Natural Resources Management Specialist

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.

For more information, visit www.worldbank.org The South Asia Region comprises six countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) that range in size from India (with a population of over 1 billion) to Maldives (with 0.3 million people). The region has experienced a long period of robust economic growth, averaging 6% a year over the past 20 years. It was the second-fastest growing region in the world in the aftermath of the global crisis. This strong growth has translated into declining poverty and impressive improvements in human development.

The percentage of people living below the poverty line fell in South Asia from 56% to 16% between 1981 and 2013. Still, the region remains home to a third of the world’s poorest, with 216 million people living below $1.9/day. The Environment Department (ENV), located within the World Bank’s Planet Practice Group has been established to deliver on the opportunities, benefits and outcomes offered by enhanced management of the environment and natural resources. ENV provides expertise, technical assistance and financing to help countries manage land, sea and freshwater natural resources in a sustainable way to help create jobs, improve livelihoods, enhance ecosystem services, decrease pollution and increase resilience to climate change.

Over 360 ENV staff working across the globe help set developing countries on a clean, green growth trajectory for resilient economies and healthy communities. The SSAE1 unit comprises around 30 staff, with 95 percent based in Country Offices. The rest of the team is based in Washington DC. Our Nepal country office has approximately 50 staff, providing a vibrant, collegial working environment.

The position The Natural Resources Management Specialist will report to Environment Manager for South Asia/SSAE1 based in Singapore. Duties and Responsibilities: Working in close collaboration with the Environmental Coordinator and other colleagues from ENV and other units, the Natural Resources Management Specialist’s responsibilities will be contribute to or lead the design and implementation of operational engagements and analytical products on technical issues on forested landscapes, nature-based tourism, and environmental/pollution management. They will work according to an annual work plan, adjusted periodically as necessary. The Natural Resources Management Specialist’s responsibilities will include the following: Contribute to development and implementation of ENV strategy in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives with a primary focus on issues related to forested landscapes, nature-based tourism and/or environmental management.

This includes issues related to productive forestry and natural resource management, conservation, climate resilience, nature-based tourism and broader environmental/pollution issues. Provide inputs on country and sectoral briefs, policy notes, strategy documents, etc. Lead/contribute to preparation and implementation of Technical Assistance tasks and/or investment programs supported with grant or IDA resources led by ENV, other departments and/or across the WBG. Serve as the focal point for Climate Co-Benefits (CCB) assessments for the country management unit.

Establish close working relationships with key clients, and develop and deliver technical assistance, knowledge and financing solutions that align with their development priorities related to environment and natural resources. Proactively liaise with development partners and seek opportunities to strengthen alignment across lending and technical assistance activities. Support the Unit’s work program outside of Nepal as needed and as will be agreed as part of the work program.