SOCIAL RESEARCH & IMPACT CONSULTANT

Location: Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR

Contract Type: Full-Time (Long-term contract with annual review and renewal)

ESL Company Limited (ESL) specializes in environmental and social consulting, research, and management services. Over the past 25 years, we have delivered 100+ projects nationwide for government, private sector, NGOs, and community partners across mining, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and urban development. At ESL, consultants grow by leading real projects, deepening expertise, and shaping future opportunities. We are expanding our team and seeking a Social Research & Impact Consultant to join our team and contribute to high-quality consulting services that deliver meaningful and inclusive development outcomes.

1. Position Overview: The Social Research & Impact Consultant leads or supports consulting projects focused on social and health research, impact assessment, socio‑economic studies, and community engagement. The role spans proposal development, fieldwork, data analysis, reporting, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. This full-time position is ideal for a consultant with solid professional experience and applied research capability who is ready to take on increasing responsibility in project leadership, stakeholder engagement, knowledge development, and business development, while actively contributing to ESL’s learning culture, visibility, and service portfolio.
3. Key Responsibilities:

• Lead or support social research and impact-focused consulting projects from planning to completion, ensuring high-quality fieldwork, analysis, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Oversee project timelines, deliverables, and quality assurance to meet client/contractual requirements.
• Contribute to proposal development and ESL’s business growth.
• Coordinate or support multidisciplinary teams and provide technical inputs.
• Actively contribute to internal knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities.
• Contribute to produce knowledge products (e.g., blogs, project highlights, social media content).
• Participate in meetings with clients, community stakeholders, and Government of Lao PDR; support workshops, trainings, and logistics as required.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Health, Anthropology, Sociology, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or other related fields.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in social and health research, impact assessment, or consulting.
• Strong working knowledge of Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Health Impact Assessment (HIA), Socio-economic research and surveys, community and stakeholder engagement, baseline surveys, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E), Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) and Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRP)…
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Lao.
• Ability to work independently and in teams; strong coordination and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability and willingness to undertake field-based assignments.
• Proven experience drafting or leading technical sections of reports and proposals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with data analysis tools is an advantage.

Application Process: Please send your cover letter and CV to enviro@eslsole.la or click to Apply now button by February 18, 2026. Include " Application – Social Research & Impact Consultant" in the subject line. Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.