Senior Social Development Specialist – Risk & ESG Oversight

ImpactAlpha; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive retirement plan

Medical insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid leave, including parental leave

Reasonable accommodations for people \

Disability insurance

Job summary

World Bank Group seeks a seasoned Senior Social Development Specialist to join CROES, providing independent social risk oversight across operations and portfolios with focus on labor, land acquisition and resettlement, stakeholder engagement, and Indigenous Peoples.

The role requires synthesizing complex information, delivering clear guidance to senior management, and mentoring colleagues in a multicultural, multidisciplinary environment. International travel is expected.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Strong knowledge of the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework, IFC Sustainability Framework and Performance Standards, or comparable international standards.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize diverse information and communicate clearly to senior audiences.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent reviews of operations focusing on material social risks, implementation readiness, mitigation measures, monitoring arrangements, and escalation pathways.
• Review comprehensive project documentation including due diligence reports, social assessments, labor management procedures, resettlement instruments, stakeholder engagement plans, Indigenous Peoples instruments, and supervision records.
• Provide technical opinions on labor and working conditions; land acquisition, resettlement, and livelihood restoration; stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanisms; and Indigenous Peoples issues.
• Assess cross-cutting risks affecting vulnerable groups, including exclusion, retaliation, social conflict, and inadequate consultation or benefit sharing.
• Monitor social risk across portfolios and contribute to risk ratings, watch lists, and governance reporting.
• Conduct thematic reviews to identify systemic issues and lessons related to labor, land and resettlement, stakeholder engagement, and Indigenous Peoples.
• Advise on improvements to institutional risk practices and guidance; support CAO/Inspection Panel processes as needed.
• Assess management responses and advise on implications for affected people and project outcomes.
• Provide senior technical advice during management reviews on complex or high-risk operations.
• Contribute to tools, guidance, and knowledge products that strengthen social risk oversight.
• Mentor junior colleagues and collaborate across disciplines, cultures, and regions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Cross-team collaboration

International travel

Emerging markets experience

Education

Master’s degree or higher in social sciences, anthropology, sociology, development studies, law, labor relations, or a related discipline

Job description

World Bank Group seeks a seasoned Senior Social Development Specialist to join CROES, providing independent social risk oversight across operations and portfolios with focus on labor, land acquisition and resettlement, stakeholder engagement, and Indigenous Peoples.

The role requires synthesizing complex information, delivering clear guidance to senior management, and mentoring colleagues in a multicultural, multidisciplinary environment. International travel is expected.