(Senior) Social Development Specialist

World Bank Group; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

World Bank Group in Washington, DC is seeking a Senior Social Development Specialist to provide independent social risk oversight across operations. You will assess labor and working conditions, land acquisition and resettlement, stakeholder engagement, and Indigenous Peoples considerations, guiding mitigation and governance.

The role requires deep technical judgment, strong analytical skills, and ability to communicate with senior management.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in social sciences, anthropology, sociology, development studies, law, labor relations, or a related discipline.
• 8–10 years of relevant professional experience in social risk management.
• Experience with complex operations in emerging markets and developing economies.
• Strong knowledge of World Bank Environmental and Social Framework or comparable standards.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent reviews of operations focusing on social risks, implementation readiness, mitigation measures, monitoring arrangements, and escalation pathways.
• Review project documentation including due diligence reports, social assessments, labor management, resettlement instruments, stakeholder plans, Indigenous Peoples instruments and governance materials.
• Provide expert opinions on labor and working conditions; land acquisition, resettlement and livelihood restoration; stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanisms; and Indigenous Peoples.
• Monitor social risk and performance across portfolios and contribute to risk ratings, watch lists, and dashboards.
• Mentor junior colleagues and collaborate across disciplines, regions, and cultures.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Written and verbal communication

Influence and collaboration

Mentoring juniors

Multicultural teamwork

Education

Master's degree or higher in social sciences or related field

Job description

(Senior) Social Development Specialist

Job #: req38789

Organization: World Bank Group

Sector: Risk

Grade: GG

Term Duration: Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP)

Recruitment Type: International Recruitment

Location: Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date: 11/3/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

At the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

VPU Context:

The WBG Chief Risk Officer (CRO) Vice Presidency is the core unit responsible for Group-wide institutional risk oversight, including establishment and monitoring adherence to risk policies and guidelines and risk assessment and reporting to the Board and executive management. Its mission is to enable and support the WBG to achieve its goals in a financially sustainable manner. The VPU assists management with identifying and managing Group-wide cross-cutting risks, enhancing risk response decisions, reducing financial and operational surprises and losses, seizing opportunities and improving deployment of capital. The WBG CRO Vice Presidency includes the IBRD/IDA, IFC, and MIGA risk teams and covers a wide range of financial and non-financial risks.

Unit Context:

CROES seeks a seasoned, dynamic, and motivated Senior Social Specialist with strong technical judgment and substantial experience in social risk management. The selected candidate will support independent second-line oversight of operations and portfolios across the World Bank Group, with balanced thematic coverage of labor and working conditions; land acquisition, resettlement and livelihood restoration; stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanisms; and Indigenous Peoples. The role will identify project-level and systemic social risks, assess the adequacy of mitigation and implementation arrangements, and provide clear advice to CROES management and senior decision-makers.

Duties and accountabilities:

Independent Social Risk Oversight

• Conduct independent reviews of operations across the WBG, focusing on material social risks, implementation readiness, mitigation measures, monitoring arrangements, and escalation pathways.
• Review project documentation, including due diligence reports, social assessments, labor management procedures, resettlement instruments, stakeholder engagement plans, Indigenous Peoples instruments, legal provisions, Board materials, supervision records, and management responses.
• Provide qualified technical opinions on labor and working conditions; land acquisition, restrictions on land use, resettlement and livelihood restoration; stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanisms; and Indigenous Peoples.
• Assess cross-cutting risks affecting vulnerable or disadvantaged groups, including risks of exclusion, retaliation, social conflict, and inadequate consultation or benefit sharing.

Portfolio Monitoring and Analytics

• Monitor social risk and performance across portfolios, sectors, regions, and institutions, and contribute to risk ratings, watch lists, management reporting, and integrated risk dashboards.
• Conduct thematic reviews to identify systemic issues, recurring implementation gaps, emerging risks, and lessons related to labor, land and resettlement, stakeholder engagement, and Indigenous Peoples.
• Analyze significant risk events and recommend improvements to institutional risk practices, guidance, and oversight approaches.

Complaints and Risk Response

• Support oversight of projects subject to CAO or Inspection Panel processes, direct complaints, significant disputes, or public controversy.
• Assess the adequacy of management responses and advise on implications for affected people, project implementation, development outcomes, and WBG reputation.

Technical Leadership and Knowledge

• Provide senior technical advice during management reviews and discussions on complex or high-risk operations.
• Contribute to tools, guidance, training, and knowledge products that strengthen consistent and evidence-based social risk oversight.
• Mentor junior colleagues and collaborate effectively across disciplines, institutions, regions, and cultures.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree or higher in social sciences, anthropology, sociology, development studies, law, labor relations, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 to 10 years of relevant professional experience in social risk management, including experience with complex operations in emerging markets and developing economies.
• Demonstrated depth in at least two of the four core thematic areas, with strong working knowledge across all four: labor; land acquisition and resettlement; stakeholder engagement; and Indigenous Peoples.
• Proven experience assessing and managing social risks in infrastructure, extractives, manufacturing, agribusiness, services, financial intermediaries, or other relevant sectors.
• Strong knowledge of the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework, IFC Sustainability Framework and Performance Standards, or comparable international standards.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to synthesize incomplete or diverse information and identify project-level and systemic risks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex social risk issues clearly and concisely to senior audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to influence constructively, work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, and manage sensitive matters with integrity and discretion.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines and undertake international travel. Experience in fragile and conflict-affected situations is desirable.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

WBG Culture Attributes:

• Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
• Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

WBG Five ManagerialCompetencies Includeonly for managerial positions

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.