Licensing & Permitting Consultant (Congo)

Department: ESIALocation: Democratic Republic of CongoDescriptionAllied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.High-Level OverviewThe client is an advisory firm that unlocks capital for sustainable growth in underserved markets, focusing on clean energy access and nature-based solutions. They provide transaction and strategy advisory services to investors, fund managers, companies, donors, and governments.The client is seeking a Licensing & Permitting Consultant to support a major renewable energy project in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. The consultant will lead the permitting and regulatory process required for project development and construction, working closely with local authorities, utilities, and community stakeholders. The role requires deep knowledge of DRC’s regulatory environment and the ability to navigate complex government processes to secure timely approvals and ensure full compliance with national and donor standards.Role and ResponsibilitiesRole: Licensing & Permitting Consultant – CongoDirect Report: Project Development LeadCandidates Required: 1Key Deliverables: Regulatory Strategy & PlanningConduct comprehensive regulatory mapping of all required permits, authorisations, and environmental approvals.Develop a permitting roadmap outlining dependencies, timelines, and key decision points.Perform regulatory risk assessments and propose mitigation strategies.Track and summarize relevant policy and legal developments in the energy and environmental sectors.Stakeholder & Inter-Agency CoordinationLead engagement with ministries, utilities, and regulators to align on permitting requirements.Facilitate inter-agency coordination between national, provincial, and sectoral authorities to accelerate approvals.Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring transparent communication and early issue resolution.Application & Compliance ManagementPrepare, submit, and monitor all licensing and permitting applications through to approval.Maintain standardized document templates and ensure all submissions meet government and donor quality standards.Develop and manage a permit tracker to monitor progress and compliance.Conduct internal QA/QC reviews prior to submission and maintain audit-ready documentation.Community Engagement & Social LicenseSupport public consultation processes and document community feedback in accordance with IFC and donor standards.Maintain records of community meetings, grievances, and responses.Coordinate with the ESG team to ensure social safeguards are reflected in the permitting process.Monitoring, Reporting & Cross-Team IntegrationTrack post-approval conditions and ensure continued compliance during early construction.Provide weekly progress updates to the Project Development Lead.Work closely with engineering, ESG, and finance teams to align permitting deliverables with project milestones.Deliver a final permitting dossier and risk summary for financial closeRequirementsExperience Required:5–7 years’ experience in permitting, licensing, or regulatory compliance for energy, mining, or infrastructure projects in DRC.Strong familiarity with DRC’s institutional and legal frameworks.Proven experience liaising with government and utility stakeholdersTechnical Requirements:Bachelor’s degree in Law, Engineering, or Environmental Studies.Knowledge of environmental and energy-sector permitting procedures in DRC.Ability to prepare official submissions and compliance documentationOther Skills:Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.Effective communicator in French; English an advantage.Organized, detail-oriented, and able to navigate complex administrative systemsWorking ArrangementLocation: Based in Goma or Kinshasa, with frequent travel to project sites.Terms of agreement: Start Date: November 2026 Contracting Period: 6–9 months (project-based)