STC: Environmental Specialist - Nature Finance

NOTE: only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

1. Context Established in 1944, the World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. In fiscal year 2025, the WBG committed over $118.5 billion in loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees to its members and private businesses, of which $39.9 billion was concessional finance to its poorest members. It is governed by 188‑member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with nearly 20,100 staff located globally. The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

A recently established WBG Knowledge Bank brings together the World Bank (IBRD/IDA) and IFC into a single WBG knowledge system that delivers integrated solutions to our clients at scale. The Planet Vertical within the WBG’s Knowledge Bank consists of Agriculture, Climate, Environment, and Water practices, and aims to promote sustainable management of natural resources, including water and forests, to secure climate resilience on a livable planet for future, more productive generations.

On the IBRD/IDA side, the Environment practice (ENV) currently has over 130 operations representing more than $13 billion in active investments in environment, natural resources, and the ocean. ENV provides expertise, technical assistance, and financing to help countries steward natural resources in a sustainable way, in line with the WBG mission to end extreme poverty and boost prosperity on a livable planet.

The WBG ENV Global Department is composed of a multidisciplinary team based in Washington, DC and covers Policy & Regulations and Solutions & Impact work streams. It is primarily responsible for:

• Designing and leading global programs whose implementation at the country level is carried out by World Bank (IBRD/IDA) and IFC regional units, including ensuring alignment with key business areas and crosscutting WBG solutions;
• Resource mobilization and donor coordination, including trust fund management, planning, and reporting;
• Conducting key global studies to advance the environmental agenda both globally and within the institution;
• Knowledge management of key global analytical outputs.

The ENV Global Department also administers Umbrella Trust Fund programs: The Global Program for the Blue Economy (PROBLUE), the Global Partnership for Sustainable and Resilient Landscapes (PROGREEN), and the Global Program on Sustainability (GPS), that provide concessional funding to IBRD and IDA teams working on themes related to blue economy and keeping ocean healthy (PROBLUE), improving ecosystems in resilient landscapes (PROGREEN), and measuring and managing natural capital and ecosystem services, respectively (GPS).

The cross-cutting ENV business lines include:

• Green: Forests, Biodiversity, Watersheds & Sustainable Landscapes - managing renewable natural capital across landscapes;
• Blue: Marine, Coastal & Aquatic Resources - unlocking the wealth of marine, coastal and fresh water economies;
• Clean: Circular Economy, Management of Pollution & Environmental Health - reducing pollution to improve environmental conditions;
• Environmental Economics and Institutions: Fostering economies and institutions for low carbon, healthy and sustainable growth.

Nature Finance Tracking at the WBG The WBG is a key partner for implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which promotes a whole-of-economy approach to achieving the GBF targets. As part of IDA20, the WBG (IBRD/IDA, IFC, and MIGA) has developed a Nature Finance Tracking Methodology to systematically track WBG’s contributions to the nature positive goal of halting and reversing nature loss and to the implementation of the GBF. The methodology captures the whole spectrum of relevant investments: conservation and restoration of nature, integration of nature-based solutions across sectors, the enabling policy and capacity-building, and the economy-wide transformations that need to happen to reduce the drivers of nature loss. The approach also aligns with the MDB Common Principles for Tracking Nature Finance and the Common Nature Finance Taxonomy. In FY24-25, the WBG successfully piloted the methodology and continues to collaborate closely with other MDBs to exchange best practices and refine the application of the methodology.

2. Roles and Responsibilities The ENV Global Department (Policy & Regulations) is recruiting a Short-Term Consultant (STC) to support the next phase of WBG nature finance tracking and the implementation of related corporate commitments. The work is expected to take place in collaboration with other relevant WBG units and teams, including the Department of Outcomes. The STC’s main roles and responsibilities include:

• Assessment of nature finance in the FY26 IBRD/IDA portfolio: Identification of relevant IBRD/IDA investment operations; in-depth assessment of nature finance in these operations, record‑keeping, and data analysis to deliver a robust FY26 aggregate result and identify overlaps with climate finance.
• Assistance in development of an AI tool that will support the nature finance assessment process.
• Contributions to development of additional technical guidance notes.
• Harmonization of processes, templates, and data recording with other relevant teams at the WBG.

3. Duration and Reporting The consultant will report to the Task Team Leader of this task. The assignment is estimated for 35 days and is expected to be completed between February and June 2026. The position is based in Washington, DC (HQ), but it assumes remote work arrangements. Please note that the World Bank will not sponsor a new G4 visa for the selected candidate. To apply, please submit your CV/resume and a brief expression of interest (one paragraph).

4. Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree in environmental policy, ecology, environmental engineering, natural resources management or another related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the field of environment and/or natural resources management with a focus on conservation and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems, or pollution management and circular economy; environmental risk and impact assessment or program evaluation with a focus on biodiversity and ecosystems.
• Familiarity with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework, especially Environmental and Social Standard 6 on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources, or equivalent risk management frameworks, is required.
• Familiarity with nature-positive sector practices that support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is required.
• Prior experience in World Bank operations is a plus.
• Proactivity and ability to work with a significant degree of autonomy.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, diplomatic, and team skills, and ability to work with a range of stakeholders to effectively negotiate and build consensus to achieve constructive outputs.
• Excellent organizational and management skills, and ability to manage a broad program of activities; ability to prioritize, to deal with frequent and unexpected changes, and to work with short deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, including the ability to write reports and briefing notes.
• Personal integrity, with demonstrated ability to handle confidential matters in a discreet and respectful manner.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills with external partners and across the WBG matrix with the capacity to interact in a multi-cultural environment.