Position Description
Junior Professional Officer
Environment Unit, AFTSD
Africa Region
BACKGROUND
The World Bank recognizes that safeguarding the environment is a strong factor of development and that
sustainable public health, food safety, sociocultural values, economic development and poverty reduction,
will not be ensured unless ecosystem services are protected. The Africa region is presently undertaking a
major structural change and is establishing a department of sustainable development which will represent
the sectors of infrastructure, rural development, social development and environment. A new environment
unit will be created, which will be leading the World Bank environment agenda, policy dialogue and
strategy development with partners and Sub-Sahara African client countries. In this context, further
environmental expertise is needed to support the business plan implementation of the new unit.
DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will play a key role in assisting the teams to manage and coordinate
several projects and programs that support environmental protection and sustainable development in
African client countries. The JPO will contribute to the preparation and implementation of operations in
the unit, by providing active support (technical and reporting) to the task teams at Headquarters in
Washington, D.C., and in client countries. The JPO will be a full member of the team, and is expected to
participate in missions in the Africa region, and to benefit from both the interaction with more senior staff,
and his/her contribution to challenging analytical work.
The JPO will work as an environmental specialist who will contribute to the overall work program of the
unit, in the area of marine and coastal management, including marine biodiversity protection and fisheries,
and whose tasks will include the following:
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Contribute to the development of new Bank operations (especially GEF co-financed), both from
Washington and in field visits to countries, by providing assistance to their preparation by client
countries, and be involved in the supervision and evaluation of projects.
Draft relevant project cycle documentation and provide regular reports from missions.
Undertake research for the development of new operations and analyze data generated either from
surveys or from secondary sources to enhance understanding of linkages between environmental
degradation and poverty.
Supervise environmental performance of specific projects and provide technical advice and support to
clients, especially in the fields of environmental planning, coastal zone management and biodiversity
conservation, to achieve positive sustainable development outcomes.
Mobilize support from donor funded facilities and trust funds.
Provide support to task team leaders using GEF funds with submissions to GEF Council and
Secretariat.
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Contribute to the preparation of the Kenya Coastal Development project and the Red Sea Coast
Environmental Capacity Building Project in Sudan.
Contribute to the supervision of the newly launched Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries project.
Assist supervision of the Namibia Coast Biodiversity Conservation and Management and the Namibia
Integrated Ecosystem Management projects.
Contribute to identification of new fisheries and natural resource management projects in Eastern and
Southern Africa.
SELECTION CRITERIA
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Ph.D. or Master’s degree in development studies or environmental sciences.
At least two years of relevant international development experience.
Previous work experience within a multilateral or an international non-governmental organization
would be highly desirable.
Understanding of Bank operational policies, practices and procedures strongly desirable.
Good understanding of the GEF project cycle and operations.
Appropriate technical background, with particular expertise in one or more of the following areas:
environmental management, biodiversity conservation, community-based natural resources
management, coastal zone management, fisheries and halieutic resources management and poverty
reduction.
Good organizational and research skills.
Ability to work with teams and in an inter-cultural environment, with minimal supervision.
Computer literate (e.g., Microsoft Office) essential.
Fluency in English essential.
Additional language capability in French and/or Portuguese strongly desirable.
Enthusiasm for and commitment to development work.
Willing to travel internationally for regular missions.
Field experience in developing countries desirable.
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