BN using Delegated Examining (DE) procedures. If interested, refer to that announcement to determine if you meet DE requirements and can apply to that announcement. NOTE: You must apply separately to each announcement in order to be considered under both.

This announcement may be used to fill similar positions, if additional vacancies occur.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;

2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and

3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.

For more information: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp).

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on appointment authority eligibility requirements:

• Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
• Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
• Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
• Other Special Appointment Authorities
• OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/verify/).

Telework Suitability: The duties of this position are suitable for telework. The selectee may be allowed episodic or emergency telework with supervisor approval and if they meet the eligibility criterion in the 2010 Telework Act.

Stipulations of Employment: Selection may require completion of a 1-year probationary period.

Work Schedule: This position allows for a flexible work schedule.

Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for this position.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.