Environmental and Social Specialist, Vienna
Company: The OPEC Fund for International Development
Multilateral Organizations
Date of Issuance: March 23, 2026
Deadline of Applications: April 22, 2026
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Grade: F
Job Category: Professional
Recruitment Status: International / Local
Contract Duration: Two-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.
Strategic focus: Sustainability and Climate Change
Note: The recruitment modality for professional positions (international or local) will be determined in line with the OPEC Fund's policies and procedures, and based on the candidate's nationality and residency status at the time of appointment.
While all nationalities are eligible for this role, nationals from the member countries of the OPEC Fund for International Development are strongly encouraged to apply. The member countries are: Algeria, Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.
Job Profile
The Environmental and Social ("ES") Specialist provides support in the tasks and activities of the Sustainability and Climate Change Unit. The incumbent will assess, monitor and review projects, provide advice to the Unit and Project teams and support the design and/or implementation of appropriate ES instruments, all in accordance with the departmental strategy and framework, in order to ensure compliance with ESG policy and procedures. The climate risk aspects of projects will also be covered by the ES Specialist to the extent possible.
Duties and Responsibilities
Assessment
* Assesses environmental and social risks and impacts associated with OPEC Fund investments (public and private sector) against OPEC Fund's ESG Policy and IFC/World Bank performance standards.
* Supports the design and implementation of appropriate ES instruments such as an environmental and social risk management framework, ESIA, ESMP, ESMS, RPF, and RAP.
* Assists in assessing climate risks, alignment with the Paris Agreement, and aspects related to climate finance (mitigation and adaptation) in projects.
Compliance management
* Defines steps required to ensure compliance with ESG standards, develops recommendations for client actions, and drafts relevant project documentation and TORs.
* Coordinates with the Project Management Unit of the borrower to ensure that the implementation of ES commitments is satisfactorily complied with.
* Supports sectoral and country portfolio reviews to highlight systematic compliance issues in the portfolio.
Data collection & analysis
* Provides inputs or prepares diverse operational products/outputs (e.g., technical reviews, due diligence assessments, case studies, back‑to‑office reports).
* Supervises the environmental and social performance of client companies through review of monitoring reports and site visits to oversee environmental and social aspects of client operations.
* Reviews project details and relevant ES documents during project preparation.
* Provides training on environmental and social issues to OPEC Fund clients, operational staff, and other specialists.
* Participates in knowledge‑management events and forums and disseminates information to team members.
Information and business advice
* Contributes to the procurement of E&S advisors/consultants at the project level and supervises their deliverables.
* Provides advice, input, and comments on projects, policies, and other papers related to sector operations and development across key themes and sectors.
Performs any other related tasks as assigned by the Director to support the effective delivery of the function, department, and OPEC Fund's mandate.
Qualifications and Experience
* Master's degree in environment or natural sciences, humanities, social studies or a closely related field.
* Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in environmental and social due diligence assessments.
* Experience with reputable development finance institutions with strong E&S practices in both private and public sector projects is an added advantage.
* Expertise in identifying, analyzing, and managing environmental and social risks across various sectors and project types.
* Strong understanding of international ESG standards (e.g., IFC Performance Standards, World Bank Environmental and Social Framework, Equator Principles, UN SDGs).
* Ability to evaluate and integrate physical and transition climate risks into project assessments and sustainability planning.
* Skilled in preparing, reviewing, and implementing Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), and similar tools.
* In-depth knowledge of environmental and social laws, regulations, and reporting requirements at both international and national levels, and experience in monitoring for compliance.
* Willingness and ability to travel frequently, sometimes to remote field locations with limited amenities.
* Fluent in English. Good working knowledge of Arabic, French, or Spanish is an added advantage.
* Collaboration and Teamwork – Ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners from diverse backgrounds to achieve shared goals.
* Effective Communication – Ability to articulate ideas and information clearly and persuasively across various channels and audiences.
* Results‑Orientation – Ability to achieve results through proactive ownership, decisive action, and strategic planning.
* Learning Agility and Adaptability – Ability to swiftly learn and adapt to changing circumstances and emerging challenges.
* Stakeholder and Impact Focus – Ability to prioritize and address the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders to achieve sustainable impact.
* Accountability – Ability to take responsibility for one's actions, decisions, and outcomes, demonstrating integrity and reliability.
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