REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)
(CONSULTING SERVICES - INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)
Country: Lebanon
Name of Project: Green Agri-Food Transformation for Economic Recovery (GATE Project)
Loan No.: IBRD 95760-LB
Assignment Title: Environmental and Social Specialist - Sub-Component 1.2
Reference No.: LB-KAFALAT-545262-CS-INDV
1. The Republic of Lebanon
The Green Agri-Food Transformation for Economic Recovery Project (GATE Project - P180334), financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), is implemented by the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR). Under Sub-Component 1.2, Kafalat S.A.L. has been designated as the implementing agency responsible for SME lending activities, pursuant to a Subsidiary Agreement with CDR.
Sub-Component 1.2 aims to provide direct lending to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating in the agri-food and agri-tourism sectors in Lebanon, thereby contributing to the overall objective of the GATE Project to improve the resilience of farmers and SMEs in the agri-food sector through enhanced access to finance.
Kafalat S.A.L. intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to engage an individual consultant to serve as Environmental and Social (E&S) Specialist for Sub-component 1.2 of the GATE Project Management Unit (PMU).
2. Objective of the Assignment
The objective of this assignment is to ensure that the SME Lending Window under Sub-Component 1.2 is implemented in full compliance with the GATE Project Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), applicable Lebanese environmental and social regulations, the approved Lending Manual, and the Project Operations Manual (POM).
The E&S Specialist will be the day-to-day lead for all environmental and social safeguards matters under Sub-Component 1.2, supporting Kafalat in integrating E&S requirements into the full SME lending cycle and fulfilling Kafalat's obligations under the ESCP, including ESCP action 9.1 which requires the recruitment and maintenance of an E&S Specialist throughout project implementation.
3. Scope of Services
The E&S Specialist will be responsible for, inter alia:
Review, update, and ensure alignment of Kafalat's existing Environmental and Social (E&S) instruments and ESMS with the GATE Project Environmental and Social instruments, including the ESCP, ESMS, Labor Management Procedures (LMP), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), grievance mechanisms, and other applicable GATE Project requirements, as well as with the POM, PAD, Legal Agreement, Lebanese laws and regulations and the Lending Manual.
Provide overall environmental & social risk management oversight during the implementation of sub-component 1.2, ensuring that E&S considerations are systematically integrated into Kafalat's SME lending cycle, from application and eligibility screening through credit assessment, approval, disbursement, monitoring, and loan closure.
Conduct and oversee the use of E&S screening, exclusion list checks, and risk categorization tools for all SME loan applications prior to financing, in accordance with ESS9, the ESMS, the GATE Project Environmental and Social instruments, and applicable Lebanese environmental and social laws and regulations.
Advise credit officers and the Credit Committee by providing E&S inputs to credit appraisal files, including identification of E&S risks, required mitigation measures to be included in the E&S Action Plan (ESAP), borrower undertakings, and E&S conditions to be reflected in loan agreements.
Ensure that proportionate E&S instruments (such as E&S checklists, action plans, and contractual commitments) are implemented and monitored for financed SMEs, and that site-specific instruments (e.g. ESMPs, ESIAs, ESAs) are required only where justified by the risk level, applicable national E&S laws and regulations, and ESCP provisions.
Prepare and update guidelines, tools and notes for Credit Officers use in the project based on relevant environmental policies, acts and Lebanese E&S regulations and WB ESF.
Monitor E&S compliance of financed SMEs throughout the loan lifecycle through desk-based reviews, borrower reporting, and targeted site visits where elevated risks, incidents, or early warning signals warrant enhanced supervision.
Identify E&S-related non-compliances or emerging risks and propose corrective actions and follow-up measures to the PMU within agreed timelines, ensuring documentation within the loan file and ESMS records.
Ensure implementation and monitoring of labor and working conditions applicable to Sub-component 1.2 in line with the LMP, including awareness-raising for PMU staff and SME borrowers on labor rights, occupational health and safety, codes of conduct, and prevention of child and forced labor.
Support implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) as it relates to Sub-component 1.2, including engagement with SME beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders.
Ensure that the sub-component grievance mechanism (GM) including SEA/SH sensitive complaints, as outlined in the SEP, is functional and operation, and report on the GM implementation. maintain an up-to-date GBV referral list; ensure SEA/SH cases are handled confidentially and reported consistent with ESMS.
Promptly notify the PMU and CDR of any significant environmental or social incidents or accidents related to Sub-component 1.2 and support incident reporting, investigation, corrective actions, and closure in accordance with the ESCP and the World Bank Environmental and Social Incident Response Toolkit (ESIRT).
Prepare quarterly E&S portfolio reports for submission to CDR/PCU within 30 days of each quarter end, covering: portfolio E&S performance, compliance status, site visits, grievance log summaries, incidents, training activities, gender-disaggregated data, and any ESMS updates
Train the PMU staff, field and credit officers on the application of E&S procedures, tools, and responsibilities as defined in the ESMS and Lending Manual.
Support the collection, tracking, and reporting of gender-disaggregated data and gender-related actions under Sub-component 1.2, in coordination with the PMU's monitoring and evaluation framework.
4. Duration of the Assignment
The assignment is expected to commence in June 2026. The initial contract duration is one (1) year, renewable on an annual basis subject to satisfactory performance evaluation, for the duration of GATE Project implementation. The assignment is full-time and based in Beirut, Lebanon, with travel within Lebanon as required.
5. Qualification Requirements
Interested individual consultants should demonstrate:
University degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, or a closely related field; postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in environmental and social risk management, preferably with World Bank-financed projects or other IFI-financed operations.
Demonstrated experience implementing an ESMS for a financial intermediary under ESS9 (or equivalent IFC Performance Standard 9); experience in agri-food or SME finance is a strong advantage.
Demonstrated experience operating grievance mechanisms, including SEA/SH-sensitive procedures and survivor-centred complaint handling.
Familiarity with the World Bank Good Practice Note on SEA/SH and GBV service referral pathways in Lebanon; experience with gender-responsive programming is an advantage.
Sound knowledge of the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), EHS Guidelines, ESS2 (Labor and Working Conditions), and ESS9 (Financial Intermediaries).
Knowledge of Lebanese environmental and labor legislation, including Decree 11802/2004 (OHS), the Lebanese Labor Code, and Law 205/2020 (sexual harassment).
Fluency in Arabic (required) and strong working proficiency in English (required); French is an advantage.
Strong analytical and report-writing skills; ability to produce clear, concise reports for diverse audiences.
Willingness and ability to travel within Lebanon for field visits as required.
HOW TO APPLY:
6. Submission of Expressions of Interest
Interested individual consultants are invited to submit Expressions of Interest including:
A cover letter explaining the candidate's suitability for the role, with specific reference to ESMS experience in financial intermediary operations and the Lebanese context.
A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting relevant experience, education, and language skills, including contact details of at least two professional references.
All documents must be submitted by email to the address below, with the subject line: "EoI - E&S Specialist; LB-KAFALAT-545262-CS-INDV".
7. Deadline for Submission
Expressions of Interest must be delivered no later than May 25th 2026, 17:00 Beirut Time.