Job #: 130148
Title: Operations Officer (Green Building)
Job Stream: Technical Assistance & Advisory Services
Location: Beijing, China
Closing Date: 02/11/2013
Background / General description:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group, pursues its mission of reducing poverty and improving people’s lives by promoting private sector development through investment and advisory services.
The Project: IFC has launched a three-year regional program covering Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and China with the objective to contribute to the reduction of green-house-gas (GHG) emissions. The project takes a programmatic approach and initially focuses on the following:
• Develop regulations/policies to mandate energy and resource efficiency measures for existing and new, large building projects;
• Develop reasonable incentive and training schemes for implementation of green buildings;
• Leverage the IFC EDGE tool at both national and local levels and use other tools to increase awareness / promote take-up of the green building regulations/incentives among key market stakeholders.
To help scale up impact, the project will work alongside IFC’s ongoing activities, notably the Sustainable Energy Finance program for China, CHUEE, and Investment Services where IFC is strategically using the combination of advisory and investment to develop sustainable energy finance markets.
Reporting Line: China, Korea and Mongolia Country Manager, and CHUEE Program Manager.
Scope of Work: IFC is seeking to recruit an experienced specialist with operational experience in green buildings policy setting and regulatory design, preferably within China. The Green Buildings Specialist shall provide insights and analysis into concrete green buildings regulatory opportunities, issues and challenges in the context of China. The primary focus of the work will be on close cooperation with government counterparts and private sector stakeholders in order to initiate/implement the growth of the green buildings sector.
The role’s main objectives are to promote high technical standards in Green Buildings China project and to effectively liaise with the regional specialist, GB teams and global product leaders to ensure effective dissemination of best practice.
The main responsibilities of the Specialist will be to:
1. Lead the development of a regional strategy, business models and delivery models by working collaboratively with IFC’s Global Green Building Specialist and EAP GB Project Task Leaders to identify successful models and approaches, support replication across the region; provide quality control, define and monitor progress based on key M&E indicators; identify resource gaps, develop and implement staffing plan.
2. Support sub-regional programs in developing, funding, staffing and implementing projects and programs in the sub-business line. Help in raising funding and support for regional programs in their fundraising efforts.
3. As appropriate, help IFC’s investment transaction teams with clients and partners conduct thorough due diligence appraisal of potential private sector players focusing on Green Buildings development or energy-efficient / environmentally friendly building materials or equipments.
4. Identify areas of value creation in IFC Green Buildings clients and partners, and help structure and implement advisory packages that address identified opportunities for improvement.
5. Support IFC Green Building Specialist in Knowledge Management, by coordinating a network of practitioners and experts across IFC and the World Bank Group and leading knowledge building and dissemination, internally and externally.
6. Provide technical support to similar IFC Green Buildings initiative in other region as deemed necessary, with approval from EAP Manager.
Duties and Accountabilities:
I. Business Accountabilities
Strategy
• Help define and recommend the China GB implementation strategy and client engagements with a focus on high developmental impact and ensuring the strategy is in line with IFC strategic objectives and with the AS business model;
• Help design and set strategy for the China GB program and provides technical expertise to local and regional AS teams and internal clients (investment and/or advisory) ensuring the program meets high quality standards, and has a clear development and exit strategy;
• Contribute to the design of new GB projects in EAP, reviewing relevant technical aspects of new project proposals for quality control and ensuring that lessons learned world-wide are appropriately taken into account;
• Ensure the development of and adherence to a solid measurement and evaluation framework for the GB product both in China and regionally, in collaboration with M&E staff and in line with AS practices and policies, including setting guidelines for pre-implementation scoping and post-project monitoring.
Knowledge
• Participate in regular practice group meetings with peer specialists and report to larger practice groups and networks;
Support Regional Specialist in developing EAP knowledge management agenda for GB by gathering, managing and disseminating global best practice and institutional knowledge of the product across IFC;
Contribute to the design and development of internal and external thematic events and knowledge sharing networks to share product lessons and experience and learn from others.
Implementation
• Monitor implementation and progress of GB China project and recommend corrective actions where/if necessary;
• Take an active role in the discussions with related private sector and government counterparts to explore and/or demonstrate the technical and market feasibility of the proposed reforms/regulations;
• Work with relevant government and private sector partners to draft revisions and/or new green buildings regulations;
• Undertake roundtables to gather public and private sector input to policy reform proposals;
• Lead the preparation and implementation of public relations / consultations events as required;
• Design outreach, capacity building programs and training materials to implement and achieve regulatory reforms and incorporate private sector feedback into development of and advocacy for green buildings reforms;
• Performing other functions as required and directed by CHUEE manager and regional specialist.
II. Relationship Management Accountabilities
• Support the Regional Specialist to develop new initiatives/projects, leading innovation and keeping abreast/influencing industry developments;
• Develop and maintain relationships with key China players in the GB area, in coordination with other areas of IFC;
• Foster strong relationships with counterparts in the World Bank Group, as well as in other private and public financial institutions to identify collaboration opportunities and to enhance client and business delivery;
• Work collaboratively within the matrix to deliver impact for clients and IFC.
Selection Criteria:
• Advance Degree / Masters in architecture, energy efficiency (building) or equivalent;
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience consulting for green buildings development projects or conducting analysis and implementation of green buildings regulations, preferably in the context of emerging economies;
• Sound knowledge of green buildings regulatory and market issues;
• Excellent presentation as well as oral and written communications skills; experience working with high level public and private sector counterparts;
• Track record in project design and implementation;
• Proven project management and leadership skills. Ability to manage consultants and IFC staff to deliver high quality results;
• Ability to review and evaluate projects and business operations on technical, commercial, managerial, and financial grounds;
• Excellent analytical skills, as demonstrated through a track record of qualitative and quantitative research;
• Strong interpersonal skills, and demonstrated capacity to network and work with a wide range of stakeholders within and outside IFC / World Bank Group, including financial institutions, businesses, international organizations, associations and government authorities;
• Excellent communication skills in English and Mandarin.
• Willingness to travel regularly within China and occasionally internationally.
IFC offers a challenging and rewarding work environment, attractive compensation and excellent career opportunities. All applications will be treated in strict confidence. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
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