Principal ESIA Consultant

SLR Consulting; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 550,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

SLR is seeking an experienced Principal ESIA Consultant to lead and manage Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) projects across the Middle East, Africa and wider international markets. The role requires a strong technical background, excellent project management skills and the ability to lead project teams, engage with clients and regulators, and deliver high‑quality environmental and social advisory services.

While GCC experience is preferred, it is not essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in environmental consulting or ESIA advisory.
• Proven experience delivering ESIA projects to IFC/Equator Principles/World Bank standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary ESIA projects from inception to completion.
• Act as Project Director or Technical Lead with QA and mentoring of teams.
• Coordinate specialist teams across biodiversity, air quality, water, climate, and engineering.
• Oversee ESIA reports, management plans and regulatory approvals across jurisdictions.
• Drive business development and client engagement while maintaining high quality.
• Travel across the Middle East, Africa and internationally as required.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Client engagement

Report writing

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree in Environmental Science or related discipline

Job description

SLR is seeking an experienced Principal ESIA Consultant to lead and manage Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) projects across the Middle East, Africa and wider international markets. The successful candidate will have extensive experience managing multidisciplinary ESIA projects in accordance with international lender requirements and national regulatory frameworks. The role requires a strong technical background, excellent project management skills and the ability to lead project teams, engage with clients and regulators, and deliver high‑quality environmental and social advisory services. While experience working within the GCC is preferred, it is not essential. Demonstrated experience delivering projects to international lender standards including Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) is mandatory. The ideal candidate will have a broad sector background spanning renewable energy, desalination, power generation, transmission infrastructure, water, industrial developments, ports, transport and major infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary ESIA projects from inception through to completion.
• Act as Project Director or Technical Lead on complex environmental and social assessment projects, providing strategic oversight, quality assurance, technical leadership and active coaching to project teams.
• Manage projects in accordance with international lender standards including IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, World Bank ESS, EBRD Performance Requirements and other DFI requirements.
• Coordinate specialist technical teams, including biodiversity, social, air quality, noise, climate change, water, marine, cultural heritage and engineering specialists.
• Lead environmental and social due diligence, screening studies, audits, feasibility studies and strategic environmental assessments where required.
• Manage environmental permitting and regulatory approval processes across multiple jurisdictions.
• Interface directly with clients, lenders, regulators, government agencies and project stakeholders.
• Oversee the preparation, review and quality assurance of ESIA reports, management plans and other technical deliverables, ensuring excellence, consistency and alignment with SLR standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in technical delivery across the International E & S team, including the development of methodologies, quality systems, technical guidance, lessons learned and best practice approaches.
• Support the development of technical capability within the team through mentoring, coaching, peer reviews, training and knowledge sharing.
• Manage project programmes, budgets, commercial performance and resource allocation.
• Support business development activities, including proposal preparation, client engagement, strategic growth initiatives and key account management.
• Contribute to technical leadership and thought leadership within the International E & S team and the wider SLR business.
• Mentor and develop junior consultants, project managers and emerging technical leaders.
• Travel across the Middle East, Africa and internationally as required.

What We Are Looking For

• Minimum 15 years of experience in environmental consulting, impact assessment, or environmental and social advisory services.
• Bachelor's or postgraduate degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Ecology, Geography, Engineering, Natural Sciences or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience managing ESIA projects in accordance with IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles and DFI requirements.
• Proven experience working on projects financed by international lenders, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and commercial banks.
• Strong understanding of environmental permitting and regulatory approval processes.
• Broad sector experience across renewable energy, desalination, power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, industrial developments, water infrastructure, transport, ports and major infrastructure projects.
• Experience working within the GCC and wider MENA region is preferred.
• Strong project management capability, including programme, budget and commercial management.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary project teams and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience managing client relationships and supporting business development activities.
• Excellent report writing, technical review and communication skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and problem‑solving ability.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Why Join SLR

• Lead regionally significant and internationally funded projects.
• Work with leading developers, investors, DFIs and government entities.
• Be part of a globally connected team of environmental and sustainability professionals.
• Access opportunities for technical leadership and career progression.
• Thrive in a collaborative and flexible One‑Team culture.
• Play a key role in the continued growth of SLR’s International E & S practice across the Middle East.

Technical & Behavioural Requirements

• Excellent technical report writing and review skills.
• Strong project director and commercial management capability.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Proactive, solutions‑oriented and commercially aware.
• Committed to mentoring and developing others.

SLR s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process.

We actively encourage and welcome people with disabilities to apply. SLR is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that recognises, values and celebrates diversity.