Lenders Environmental and Social Advisor – E&S Monitoring

About the role

The client seeks an independent Lenders Environmental and Social Advisor (LESA) to monitor environmental and social performance across its African operations and fibre‑route projects during a three‑year financing period. The advisor will provide development finance institution lenders with an unbiased view of progress against the agreed E&S Action Plan, financing commitments, applicable standards and the client’s ESMS/ESMPs, with a particular focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Key responsibilities

• Deliver risk‑based E&S monitoring across all countries of operation, aligning with the Monitoring Framework, financing commitments and relevant ESMS/ESMPs.
• Plan and execute three annual monitoring visits, including desktop preparation, site walk‑overs, document review, worker and contractor interviews, and stakeholder engagement.
• Produce an independent written monitoring report within 21 calendar days of each visit, featuring activity overviews, ESAP status updates, photographic evidence, evidence‑based ratings, corrective actions, recommendations and an executive summary.
• Conduct pre‑disbursement desktop reviews of ESAP deliverables and other E&S materials, and prepare concise information memoranda for lenders.

Required profile

• Proven experience in lender‑facing E&S monitoring for linear infrastructure projects.
• Strong field capability in contractor management, labour and OHS, community health and safety, security, land and livelihoods, biodiversity, stakeholder engagement and grievance management.
• Fluent English and French with practical experience working in the DRC.
• Ability to translate site evidence and document reviews into clear ratings, corrective actions and lender‑ready reporting.

Required skills

• Expertise in environmental and social monitoring methodologies.
• Knowledge of ESMS/ESMP frameworks and E&S Action Plans.
• Competence in conducting site inspections, stakeholder interviews and documentary analysis.
• Strong written reporting skills for lender audiences.