Environmental & Social Impact Assessment Specialist – Sub-Saharan Africa Consultant

Dexis•Washington, DC

19h

About The Position

The Environmental & Social Impact Assessment Specialist – Sub-Saharan Africa Consultant supports a U.S. Government organization in assessing environmental and social risks across projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. This role contributes to ensuring that investments comply with international standards and promote sustainable development outcomes. The consultant serves as a regional expert responsible for evaluating environmental and social impacts, supporting compliance processes, and monitoring project performance. The role requires strong familiarity with regional operating environments and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes. This is an Independent Consultant (IC) position.

Requirements

At least five years of experience in conducting or reviewing environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) and in reviewing and evaluating environmental and social management systems to international standards.
Experience in applying the IFC Performance Standards is required.
Demonstrate a sound understanding of the principles, standards and guidelines used in environmental and social impact assessment as applied in developing countries around the world.
At least five years of experience working with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and/or the private sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Demonstrated knowledge of the procedures, techniques and methods used in conducting environmental and social impact assessments of proposed and on-going projects in a wide range of sectors and countries.
Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply international, foreign and U.S. Government policies, laws, regulations and standards necessary to identify and assess environmental and social impacts.
Demonstrated knowledge of effective environmental and social management systems including policies, risk and impact identification, management programs, organizational capacity and competency, emergency preparedness and response, monitoring, stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanisms.
Ability to engage effectively with representatives of domestic and foreign governments, U.S industry and NGOs.
U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of database management applications, global positioning systems (GPS), and other technology tools used in the assessment and monitoring of social and environmental impacts is preferred.
Working knowledge of one or more official languages in DFC project countries preferred, including Portuguese, French, Setswana, Kirundi, Amharic, Swahili, Chichewa, Kinyarwanda, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Northern Sotho (Sepedi), Sotho, Tswana, Swati, Tsonga, Venda, or Shona

Responsibilities

The IC will be focused on the environmental and social assessment and monitoring of DFC Sub-Saharan Africa projects, and may support projects in other geographies as needed and allowed by workload.
The IC will coordinate across the E&S Divisions to ensure consistency of the assessment of environmental and social performance of DFC projects.
The IC will assess environmental and social risks and performance against the following assessment frameworks: DFC’s environmental and social requirements as identified in 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; other relevant sector-specific IFC guidance documents; and other Good International Industry Practice, as applicable.
Review the adequacy of environmental and social documentation for projects in consideration of the context where it will be developed, including the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), as applicable, environmental and social management systems, organizational capacity and competency, and environmental and social management and monitoring plans for construction and operational phases. This may require recommendations on eligibility.
Review the adequacy of environmental and social action plans, including measures, timelines and budgets.
Prepare a gap analysis, draft approval memo and a draft action plan identifying actions required to achieve compliance with the assessment framework. Support required communication to address E&S issues for DFC’s decision-making purposes.
Provides guidance to prospective clients regarding the appropriate content, procedures, format, and resourcing/capacity building for environmental and social requirements.
Support the development of terms of reference for external support for addressing the E&S action plan, as needed.
Coordinate among the E&S Divisions and project investment teams to ensure consistency in the interpretation and application of environmental and social requirements of related DFC debt finance, insurance or equity finance projects.
The IC will review project reports and plans (“deliverables”) submitted as conditions of DFC contracts. The IC will follow up with clients regarding receipt and/or adequacy of deliverables.
The IC will monitor the actual environmental, social, health and safety impacts of previously approved DFC projects through analysis of client and third-party monitoring reports, monitoring data received by DFC and through site visits.
As needed, prepare reports on the status of environmental and social performance of active DFC projects, including identifying issues of non-compliance with DFC’s E&S conditions, and make recommendations for appropriate corrective action.
The IC will liaise with DFC E&S Division staff, Environment and Social Specialists of co-lenders, and/or consultants to undertake project assessments, provide regional expertise, and any other associated tasks as needed.
The IC may be called upon to perform site-based due diligence or monitoring for environmental and social compliance against the IFC Performance Standards, DFC’s ESPP and any additional deliverables or requirements in the DFC agreement.
The IC shall request meetings with appropriate organizations including but not limited to local government, affected communities, and civil society.
A written report will be prepared by the IC describing the findings of each of the site visits and submitted within 15 days of completion of the diligence or monitoring site visit.