The advisor’s responsibilities will mainly focus on developing business opportunities in South Asia and EAP regions to enhance benefit sharing with local communities around IFC investments, specifically around management of pertinent socio-economic issues such as local supplier development, water management and community engagement.  The following important cross-cutting themes should be factored into existing and new projects: advancing gender equality, increasing environmental sustainability, helping to strengthen governance institutions and practices, promoting human rights and fostering youth engagement.

The senior sustainability advisor will report to and work with the advisory services Asia program lead based in Washington DC.  His/her main tasks will include, but not limited to, the following:

i)      Portfolio management, project design and implementation of active projects with client companies in the infrastructure, oil, gas and mining sectors in EAP and South Asia.  INR AS focus countries include Mongolia, Indonesia, Myanmar, India, Nepal and Pakistan

ii)    New business development in the infrastructure sector with a particular focus on infrastructure (i.e. power, transport) oil, gas and mining. This will involve building relevant internal networks (EAP and South Asia regional management, investment officers, environmental and social specialists) and continuous engagement with key parties.

iii)   Develop “upstream”, or sector wide, initiatives related to benefit sharing that are aimed at reducing obstacles for and increasing positive impacts of private sector investments in a country/region. To date, the INR AS team has implemented a number of such initiatives in the form of roundtables, dialogue processes, and advisory programs to build relevant capacities, and create better understanding and alignment among various stakeholders on environmental and social sustainability. 

iv)   Knowledge management by capturing lessons from regional projects and developing relevant knowledge products.

The tasks described above will require strong coordination with IFC’s INR advisory services Asia program lead, the results measurement team and local teams assigned to each active project in South Asia and EAP.

IFC INR work is based on (but not limited to) the following toolkits, guides in its work with clients:

§  Strategic community Investment Handbook (www.commdev.org)

§  Financial Valuation Tool (www.fvtool.org)

§  Local Supplier Development Guide (at www.commdev.org)

Scope of Work

The senior sustainability advisor will be accountable for business development and the successful implementation of INR advisory services projects in South Asia and EAP regions.  Specific responsibilities include, but not limited to, the following:

1.     Lead and support project implementation consistent with INR advisory services strategic goals and objectives. Specific tasks will include, but not limited to, the following:

a.      Develop concept notes, implementation plans, budgets and workplans.

b.     Guide the implementation of regional projects, ensuring quality delivery and adjustment as needed.

c.      Regular supervision, including back to office reports and formal project progress reports based on IFC policies and procedures.

d.     Analytical reports and other communications materials that are appropriate for widespread sharing and dissemination.

Specific responsibilities include:

§  `Organize regular meetings and presentations with relevant internal colleagues to ensure INR AS services and value proposition are clear.

§  Participate in selected investment appraisal visits and assessing opportunities for INR AS engagement.

§  Solicit input from IFC environment and social specialists to incorporate project risks and mitigants in the design of new projects as appropriate.

§  Prepare relevant communications materials to support business development efforts.

§  Work with IFC’s partnerships team to identify funding needs and write fundraising initiative notes.

§  Identify strategic partners to leverage expertise and add value to new/portfolio business.

§  Build key relationships and strengthen networks with infrastructure and natural resources companies, government officials, civil society groups, and local service providers in countries with operational projects.

§  Document and share lessons from projects and identify critical areas that deserve management attention and issuing recommendations as appropriate.

2.     Teamwork and knowledge management

a.      Ensure that lessons learned from various INR AS initiatives are used to guide project design and implementation.

b.     Actively manage existing initiatives, collect and share relevant lessons learned internally and externally.

c.      Identify knowledge gaps and develop relevant knowledge products such as discussion papers, issue briefs, toolkits. The development of such knowledge product usually requires working with other partner organizations.

d.     Identifying relevant World Bank teams and other IFC advisory services that could be brought to work collectively on a given project/initiative.

e.      Hire and manage local and international consultants.

f.       Represent IFC at development fora and industry events to enhance collaboration, multi-disciplinary fertilization and knowledge sharing.

3.     Liaise with donors and develop strategic partnerships to support business development efforts and project implementation.

During the course of the assignment and upon request of IFC, the deliverables may be modified to accommodate changes identified as necessary.

Location

The senior sustainability advisor will be based in either Bangkok (Thailand) or Singapore. Other locations can be considered. The position will report to the Manager and Asia lead for INR advisory services based in Washington, D.C. The position will also work closely with local teams assigned to each INR advisory services project in South Asia and EAP.

Level of effort. The selected candidate will perform the required activities from March – December 30, 2017 for a total of 90 working days as follows: FY17 – 50 days (March – June 30, 2017) and FY18 - 40 days (July 1 – December 21, 2017).

Deliverables

·       Marketing and communications materials

·       Project specific concept notes, implementation plans, budgets and workplans.

·       Client specific community investment and benefit sharing plans

·       Strategy document mapping new business develop opportunities in the infrastructure sector in South Asia and EAP for INR AS.  

Selection Criteria & Competencies

Candidates must have a sustained record of achieving high-quality substantive results over an extended period (minimum 10 years).

§  Professional in Economics, Engineering, Law, Statistics, Political Science or other related field;

§  Master’s degree in finance, business, economics, international development, public policy, engineering or related field;

§  Minimum 10 years of combined experience in international institutions/companies and/or government in economic and social development with demonstrated track record in the management of large multi-sectorial projects;

§  A proven track record in designing, implementing, and managing complex operations using innovative approaches, including demonstrated ability to uphold   operational procedures;

§  Proven ability to manage and develop local and international staff, and competencies in interacting with, and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders; including a range of private and public sector partners;

§  Understanding of the infrastructure (i.e. power/renewables, water, transport, plus agriculture and manufacturing also a significant advantage), oil, gas and mining sectors in South Asian and EAP, and their supply chains;

§  Knowledge of SME Development, gender, environmental and youth issues in infrastructure and natural resource sectors especially in South Asia and EAP;

§  Excellent data analytical skills and interpretation;

§  Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and to travel;

§  Strong verbal and written communications skills;

§  Tangible experience in capacity building and training a plus;

§  High level of energy, initiative and flexibility in quickly adjusting to changing work project requirements;

§  Excellent oral and written communication skills, in particular ability to effectively dialogue with and relate to clients and stakeholders; and

§  English and ability to work in one other language in an EAP country.