The World Bank seeks a Senior Social Development Specialist to lead Social Risk Management Efforts in Kenya and Somalia: Vacancy Closes on May 15, 2025

Senior Social Development Specialist

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Sustainable Development
Term Duration: 3 years
Application Deadline: May 15, 2025 (11:59 PM UTC)

About the Organization

The World Bank Group is a global leader in funding and knowledge sharing for developing countries, aiming to end extreme poverty and foster shared prosperity.

With 189 member countries and a network of over 120 offices worldwide, the World Bank collaborates with public and private sector partners, driving groundbreaking projects and leveraging data, research, and technology to address global development challenges.

The Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) region encompasses 11 countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, representing a diverse and populous area facing significant development challenges but also offering immense opportunities for progress.

For more information about the World Bank Group’s mission and work in the AFE region, visit World Bank – Eastern and Southern Africa.

Planet Practice Group and Social Sustainability & Inclusion Global Practice (SSI GP)

The World Bank’s Planet Practice Group emphasizes sustainable and inclusive growth. Within this group, the Social Sustainability and Inclusion Global Practice (SSI GP) addresses social challenges such as fragility, climate change, exclusion, and the impacts of the digital age. The SSI GP supports citizen engagement, builds resilience, and empowers marginalized groups, focusing on inclusive solutions and ensuring that Bank-assisted projects meet social sustainability standards.

The East Africa Unit (SAES2) within SSI supports social development operations across East Africa, including Kenya and Somalia, focusing on the application of the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), stakeholder engagement, social accountability, and resilience in Bank-financed projects.

Position Overview

The World Bank is seeking a Senior Social Development Specialist to lead social risk management efforts in Kenya and Somalia. This role involves enhancing country systems for managing social and environmental risks, promoting social inclusion, and ensuring that Bank-financed projects contribute positively to local communities.

Based in Nairobi, the Specialist will work closely with the Country Management Unit (CMU) and task teams, offering technical support and ensuring the application of social and environmental standards across the project cycle.

Key Responsibilities

1. Social Risk Management & Advisory
   • Advise task teams and clients on the Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), particularly in managing social risks such as land acquisition, resettlement, stakeholder engagement, grievance redress mechanisms, and Indigenous Peoples (IPs).
   • Provide technical and operational support to ensure projects adhere to ESF standards, including preparing relevant documentation like Environmental and Social Risks Review Summaries (ESRS) and Project Appraisal Documents.
2. Social Inclusion & Empowerment
   • Promote social inclusion throughout project design and implementation, ensuring that marginalized groups are considered, and the Bank’s social standards are met.
   • Lead policy dialogues on social sustainability with governments and other stakeholders, focusing on vulnerable populations, including women, Indigenous Peoples, and communities affected by climate change.
3. Stakeholder Engagement & Grievance Mechanisms
   • Ensure the effective implementation of stakeholder engagement plans (SEP), grievance redress mechanisms (GRM), and Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) in projects.
   • Support the integration of gender mainstreaming and the prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) in project designs.
4. Capacity Building & Policy Dialogue
   • Mentor and coach other social specialists and short-term consultants, helping build local capacity for managing social risks and implementing the Bank’s ESF in client countries.
   • Contribute to policy dialogue on social sustainability with governments, civil society, and development partners.
5. Operational Engagement & Project Implementation
   • Support project preparation, appraisal, and supervision, providing input on social aspects during operational missions and ensuring effective project implementation.
   • Monitor the progress of social risk management activities and report on the social performance of projects.
6. Analytical Work & Research
   • Contribute to Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCDs), Country Partnership Frameworks (CPFs), and other policy studies related to social sustainability, gender, land tenure, and social development.
   • Lead or contribute to analytical advisory activities on social issues, including governance, service delivery, and social dimensions of climate change.

Selection Criteria

• Education: Master’s degree in social sciences, Development Studies, Social Anthropology, Sociology, Gender and Development, International Development, or related fields.
• Experience: A minimum of 8 years of professional experience managing social and environmental risks in infrastructure projects, with expertise in sectors such as energy, water, transport, and agriculture in Eastern and Southern Africa or Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Knowledge: Proven expertise in operationalizing sustainability frameworks (e.g., the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework, IFC’s Environmental and Social Performance Standards).
• Skills: Strong technical knowledge in land acquisition, involuntary resettlement, stakeholder engagement, gender-based violence risk assessment, and community health and safety.
• Language: Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in Kiswahili or other local languages is a plus.
• Experience in Fragile and Conflict-affected Areas (FCV) is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment, prioritize tasks, and manage complex situations.
• Strong problem-solving skills, ability to innovate and provide solutions to complex social and environmental challenges.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentorship skills, with a commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
• Travel: Willingness to travel frequently within the duty station and region.

Why Work at the World Bank?

Joining the World Bank provides an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to global development, tackle pressing challenges in social sustainability, and help create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all. The World Bank Group offers competitive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave, with a commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.

Apply Now

To apply for this position, visit the World Bank Jobs Portal. The application deadline is May 15, 2025.

The Senior Social Development Specialist role at the World Bank is an exciting opportunity for professionals committed to social development and sustainable growth.

By managing social risks and promoting inclusion in development projects, you will play a crucial role in shaping a better future for East Africa’s communities.

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