Corporate Social & Welfare Manager

Acwa; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

ACWA is seeking a Corporate Social & Welfare Manager to strengthen labour rights and worker welfare across our international project portfolio. You will oversee labour practices on construction contractor workforces and ensure lender requirements translate into ground‑level action.

This senior role reports to the Global Head of Environmental & Social and works with EPC contractors, HR, Legal and Compliance to address risks, implement frameworks, and drive improvements across multiple countries.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in labour rights, worker welfare or social performance on major energy, infrastructure, oil, gas or construction projects.
• Experience applying international labour standards and lender requirements (IFC, ILO, DFIs).
• Experience engaging with lenders, responding to due diligence, and delivering corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of corporate labour rights and worker welfare frameworks across projects.
• Engage with lenders and investors, demonstrate social compliance and lead responses to labour and welfare concerns.
• Support project teams in identifying labour risks and implementing corrective actions.
• Assess contractor practices covering recruitment, conditions, accommodation and welfare facilities.
• Strengthen monitoring and reporting systems to show performance against lender requirements.
• Guide project teams on grievance mechanisms, human rights risks and prevention of gender-based violence and harassment.
• Build capability through guidance and training for E&S teams and contractors.
• Work with HR, Legal and Compliance to address complex labour and welfare matters.

Skills

Labour rights

Worker welfare

Lender requirements

IFC standards

ILO standards

Education

Social Sciences or related discipline

Law or Sustainability qualification

Job description

ACWA is seeking a Corporate Social & Welfare Manager to strengthen labour rights and worker welfare across our international project portfolio.

Reporting to the Global Head of Environmental & Social, you will provide corporate oversight of labour practices across construction contractor workforces, drive implementation of established frameworks and represent ACWA in discussions with lenders and investors.

About the role

This is a senior specialist position with global reach. You will work closely with regional and project E&S teams, EPC contractors and corporate stakeholders to ensure international labour standards and lender requirements translate into effective practices on the ground.

Your primary focus will be the welfare of workers engaged through construction contractors, including responsible recruitment, working conditions, accommodation, human rights and access to effective grievance mechanisms.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of corporate labour rights and worker welfare frameworks across projects.
• Engage with lenders and investors, demonstrate social compliance and lead responses to labour and welfare concerns.
• Support project teams in identifying labour risks, implementing corrective actions and verifying improvements.
• Assess contractor and subcontractor practices covering recruitment, employment conditions, worker accommodation and welfare facilities.
• Strengthen monitoring and reporting systems to provide clear evidence of performance against lender requirements.
• Guide project teams on workforce grievance mechanisms, human rights risks and prevention of gender-based violence and harassment.
• Build capability through practical guidance and training for E&S teams, relevant employees and contractors.
• Work with HR, Legal and Compliance to address complex labour and welfare matters.

What we’re looking for

• At least 10 years of relevant experience, with substantial expertise in labour rights, worker welfare or social performance on major energy, infrastructure, oil and gas or construction projects.
• Practical experience applying international labour standards and lender requirements, including relevant IFC Performance Standards, ILO standards and development finance institution frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience engaging directly with lenders, responding to due diligence or monitoring findings and delivering corrective actions.
• Strong understanding of contractor workforce risks, responsible recruitment, working conditions and worker accommodation.
• Experience implementing social or labour management frameworks across multiple projects or countries.
• The ability to influence project leaders and contractors, challenge gaps constructively and secure action without direct reporting authority.
• Relevant qualifications in Social Sciences, Human Rights, Sustainability, Law or a related discipline.
• Fluent written and spoken English, with willingness to travel internationally to project sites.

Experience within an EPC contractor, energy developer, specialist consultancy or international financial institution would be valuable.

This is an opportunity to improve worker welfare across an international energy and water project portfolio, combining practical project engagement with corporate influence and direct lender interaction.

We welcome applications from internationally experienced professionals who are open to being based in Saudi Arabia.