About the organization
the world bank group is a global partnership of 189 member countries working to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity. with more than 120 offices worldwide the organization works with governments private sector partners and civil society using financing research data and technology to address urgent global development challenges.
regional context eastern and southern africa
the eastern and southern africa region covers 26 countries and is home to diverse cultures economies and natural resources. the region focuses on job creation digital development institutional strengthening human capital investment climate resilience and addressing fragility conflict and violence to promote inclusive and sustainable growth across africa.
unit description
the world bank environmental and social framework launched in 2018 strengthens protections for people and the environment in bank financed projects. the framework emphasizes transparency inclusion public participation accountability and alignment with international standards. the central safeguards unit saem3 manages environmental and social risks across multiple country management units including ethiopia south sudan sudan and eritrea.
position summary
the environmental engineer position is based in addis ababa and supports world bank operations in ethiopia south sudan and sudan. the role focuses on environmental social health and safety risk management and on strengthening national systems and institutional capacity in line with world bank environmental and social policies.
key duties and responsibilities
the environmental engineer will conduct environmental and social due diligence for world bank financed projects including preparation of environmental and social review summaries and environmental and social sections of project appraisal documents. the role includes ensuring effective integration of environment health and safety considerations throughout project design preparation appraisal and implementation.
responsibilities include overseeing compliance with world bank group environmental health and safety guidelines ifc performance standards and other international good practices. the engineer will guide and support clients in preparing environmental and social commitment plans labor management procedures environmental and social impact assessments environmental and social management plans stakeholder engagement plans project implementation manuals and related instruments.
the position also involves supporting disclosure and public consultation processes providing guidance on specialized plans such as biodiversity management waste management occupational health and safety dam safety and international waterways. the engineer will support incident and accident management including root cause analysis corrective actions reporting and confidentiality related to sea and sh risks.
additional duties include delivering capacity building and technical training on environmental health and safety risk management collaborating with other world bank teams and working closely with safeguards coordinators task team leaders procurement and legal teams to ensure consistency and quality across projects.
requirements education
an advanced degree at master’s or phd level in environmental civil chemical or sanitary engineering or related fields with strong technical training in occupational health and safety pollution prevention solid waste management or large scale infrastructure is required.
requirements experience
a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in environmental management is required including managing environmental social health and safety risks of large infrastructure extractive or industrial projects. experience applying the world bank environmental and social framework or similar international safeguard frameworks is essential.
requirements technical skills
strong technical experience in infrastructure projects such as roads dams irrigation power or water systems is highly desirable. demonstrated project management skills experience working with contractors and occupational health and safety management are required. experience in capacity building for environmental health and safety risk management is an advantage.
requirements competencies
strong analytical strategic and communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex environmental data. proven ability to work under pressure in multicultural environments and in developing country contexts. experience in fragile conflict and violence settings is an added advantage. willingness to travel extensively including to remote areas is required.
language requirements
excellent written and spoken proficiency in english is required. proficiency in amharic is an advantage.
work culture and values
the world bank group promotes a culture of urgency accountability collaboration empowerment and thoughtful risk taking to achieve meaningful development impact.
benefits and conditions
the position offers a competitive benefits package including retirement benefits medical life and disability insurance paid leave parental leave and reasonable workplace accommodations.
equal opportunity statement
the world bank group is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer and does not discriminate based on gender gender identity religion race ethnicity disability or sexual orientation.