Group Director - Sustainability Intelligence

Energy Vault; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the sustainability sector seeks a Director of Sustainability. The role involves leading strategic intelligence projects, ensuring compliance with environmental standards, and engaging with a variety of stakeholders. Ideal candidates have extensive experience in sustainability practices and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• At least 7-10 years of experience in sustainable development or corporate sustainability.
• Expertise in research and data-gathering.
• An understanding of global sustainability trends.

Responsibilities

• Conduct country level impact studies and risk assessments.
• Manage environmental and social due diligence activities.
• Engage with stakeholders to promote sustainability initiatives.

Skills

Research

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Formal degree in Sustainability, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, or Management

Job description

Description

Job Purpose

This role demands a collaborative solutions-oriented individual capable of working closely and coordinating with GHSE, GPPM and GCFBD to help ensure that projects, business units and regional teams adhere to the organisation’s sustainability goals and DP World's long-term vision of minimising social risk across its operations. The Director will support DP World’s geographic presence through competitive tender preparation, evidence-based impact mapping and risk-based impact mitigation in line with IFC standards supporting project finance.

Will be responsible for strategic intelligence workstreams for the department (including socio-economic impact analysis, empirical and industry research, sustainability trends analysis, market intelligence, thought leadership and sustainability positioning.

Key Accountabilities

Intelligence:

• Develop country level impact studies to relate the positive and negative impacts of the company’s operations in the countries and communities in which it operates. These impact studies will reinforce DP World’s licence to operate globally and will include policy analysis, economic impact modelling and extensive stakeholder management.
• Work with business pillar commercial and strategy teams to conduct market intelligence exercises (horizon scanning, peer benchmarking) to help evaluate DP World’s existing sustainability offerings across its E2E operations, identify strengths and weaknesses and influence corporate strategy in a manner that is practice oriented and commercially conscientious.
• Research and develop comprehensive, analytically minded thought leadership pieces that extend DP World industry position. This must be done in tandem with Communications, Media Relations, Government Relations and Regional teams.
• Conduct periodic horizon scanning and benchmarking exercises to inform and evolve the sustainability strategy.
• Contribute to thought leadership content for company and executive channels and events.

Compliance and Due Diligence:

• Conduct social risk assessments for projects, identifying potential social threats and proposing mitigation measures and capitalising on potential opportunities. Monitor the implementation of these measures to ensure minimal disruption.
• Project manage environmental and social due diligence activities alongside Group HSE as part of commercial due diligence activities led by Group Corporate Finance and Business Development.
• Support in the project management of social permitting and compliance activities on behalf of greenfield and brownfield project delivery teams. This will include working with teams of consultants to deliver national (and IFC compliance) ESIAs, ESMPs and other relevant management plans.
• Ensure new project activities comply with relevant local, regional, and international environmental and social laws and standards. Collaborate with project managers to minimise the impact to neighbouring communities/project affected persons.

Sustainability Oversight:

• Support the GPPMD project managers with S&E due diligence assessments to ensure all potential S&E deficiencies and risks have been addressed in the Pre-Project stage and included in the GPPMD reports to the end users.
• Oversee and monitor environmental and social activities across all capital construction projects managed by GPPMD, ensuring adherence to DP World’s policies, industry regulations, and local legislation.
• Focus on risk reduction to ensure S&E compliance of the portfolio deliverables.
• Support the GPPMD project managers with budgeting activities related to S&E, including forecasting, allocation, and monitoring of S&E expenses.
• Identify cost-efficient solutions to enhance S&E performance in project sites without compromising on quality or compliance.

Stakeholder Engagement, Community Liaison and Communication:

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to promote environmental awareness and sustainability initiatives. Ensure open communication with stakeholders to maintain a strong reputation for responsible development.
• Act as the focal point between GPPMD and Group Sustainability (and the Environmental team from Group HSE), ensuring seamless communication and coordination of S&E initiatives across project sites.
• Where applicable, lead the global rollout of relevant S&E programmes and initiatives to GPPMD project sites.

Governance:

• Collaborate with the GPPMD Strategy & PMO team to continually improve S&E practices in processes, procedures, and templates as part of the department and project governance frameworks.
• Collaborate with GCFBD as part of commercial due diligence exercises.

General:

• Act as an ambassador for DP World at all times when working; promoting and demonstrating positive behaviours in harmony with DP World’s Principles, values and culture; ensuring the highest level of safety is applied in all activities; understanding and following DP World’s Code of Conduct and Ethics policies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned
• Act as an ambassador for DP World at all times when working; promoting and demonstrating positive behavioursin harmony withDP World’s Principles, valuesand culture; ensuring the highest level of safety is applied in all activities; understanding and following DP World’s Code of Conduct and Ethics policies

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• Formal degree in Sustainability, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field is required.
• At least 7 -10 years of experience in the fields of sustainable development, corporate sustainability, international relations with a relevant degree.
• Expertise in research, data-gathering and analysis.
• A well-informed understanding of global trends and perspectives on issues relating to business's economic, social, and environmental impacts.
• Experience with international social and environmental standards is highly valued. Experience working in a liaison role between departments is an advantage.
• Experience in research on sustainability issue areas including environmental performance, socio-economic development, human rights, indigenous communities, conservation etc.
• An understanding of sustainability performance standards and annual sustainability reporting.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., LEED, BREEM, ISO 14001) are preferred.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and contractors. Proven ability to engage with stakeholders at various levels to promote sustainability goals.
• Excellent verbal, written communication, good computer & software skills, report writing and administrative skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly assess situations, develop solutions, and drive improvements.
• Background engaging with development finance institutions, INGOs, governments and institutional investors.