Sustainability Specialist at University of Cape Town

• The main purpose being to lead a selection of technical projects, programmes, and activities within the Environmental Sustainability unit, under the director’s guidance, including:
• Green building construction projects at UCT (that are delivered by Properties & Services)
• UCT’s water and energy savings implementation plans and projects and carbon footprint reporting
• UCT’s waste strategy and implementation plans, and various waste related projects
• Other sustainability related projects, including health, wellness, ecology etc. (related to UCT’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy)
• Leading various project sustainability related feasibility studies and developing business cases to demonstrate project viability (in many cases the detailed work will be done by consultants, but not always, and projects require leadership and direction)
• Hosting sustainability related workshops and training from time to time for colleagues, or giving a guest lecture to students
• Engaging with other UCT departments to initiate, lead or collaborate on sustainability related projects with them
• Writing reports, presentations, and news articles on sustainability related projects at UCT

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE JOB

• BSc Engineering, BSc (Hons) Property Studies, BSc (Hons) Construction Management, BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying, Architectural Studies (Hons), BSc (Hons) Environmental Sciences or equivalent, at (NQF 8)
• OR a master’s degree (NQF9) in any of the above  related fields  or sustainability related field, e.g. climate change, sustainable urban development etc (even if the Hons degree was not in one of these disciplines). 
• At least 5 years relevant working experience within the built environment, construction, and certified green buildings, including the GBCSA green building certification process and undertaking an organisational carbon footprint.

THE FOLLOWING WOULD BE ADVANTAGEOUS:

• Green Star Accredited Professional
• ECSA, SACAB, ASAQS or similar professional registration in the relevant field

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Project/programme initiation and coordination
• Project and programme schedule and risk management
• Project and programme administration and general administration
• Project and programme budgeting and financial administration
• Communication and presentation with various project and programme stakeholders
• Environmental sustainability and green buildings project/programme content reviewed or prepared

Closing Date:    15th  April 2026