Associate Consultant - Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) at WSP in Africa

Job Description

This role can be based in either Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead / prominent role in delivering local and international (Africa) Environmental and social due diligence (ESDD) projects at project level (typically Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) due diligence) and in support of corporate mergers and acquisitions against Lender standards. 
• Engagement with Clients and other stakeholders at the senior executive level and providing support and guidance on critical E&S aspects affecting their investment decisions.
• Experience with preparing and implementing Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS).
• Key client/account relationship management, participation in marketing and business development activities, and development of ESDD proposals.
• Contribute to and drive the business strategy for the ESDD service sector.
• Where required, provide a support role to the delivery of ESIAs in line with South African and international lender standards, and permit compliance audits in terms South African legal requirements.
• Delivering local and international (Africa) Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) projects.
• Undertake permit compliance audits in terms of South African legal requirements.

Health and Safety:

• Role model standards for SHEQ performance and behaviour consistent with the company’s health, safety, environmental and quality vision and policies by influencing those around you.
• Contributing to the identification of SHEQ risks and driving processes to achieve Zero Harm.
• Embracing, displaying and promoting the company values and ensuring a safe working environment is maintained at all times.

Qualifications

• An Honours or higher degree in a relevant environmental and/or social discipline
• 8 years or more experience as an environmental and/or social specialist leading and delivering local and international (Africa) ESDD and ESIA consulting assignments

Other Requirements:

• In depth knowledge of, and the ability to pragmatically apply the international ESG performance standards (IFC, AfDB, EBRD Performance Standards, ILO Core Conventions, King III / IV, and the World Bank General and sector specific EHS Guidelines etc.)
• Demonstrable project experience in several of the following sectors: conventional and renewable power generation and transmission, road and rail infrastructure, ports and marine infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, and industrial manufacturing facilities.
• Knowledgeable in a wide range of environmental and social sub-disciplines (i.e. air quality, ecological impact, occupational health and safety, resettlement planning, labour practices etc.)
• Strong experience in Sub Sahara Africa (outside of South Africa) and ability to travel.
• Strong technical report writing skills, producing professional reports in fluent English.
• Strong project management skills.
• Comfortable to engage in client-facing business development.

Strong preference will be given to:

• Candidates who are able to read, write and converse in French or Portuguese.
• Candidates with knowledge of Impact Investing, Sustainability reporting and Governance.
• Candidates with strong ESDD experience and/or financial sector client exposure.
• Candidates with team management experience and a strong capability for this role.

The following will be advantageous:

• Candidates that have published papers in relevant subject matter.
• Candidates who have a relevant financial qualification and/or experience in dealing with financial sector clients. 
• Experience with international ESIAs and/or EHS compliance auditing.