Terms of Reference – Short Term Consultant, ESG, South Asia

Background
International Finance Corporation (IFC) - a member of the World Bank Group - is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed US$43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Department helps 1) set ESG Standards 2) advance sustainable solutions 3) provide ESG advisory services to address private sector challenges on ESG. IFC’s dedicated team help clients understand and manage the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) risks they face. We partner with industry and other stakeholders to find innovative solutions that open up opportunities for economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable private investment — which, in turn, contribute to jobs and inclusive growth. IFC’s ESG policies, guidelines, and tools are widely adopted as market standards and embedded in operational policies by corporations, investors, financial intermediaries, stock exchanges, regulators, and countries. https://www.ifc.org/en/what-we-do/sectorexpertise/sustainability

This helps emerging markets raise their ESG standards and level the playing field. ESG advisory efforts guide clients towards good ESG international industry practices, develop market-level demand and capacity, and advise regulators on developing sustainable codes, regulations, and guidance.

Project Objectives: The overall project objective is to improve Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance in the financial and real sectors through early identification of ESG risks, capacity building to manage these risks, and making full use of ESG-related investment opportunities, thereby promoting resource allocation to well-governed, and sustainable projects in high-risk sectors. Therefore, the project will contribute to de-risking key sectors, improving the sustainability of Bangladeshi and Nepali companies, and unlocking and creating new market opportunities for foreign investors including IFC.

The project aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. Strengthened ESG regulatory and reporting framework, by developing a regulatory framework for Sustainable Bonds, support revision/update of the CG/ESG code by working closely with key regulators.
   
2. Improved capacity of local market intermediaries to provide training and advisory programs on ESG issues, standards and best practices
   
3. Improve ESG due diligence standards and corporate governance practices among Financial Institutions including building Environmental, & Social, Management, Systems (ESMS) integrating ESG into their credit policies/procedures, and improving their on-lending and investment capacity to highrisk sectors to facilitate capital allocation to companies with strong governance & sustainability performance.
   
4. Improve ESG performance among real sector clients and key priority sectors in Nepal and Bangladesh such as financial, renewable energy, value-added manufacturing and agribusiness to address significant bottlenecks to investment and improve the ESG performance of portfolio companies.

IFC is recruiting for ESG Program Consultant (STC) based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with experience in development, corporate law, policy, finance, management consulting focusing on ESG, sustainable finance, corporate governance, corporate law, E&S, climate action, gender and/or private sector development to support IFC’s Bangladesh and Nepal ESG projects specifically but may be called upon to support other ESG Advisory work in the Asia Pacific region. The Consultant will report to ESG Project Lead, South Asia (SA).

Responsibilities
The role will focus on delivering activities to meet project objectives stated above working closely with the project leader and ESG teams, in close collaboration with other IFC industry team members to support business development, delivery of advisory services to clients, knowledge management, communications, and research. In addition, the ESG Consultant will serve as a resource on technical issues to help primarily implement IFC’s ESG program in Bangladesh more specifically but may be called upon to support ESG Advisory work in Asia Pacific.

Specific duties and accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

Project management and reporting (70%):

• Rigorous coordination with clients, partners, experts, and trainers to ensure project implementation and completion.
  Oversee/manage all admin and logistics associated with all project events/sessions/ workshops (invitations, follow up, ensuring participation of companies and experts, event registration, event evaluations).
  
• Support research, analysis, preparation of content, presentation and participants/meeting management for all project events/sessions/ workshops.
  
• Draft communication materials and coordinate with relevant colleagues/partners for internal and external communications.
  
• Support data collection (surveys, interviews, focus group discussions), data analysis and reporting of project-related information as relevant for monitoring and evaluation.
  
• Assist in drafting IFC supervision reports and other internal reporting as required. Ensure proper capture and maintenance of related evidence. Contribute to evaluation and impact assessment activities as needed.
  
• Monitor, measure, and report on project results (outputs, outcomes, impact), using IFC reporting systems and track performance indicators against targets.
  
• Support drafting reports required by clients and partners.
  
• Arrange and coordinate meetings and provide support to visiting local and international consultants and staff.

Client Delivery (20%):

• Support three or more private sector client engagements focused on ESG advisory, including
  – data collection (surveys, interviews, focus groups), data analysis, providing recommendations, action plan, implementation support as necessary and managing client relationships.
  
• Collaborate with IFC colleagues as required (including client relationship managers, project/country teams, global specialists, and the results measurement team).

Business Development (10%):

• Support and build new business with clients on ESG advisory and manage client, and internal and external relationships.
  
• Support research, analysis, preparation of content and presentation for business development.

Selection Criteria
The candidate should be a professional with 4-8 years of experience in ESG, policy and/or management consulting, with a focus on corporate governance, sustainable finance, climate governance and/or private sector development. S/he should have some experience in client management and project execution and delivery.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in business, economics, development, finance, management accounting, corporate law, or any other relevant discipline, a minimum of 4 years of professional experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
• Work experience in Bangladesh and/or South Asia.
  
• Demonstrated understanding of ESG it’s challenges and opportunities in the context of Bangladesh and/or South Asia.
  
• Demonstrated understanding of ESG Standards: IFC Performance Standards and Corporate Governance Methodology.
  
• Strong networks and existing relationships within the private sector, including clients, business service providers, technical experts, professionals, and others, in Bangladesh is a distinct advantage.
  
• Experience working with WBG systems and/or projects is a distinct advantage.
  
• Experience of working with national and international development organizations to support projects is an added advantage.
  
• Strong research and/or analytical ability to deliver and execute project.
  
• Strong project management experience, ability to manage multiple deliverables simultaneously and handle complex administrative procedures.
  
• Ability to work effectively under time pressure with high capacity to produce quality work.
  
• Demonstrated assertiveness and confidence to be able to manage clients/partners/other stakeholders.
  
• Excellent communication skills, in Bangla and English - with the ability to articulate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions, and strong writing and reporting skills.
  
• Excellent event and/or people management skills.
  
• Highly collaborative, curious, innovative, and entrepreneurial while flexibly able to adapt to working in a large development finance institution.

Terms & Conditions

• The appointment will be for a provisional period of 1 month from June 1 – June 30 (20 working days, ending June 30, 2024).
  
• The contract is renewable up to 150 days for FY25 (July 2024 – June 2025), subject to business need and performance.
  
• The position is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and may require travel.

How to Apply
Please send your resume (not more than 4 pages) and a brief cover letter (not more than 2 pages) with the subject line “Application: ESG Consultant, South Asia”. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2024.

Please send your resume to Jesmine Ara at jara@ifc.org, with the subject line “Application: ESG Consultant, South Asia”.

IFC values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.