Environmental Program Manager

The World Bank Group is seeking a highly experienced Senior Environmental Specialist to lead and support its operations in Nigeria. As part of the Environment Department, this role will play a critical part in helping clients solve their greatest development challenges.

With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. The successful candidate will be based in Abuja, Nigeria and will work under the supervision of the Practice Manager for SAWE4 based in the WB's Washington Office.

This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on sustainable development in Nigeria. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and supporting a broad and evolving portfolio of lending and policy dialogue in all ENV business lines. This includes provision of high-quality and timely safeguards services across the Bank, including current safeguards policies and the effective implementation of the new Environment and Social Framework (ESF).

The role requires expertise in conducting high-quality analytical work that connects environmental data with national development priorities and economic outcomes. The successful candidate will also provide intellectual leadership and technical expertise on one or more business lines, and contribute to the preparation of country strategy products (SCD, CPFs, PLRs).

• Lead the identification, design and implementation support of natural resource management (NRM) lending programs and projects, including through leading preparation of operational design elements of IPFs and DPFs, with a primary focus on forests, sustainable landscape management, and blue economy programs contributing to climate resilience and the delivery of global public goods (GPGs).
• Lead and support strategic dialogue and with a big emphasis on business development, working across all ENV business lines.
• Provide intellectual leadership and technical expertise on one or more business lines.
• Contribute to and/or lead analytical inputs in support of Assess and advise on policy frameworks, particularly regarding land-use/forestry/fisheries and NRM, including the valuation and payment for ecosystem services and GPGs including the operationalization of the CCDR.
• Support capacity building and knowledge sharing opportunities with and for key partners, through for example the development and delivery of training and knowledge-sharing events in support of the Knowledge Compact.
• Provide and mobilize technical assistance in support of client needs to improve capacity for NRM, from within and outside the Bank's global network.
• Working across sectors, engage with other practices, practice groups and agencies of the WBG to innovate and develop impactful programs in the context of the Evolution Road Map.
• Maintain effective communication and coordination with regional, national, and local partners, including government, civil society, academic/research institutions, the private sector, and bilateral and multilateral development partner agencies.
• Innovation, business development, partnerships, mobilization of finance, and collaboration across institutions will all be key focus areas of this position.
• Represent the Bank in discussions with governments, donors and other stakeholders on Watershed Management, Landscapes, Blue Economy, Climate Change and NRM and Brown/Pollution issues.

• A Master's degree or above in environmental science, natural resources management, environmental management, environmental engineering or another environmental discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of international professional experience in the environment and natural resources management sector, including proven experience in watershed management, integrated landscapes, environment, fisheries, marine and coastal zone management, forestry, dryland development, climate change, and biodiversity.
• Deep knowledge of natural resources sectors, policies, and institutions, including forestry, Sustainable land management, and/or fisheries.
• Proven track record of leading preparation and implementation support with strong operational experience (including being TTL-accredited for IPFs/PforRs, working with DPFs, as well as TF and ASAs), with solid skills in client engagement and a track-record in leading regional/multisectoral work.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-quality policy-relevant analytical tasks linked to country development priorities and economic impacts and translate analytics into policy and operational relevant actions.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate activities involving multiple disciplines and organizational units.
• Demonstrated track record managing a portfolio of large-scale investment projects, is required.
• Having worked as TTL/co-TTL for a CCDR is a plus.
• Ability to identify long-range goals and objectives, develop strategic approaches, and conceptualize multi-year plans to operationalize and implement these strategies using Bank instruments.
• Demonstrated experience in leading strategic engagement and policy dialogue with multidisciplinary teams, and senior-level government, private sector, NGOs, international organizations, and/or development partners.
• Strong results orientation, with ability to follow up multiple work-streams simultaneously working under tight timelines.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions.
• Field experience in project preparation and supervision, working closely with client and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-quality analytical tasks that include environment related data and information, linking those analyses to country development priorities and economic impacts.
• Excellent inter-personal and team leadership skills and ability to easily interact with people of diverse backgrounds and seniority inside and outside the World Bank, including clients and partners.
• Experience working in FCV is required.
• Strong country office experience would be a plus.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently, including to remote, fragile and conflict affected areas, is required.
• Excellent verbal and written English language skills are essential; and French language skills would be highly desired.
• Good team player with experience as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, and proven ability to motivate and lead group efforts, and network effectively across boundaries.

• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Understands policy making process; distills operationally relevant recommendations/lessons for clients.
• Policy Dialogue Skills - Identifies and assesses policy issues and plays an active role in the dialogue with the government and/or other stakeholders.
• Integrative Skills - Working to develop an integrated view across all facets of current sector.
• Environmental Policy, Strategy and Institutions - Familiarity with environmental policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations.
• Environmental Sciences - Depth in at least one area: water; ecosystems; forests; conservation; agriculture concerns, etc.
• Lead and Innovate - Develops innovative solutions.
• Deliver Results for Clients - Proactively addresses clients stated and unstated needs.
• Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries - Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective and willingly receives diverse perspectives.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge - Applies knowledge across WBG to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients.
• Make Smart Decisions - Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward.