Environmental & Social impact Assessment Specialist – Oil & Gas Consultant

Dexis•Washington, DC

18h

About The Position

The Environmental & Social impact Assessment Specialist – Oil & Gas Consultant supports a U.S. Government organization in assessing environmental and social risks associated with complex international development finance projects. This role operates within a specialized function responsible for ensuring that projects meet internationally recognized environmental and social standards, including those related to human rights, labor, and environmental protection. The consultant serves as a senior technical specialist focused on extractive industries, including oil and gas and critical minerals/mining. The role requires applying deep subject matter expertise to evaluate project risks, develop mitigation strategies, and support decision-making across a diverse global portfolio. The position requires close coordination with multidisciplinary teams and engagement with stakeholders across public and private sectors. This is an Independent Consultant (IC) position.

Requirements

Experience working in extractive industries, particularly in the oil and gas sector.
Technical background in engineering, environmental science, geology, hydrology or other field with relevance to the oil and gas and/or mining and minerals sectors, with demonstrated competency assessing risks across environmental and social issues.
Strong expertise and familiarity with the IFC Performance Standards and the World Bank EHS Guidelines (as well as sector-specific guidelines relevant to extractive sectors), and experience with due diligence and monitoring of projects against those standards.
Practical and technical expertise in conducting Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) and reviewing and monitoring implementation of E&S plans.
Experience working with private sector actors in Africa, Asia, Latin America and/or Eastern Europe required; experience working with development finance institutions (multilateral or bilateral) also required.
U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance

Nice To Haves

Experience with minerals and mining extraction/processing is also a plus.

Responsibilities

Support the environmental and social assessment of DFC projects, with a planned (but not exclusive) focus on extractive sectors including oil and gas and critical minerals/metals mining and processing.
Engage with the ODP E&S Division and coordinate with DFC project origination teams, clients and others to ensure consistency of the assessment.
Monitor E&S performance of active DFC projects.
Assess environmental and social risks and performance against DFC’s Environmental and Social Policy and Procedures (ESPP, April 2024); the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards (January 2012); applicable local, national and international environmental and social legislation including environmental and social permits; international laws including conventions and treaties adopted by the host country and applicable to the project (e.g., ILO Fundamental Conventions); applicable World Bank Group EHS Guidelines and other relevant sector specific IFC guidance documents.
Review the adequacy of environmental and social documentation for each project, considering the local context and stage of the project.
Make recommendations to ODP on the eligibility of projects for DFC support, in line with DFC policies.
Prepare gap analyses, draft approval memos and draft action plans identifying actions required to achieve compliance with the assessment frameworks.
Communicate with DFC staff and clients as required to review and develop documentation, and to enable DFC decision-making.
Provide guidance to prospective clients regarding the appropriate content, procedures, format, and resourcing/capacity necessary to meet E&S requirements.
Support the development of Terms of Reference for external support to develop or implement the E&S action plan, as needed.
Support coordination between the ODP E&S Division and project investment teams to ensure consistency in the interpretation and application of E&S requirements related to DFC projects.
Review project reports, plans and other materials submitted to meet the conditions of DFC contracts (“deliverables”).
Follow up with clients regarding receipt and/or adequacy of deliverables, providing support and guidance to clients on content where required.
Monitor the actual environmental, social and health and safety impacts of previously approved DFC projects through analysis of client and third-party monitoring reports and through site visits.
Prepare reports on the status of E&S performance of active DFC projects, including identifying issues of non-compliance with DFC’s E&S conditions and/or applicable standards, and make recommendations for appropriate corrective action.
Deliver support, advice guidance and/or training to DFC E&S Division staff on technical issues within IC’s areas of expertise and experience.
Liaise and collaborate with DFC E&S Division staff, E&S Specialists of co-lenders, and/or consultants to undertake project assessments, provide regional expertise, and any other associated tasks as needed.
Perform site-based due diligence or monitoring for E&S compliance against the IFC Performance Standards, DFC’s ESPP and any additional deliverables or requirements in the DFC agreement.
Request meetings with appropriate organizations including but not limited to local government, affected communities, and civil society.
Prepare a written report describing the findings of each of the site visits and submitted within 15 days of completion of the diligence or monitoring site visit.