Senior Environmental Policy Specialist (5748)

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank whose mission is Financing Infrastructure for Tomorrow in Asia and beyond—infrastructure with sustainability at its core. We began operations in Beijing in 2016 and have since grown to 109 approved members worldwide. We are capitalized at USD100 billion and AAA-rated by the major international credit rating agencies. Collaborating with partners, AIIB meets clients’ needs by unlocking new capital and investing in infrastructure that is green, technology-enabled and promotes regional connectivity.

AIIB’s Strategy, Policy and Budget (SPB) Department under the Vice Presidency, Policy and Strategy (VPPS) is responsible for: (i) developing the Bank’s strategic agenda including its Corporate Strategy and monitoring its implementation ; (ii) developing and overseeing compliance with the Bank’s operational policies and procedures for the Bank’s infrastructure investment portfolio (non-treasury), including environmental, social, procurement and financial management; and (iii) managing the Bank’s administrative budget to support the implementation of the annual business plan and strategic agenda. SPB coordinates on environmental and social aspects with the Sustainability and Fiduciary Solutions Department (SFD), which sits under the Vice President Investment Solutions, at various stages of the project cycle. The separation between SPB and SFD ensures functional independence and a system of checks and balances on the assessment of environmental and social risks and impacts.

SPB Policy Assurance and Operational Quality Unit is looking for a dynamic, adaptable, and high performing Senior Environmental Policy Specialist who is familiar with MDBs’ operational instruments. This Senior Specialist is expected to advise the Bank’s operational teams regarding application of AIIB’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) when it comes to environment sustainability including biodiversity aspect, to ensure policy compliance.  This position will play a key role in building knowledge, preparing guidelines, delivering training and contributing to policy development in the Bank.
 

Responsibilities:

The primary responsibilities of the Senior Environmental Policy Specialist will be to support the Unit to: (i) oversee implementation of AIIB’s ESF from Environmental perspective and especially including biodiversity; (ii) lead the project review process from an environmental perspective throughout the project cycle. The successful candidate will work in a team that reviews project documents and provides necessary guidance to improve project quality. Specific duties include but are not limited to: 
•    Provide guidance on the implementation of ESF from environmental perspective in all financing instruments including climate PBF, Results-Based financing. 
•    Lead the environmental review of the AIIB-financed projects throughout the project cycle, reviewing Project Documents and Environmental and Social (ES) documentation at the Concept, Final, Implementation, and Completion stages. 
•    Support the operations teams to enhance project preparation quality and explore measures and actions to address significant environmental risks and impacts identified during the Bank’s Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD). Ultimately, working towards improving the implementation readiness and performance of projects. 
•    Lead the environmental review of project implementation monitoring reports and propose avenues for improvement.
•    Review and provide environmental comments for corporate reviews on operations.
•    Support the operations teams in addressing environmental-related complaints to AIIB’s Project-Affected People’s Mechanism (PPM) and from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). 
•    Identify, collect and disseminate best practices and lessons learned and be a source of information on policy and investment operations that can be shared across the Bank.
 

Requirements:

•    Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in environmental or natural science, engineering, planning or related discipline.
•    Minimum 10 years of relevant working experiences in environmental planning and management in multilateral development banks (MDBs).
•    In-depth knowledge and extensive operational experience in the development and implementation of environmental policies/procedures/processes, and in building client capacity for MDB investment projects.
•    Proven application of professional expertise in planning, management and monitoring of the environmental aspects of infrastructure programs and projects, such as transport, energy, urban development, water, etc.
•    Strong knowledge and practical understanding of environmental aspects related to MDB investment operations, such as pollution prevention, resource conservation, sustainability of land and water use, health and safety of community and workers, etc.
•    In-depth knowledge and extensive operational experience in biodiversity aspects related to MDB investment operations is preferred.
•    Strong knowledge and practical understanding of development projects’ preparation and implementation review. 
•    Experiences leading sector teams carrying out policy dialogues with relevant counterparts and clients in addressing complicated operational challenges.
•    Working experience in AIIB client countries is a plus.
•    A good understanding of AIIB client countries’ institutional context, governance and reform agenda, and experience with infrastructure projects would be a bonus. 
•    Excellent communication skills, oral and written English.
•    Strong interpersonal skills with a proven track record of working both independently and in a team, with an ability to adapt to new situations, work under tight deadlines, and flourish in a multicultural environment.

AIIB is committed to diversity, transparency, and inclusion. We believe our strength comes from having a team with the right diverse skills, experiences and abilities selected through a merit-based competitive process. We actively encourage applications from people from both within and outside AIIB members, regardless of nationality, religion, gender, race, disability, or sexual orientation.

Join in AIIB’s mission to promote sustainable infrastructure investments and to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia and beyond.

Previous experience and qualifications will determine the grade and job title at which successful applicants will enter AIIB.