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Expert ESG/RSE & Environnement

Enabel • Belgium • Added on Jul 27, 2026
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This role will oversee the structural integration of environmental and social governance within Enabel’s diverse international portfolio. You will act as the architect of the organization’s ESG framework, developing practical tools and monitoring systems that ensure global projects remain compliant and environmentally responsible. Your daily work involves balancing strategic advisory with operational technical support to ensure sustainability isn’t just a concept but a standard practice across all activities.

Working for a national development agency provides a unique opportunity to scale impact across many borders. By managing the organization’s carbon footprint and emissions reduction trajectory, you directly support sustainable international cooperation. You will bridge the gap between high-level donor requirements and ground-level project execution in regions like Africa and the Middle East, ensuring that developmental aid actively contributes to environmental preservation and social resilience.

This suits someone who possesses a strong backbone in environmental engineering or international development and excels at simplifying complex regulatory requirements into actionable guidance. You should be a collaborative leader ready to navigate a multicultural professional landscape.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves constructing and refining the institutional ESG framework for Enabel. You will be responsible for translating complex environmental and social requirements from international donors into practical, operational tools and training guides. This ensures that every project, from water management to urban development, adheres to rigorous sustainability standards. Beyond framework creation, you will serve as the lead for corporate social responsibility, specifically focusing on the organization's carbon footprint. You will monitor emission reduction trajectories and provide strategic advice on environmental governance. Your role is to ensure that the quality of projects is consistently high regarding social and environmental risk management.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain unparalleled exposure to the Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS) utilized by major international financial institutions and the European Union. You will learn how to navigate the specific audit requirements and compliance standards that govern multi-million euro development portfolios across diverse geographies in Africa and the Middle East. Additionally, the role offers deep immersion into carbon accounting within a complex organizational structure. You will refine your skills in capitalising on knowledge, learning how to take lessons from specific field projects and turning them into global institutional policies that influence how development aid is delivered worldwide.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in environmental science or engineering and brings a robust background in international cooperation. Experience with waste management, circular economy, or biodiversity sensitivity is highly valued, as these technical areas frequently intersect with Enabel's field operations. Proficiency in French or Dutch is required, alongside a professional command of English for international coordination. Soft skills are equally critical; you should demonstrate an 'assistance mindset'—the ability to facilitate and mentor teams rather than just acting as a regulator. You must be results-oriented and capable of managing external consultants and multi-stakeholder partnerships effectively.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your practical experience in setting up concrete systems rather than just theoretical policy work. Provide examples where you successfully harmonized ESG practices across different departments or countries. Demonstrating familiarity with the specific requirements of international donors like the EU or World Bank will give you a significant competitive edge. Tailor your motivation letter to reflect Enabel’s values of sustainable development and social change. Highlight a specific instance where you simplified complex environmental regulations for non-expert colleagues, as 'simplifying without weakening' is a core requirement mentioned in the profile.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The sustainability focus is dual-faceted: it covers both institutional RSE (CSR) and project-level ESG. On the institutional side, you will be the guardian of Enabel's own environmental performance, focusing on their carbon footprint and emission reduction plans. This ensures the agency 'walks the talk' while implementing global development goals. At the project level, the focus is on environmental risk mitigation. You will ensure that development projects—ranging from infrastructure to agriculture—do not cause unintended harm to local ecosystems. This involves rigorous environmental impact assessments and the integration of circular economy principles into project lifecycles.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is harmonizing standards across highly diverse cultural and geographic contexts. What works for a project in Brussels may not be immediately applicable to a project in the Sahel. You will need to find a way to maintain high ESG standards while remaining flexible enough to be operational in different administrative and environmental realities. Furthermore, you may face the challenge of driving internal change and ensuring that sustainability is adopted as a transversal priority across all departments. Overcoming resistance to new processes and ensuring that reporting requirements do not become an administrative burden for field teams requires significant diplomatic and pedagogical skills.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a coordination meeting with the Climate Governance unit to align on upcoming project reviews. You might spend your morning developing a new training module on social risk management for staff in partner countries, ensuring the content is accessible and actionable for field officers. In the afternoon, you could switch to analytical tasks, such as reviewing carbon emission data from Enabel’s global offices or providing strategic advice on an upcoming audit. The day often concludes with networking or partnership management, perhaps communicating with European peers or external consultants to share best practices in ESG governance.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This position offers a high-visibility platform within the international development sector, providing a pathway toward senior leadership roles in sustainability or climate finance. As a Lead Expert, you are positioned at the intersection of policy and operations, which is a prime spot for moving into strategic global governance roles. You will also have the opportunity to expand your professional network across major international organizations and donor agencies. Success in this role demonstrates an ability to manage large-scale institutional shifts, a skill highly sought after by NGOs, international banks, and government agencies alike.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will report directly to the Coordinator of the Climate Governance, Green Building, Energy & Water unit and work closely with colleagues in Brussels and across international offices. These interactions are focused on capacity building and technical support, ensuring that internal teams feel empowered to implement ESG standards. External stakeholders include major financial partners and international donors (such as the EU), with whom you will align on compliance and audit preparation. You will also manage external consultants and maintain professional networks with other development agencies to ensure Enabel's practices remain at the forefront of the industry.

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