Jobs and Internships

On this page: Europe and Central Asia Program Manager | Climate Finance Coordinator | Latin America Program and Biceca Internship

Europe and Central Asia Program Manager

Description

The Bank Information Center (BIC) partners with civil society actors in developing and transition countries to influence the World Bank and other international financial institutions (IFIs) to promote social and economic justice and ecological sustainability. BIC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that advocates for the protection of rights, informed participation, transparency, and public accountability in the governance and operations of the World Bank and other IFIs.

BIC is seeking a Program Manager for its Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Program.  The position will be based in Washington, DC.

Since 1995, BIC has been working on IFI reform and project monitoring in the Europe and Central Asia region in various capacities, including information provision, critical analysis, and campaign support to communities and local civil society organizations (CSOs). The ECA Program focuses on the World Bank Group (including the International Finance Corporation).  BIC works closely with civil society groups in the region to monitor projects of the IFIs and advocate for socially and environmentally more sustainable policies at the institutions.   A key focus of the program is monitoring the involvement of IFIs in the extractive industries (oil, gas, & mining), particularly supporting civil society in Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus to increase transparency of revenue flows and investment contracts in the sector.

Principal Responsibilities:

1)         PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Manage BIC’s program on Europe and Central Asia, including the development and implementation of work plans and budgets and supervision junior staff and consultants, and coordination with other BIC programs.

2)         OUTREACH, TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING

• Strengthen existing relationships and develop new relationships with CSOs in the region.
• Strengthen the capacity of CSOs in Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia to understand and influence the role and activities of the World Bank Group and the IMF.
• Respond to requests for information from NGOs, academics, policymakers, and press about projects and policies of the international financial institutions in the ECA region and provide routine updates about such activities using BIC’s web site and other media.
• Provide guidance on the role of the WBG in promoting transparency in the extractive sectors at regional Revenue Watch workshops in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with officials in the international financial institutions and U.S. Government involved in designing, approving, and implementing development policy and projects in the ECA region.
• Support visitors from the region taking part in professional development exchanges with BIC.

3)         ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT

• Provide substantive leadership on revenue and contract transparency policies and practices of the World Bank Group in the extractive industries sector.
• Produce analytical briefings and regular IFI country updates on a periodic basis.
• Provide information, analysis, and training to partner organizations involved in monitoring and advocating
• Collaborate with partners to help influence key IFI policies and strategies in the region including implementation of the Extractive Industries Review, information disclosure and translation policies, energy and natural resource policies, and specific country strategies.

4)         FUNDRAISING

• Lead fundraising for the ECA regional program.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to social change and strong interest in environmental, economic and social justice.
• Graduate level degree in relevant social science field, such as Economics, Public Policy, International Relations, or Environmental Science.
• Five to seven years of experience in the development or environment fields working for or collaborating with NGOs or social movements, with at least three years experience with organizations in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
• Thorough understanding of international development issues, especially the role and activities of International Financial Institutions.
• Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in Russian is strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 40% of the time.

Salary and benefits:

This is a full-time (40 hrs/week), salaried position. Salary will be competitive with equivalent NGO staff positions and commensurate with experience.  BIC offers outstanding benefits including generous annual leave with pay, fully covered health insurance, and a friendly work atmosphere in an international team.

Process:

Send a cover letter, resume/CV (indicate 3 references) and two short writing samples to   or by fax to 202-737-1155.  Write “ECA Program Manager” on the subject heading.  Qualified candidates will be considered on a rolling basis.  BIC anticipates a starting date in February 2009.  No phone calls, please. 

BIC is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, gender, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. To learn more about BIC, visit our website at www.bicusa.org.

Climate Finance Coordinator

Description

The Bank Information Center (BIC) partners with civil society around the world to influence the World Bank and other international financial institutions (IFIs) to promote social and economic justice and ecological sustainability. BIC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that advocates for the protection of rights, participation, transparency, and public accountability in the governance and operations of the World Bank, regional development banks, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  

We are looking for an energetic, coalition-oriented person to join BIC as our Climate Finance Coordinator.  S/he will lead the organization’s efforts in tracking the implementation of the World Bank’s climate strategy, with particular emphasis on the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and the Climate Investment Funds.  The Coordinator will work towards promoting transparency, broad stakeholder participation, and accountability in these mechanisms, and will work closely with conservation, indigenous peoples, climate, and other groups/networks for more informed engagement around climate and development issues.  S/he will work hand-in-hand with BIC’s regional programs on Asia, Africa, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, and Middle East and Northern Africa throughout the campaign.

