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

Job Description

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

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivering local and international (Africa) Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) projects,
• Assessment Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) and E&S risks in corporate mergers and acquisitions against Lender standards. 
• Experience with preparing and implementing Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS).
• Engagement with Clients and other stakeholders and providing support and guidance on critical E&S aspects affecting their investment decisions.
• Participation in marketing and business development activities, and development of ESDD proposals.
• Where required, provide a support role to the delivery of ESIAs in line with South African and international lender standards.
• 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.
• 6 years or more experience as an environmental and/or social specialist operating in the financial sector with involvement in local and international (Africa) ESDD and supplementary ESIA assignments.

Key Competencies and Generic Skills:

• Knowledge of, and the ability to pragmatically apply the international ESG performance standards (IFC, AfDB, EBRD Performance Standards, ILO Core Conventions, EPIV, 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, pharmaceutical, mining, oil and gas, and industrial manufacturing facilities.
• Sufficient understanding of a wide range of environmental and social sub-disciplines (i.e. air quality, ecological impact, occupational health and safety, resettlement planning, labour practices etc.)
• Some experience in Sub Saharan Africa (outside of South Africa) and ability to travel is required.
• Strong technical report writing skills, producing professional reports in fluent English.
• Strong project management skills.
• Good time management and ability to handle tight project deadlines.
• Strong preference will be given to:
• Candidates who are able to read, write and converse in French or Portuguese.
• Candidates with significant ESDD experience and/or financial sector client exposure.

The following is advantageous:

• 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.