Environmental and Social Safeguard (ESS) Specialist

Job Description

The Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) (the Recipient) has received financing from its State Parties towards the Preparation of the Lesotho-Botswana Water Transfer Project (L-BWT) and intends to apply part of the agreed amount to payments under a contract for the position of an Environmental and Social Safeguard (ESS) Specialist within the Project Management Office (PMO) of the L-BWT, based in Maseru, Lesotho.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure environmental and social considerations are integrated into all feasibility assessments.
• Ensure that Environmental and Social Risk Assessment and Management are integrated into the overall project risk management framework.
• Ensure stakeholder engagement complies with regulatory and lender requirements.
• Monitor compliance with lender standards relating to resettlement and livelihood restoration as well as social impact management.
• Oversee development of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
• Review climate change risk and vulnerability assessments and ensure alignment with climate finance and sustainable infrastructure requirements.
• Ensure cumulative impacts are reflected in mitigation measures and planning processes to ascertain basin-wide sustainability considerations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable transboundary water agreements and regional frameworks.
• Ensure community safety considerations are integrated into risk management planning.
• Ensure compliance with environmental and social legislation requirements throughout the footprint of the project.
• Ensure project readiness for financing and lender due diligence by ensuring alignment with: International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards, World Bank Environmental and Social Framework, African Development Bank Integrated Safeguards System, Equator Principles, DBSA Environmental Safeguard Guidelines requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s Degree in Environmental Science or Natural Resources Management;
• The ESS Specialist must demonstrate professional experience of at least 15 years post-qualification experience in Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Audit, Ecological Assessment, Environmental and Social Management Plan, Safety Assessment, and Climate Change Assessment;
• The candidate must demonstrate strong experience of not less than ten years working with large water infrastructure projects that deal with issues of resettlements and compensations;
• He/she must be fluent in English and be able to work in a team environment;
• Prior experience in a similar role and familiarity with the Orange-Senqu River Basin will be an added advantage;
• Term: Twelve-month contract, renewable based on performance and possibility of extension of the project (tentatively estimated to cover the period January 2027 to December 2027;
• Payment: A cost-to-the-company monthly remuneration will be negotiated with the successful candidate based on budget and experience;
• Duty Station: The position will be based at the PMO office in Maseru, Lesotho. The ORASECOM Secretariat will help a successful candidate obtain a work permit, if required. The successful candidate will be required to reside in Maseru at his or her own cost.

How to Apply

Application Submissions: interested candidates should submit their applications and comprehensive CVs to: pmo@orasecom.org; not later than 30 October 2026. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. Please state that you got the job advert through JobHub BW website when submitting your application.