The Coordinator will be based in BIC’s DC office and will report to the Policy Program Director. 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

    1.   Information Services and Analysis

• Obtain and disseminate to civil society groups timely information and analyses on the design and operations of the World Bank climate initiatives including the FCPF and CIF.
• Work with BIC’s regional programs in monitoring in-country implementation of the World Bank’s climate initiatives, paying close attention to added costs to developing countries, potential use of new policy conditions, and disregard of local communities/indigenous peoples rights.

    2.   Convening Role

• Facilitate participation of civil society stakeholders in the design and operations of World Bank climate initiatives
• Collaborate with civil society stakeholders around the world (including indigenous peoples, conservation, forest-dependent, climate change, faith-based, and labor groups) to discuss and develop joint strategies on climate change.

    3.   Analysis and Advocacy

• Analyze and develop cogent briefings on developments regarding World Bank climate initiaitives
• Engage senior staff of World Bank management and Executive Directors to advocate for BIC/partner positions.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Strong interest in environmental and social justice, and good understanding of key climate change issues involving mitigation and adaptation.
2. Strong communication, writing, analytical, and organizing skills.
3. Two to five years of experience in environment or development fields, preferably related to international climate or forest policy advocacy.
4. Master’s degree in relevant social science field such as environmental studies, political science, economics, and international relations. 
5. Willingness and ability to learn quickly and work with a diverse array of civil society groups, as well as World Bank and US government staff.

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

Salary will be commensurate with experience.  BIC offers outstanding benefits including generous annual leave with pay, fully covered health insurance, and a friendly work atmosphere in an international team.

PROCESS

Send a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, a 1-2 page resume, and two writing samples to or by fax to 202-737-1155.  Write “Climate Coordinator” on the subject heading.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Anticipated start date is November 3, 2008.  No phone calls please.  Due to capacity constraints, BIC will only reply to short-listed candidates.

BIC is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, gender, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. To learn more about BIC, visit our website at www.bicusa.org.

Latin America Program and Biceca Internship

description

The Bank Information Center (BIC) partners with civil society actors in developing and transition countries to influence the World Bank and other international financial institutions (IFIs) to promote social and economic justice and ecological sustainability. BIC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that advocates for the protection of rights, informed participation, transparency, and public accountability in the governance and operations of the World Bank and other IFIs.

BIC is seeking an intern for its Latin America Program and the Biceca Project (Building Informed Civic Engagement for Conservation in the Andes-Amazon). The position will be based in Washington, DC.

The Latin America Program Intern will work with the BICECA DC Project Coordinator to provide support to our partners in Latin America and to strengthen our ability to work with and support civil society in the region. The Latin American regional work focuses on the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and World Bank Group (including the International Finance Corporation) and other regional development banks (BCIE, CAF, FONPLATA). Special attention is given to the role of MDBs in regional integration initiatives (IIRSA in particular).

key responsibilities

• Researching MDB activities in Latin America and preparing written updates.
• Updating and maintaining our contact database.
• Providing logistical support for partners visiting Washington.
• Assisting in general office operations.
• Occasional translation.
• Updating BIC's website with the work of the Latin America program.

qualifications

• Excellent analytical, writing abilities, as well as IT knowledge.
• Preferably experience with database and websites.
• Demonstrated reseach skills and an interest in social justice issues.
• Flexible and able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent spoken and written English language skills essential.
• Excellent spoken and written Spanish lanaguage skills essential.

SALARY AND duration 

This is a full-time position for a 3-6 month period. The intern will be provided a stipend of US$1000 per month.  

process

Applicants may send a resume, writing sample (English and Spanish) and cover letter explaining their interest in this position to with the title: BICECA Internship, or by fax to (202) 737-1155, or by mail to 1100 H Street, NW, Suite 650, Washington DC 20005. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE!

BIC is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, gender, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. To learn more about BIC, visit our website at www.bicusa.org. To learn more about BICECA, visit www.biceca.org.