Lead -Environmental Planning and Advisory

WSP; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm is seeking a Director for their Africa Environmental Planning and Advisory team based in Midrand, South Africa. The ideal candidate will have over 18 years of experience and proven leadership in environmental and social consulting projects. This role includes overseeing team dynamics, ensuring financial targets are met, and engaging with clients at the executive level. A strong technical background and commercial acumen are essential.

Qualifications

• 18+ years of experience in environmental and social consulting.
• EAPASA Registration required or application in process.
• Experience in various sectors including power generation and infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Africa Environmental Planning and Advisory team.
• Ensure financial performance of the team across multiple regions.
• Collaborate with other team leads and guide the team.

Skills

Leadership experience

Technical report writing

Project management

Commercial acumen

Client engagement

Education

Honours or higher degree in environmental and/or social discipline

Job description

Description

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director to lead our Africa Environmental Planning and Advisory (EPA) Team. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing environmental planning initiatives, providing strategic advisory services, and ensuring sustainable development practices across the region.

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.

Key Competencies and Generic Skills

• Demonstrable leadership experience.
• 18 years or more experience as an environmental and/or social specialist leading and delivering local and international (Africa) ESIA and/or ESDD consulting assignments.
• EAPASA Registration is required or evidence of application in process. Registered Pr. Sci. Nat is recommended.
• Project experience across the following sectors: conventional and renewable power generation and transmission, road and rail infrastructure, mining, ports and marine infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, and industrial manufacturing facilities.
• Knowledgeable in a wide range of environmental and social sub-disciplines (i.e. air quality, ecological impact, occupational health and safety, resettlement planning, labour practices etc.)
• Experience in Sub Sahara Africa (outside of South Africa) and ability to travel.
• Strong technical report writing skills, producing professional reports in fluent English.
• Strong project management skills.
• Comfortable to engage in client-facing business development.
• Significant commercial acumen.

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Collaborate with other P&A team leads.
• Input into wider WSP business policies.
• Provide team leadership and guidance to the Africa EPA team. This includes the South Africa, Mozambique and Ghana Teams.
• Assist with business administration and removal of roadblocks where needed.
• Crisis control and management.
• Drive and conduct recruitment as required by the team.
• The role requires strong interpersonal skills and provision of mentorship and guidance to all team members.

Business Development

• Tender Go-No-Go decisions.
• Be integral to securing significant Africa projects for the EPA Team.
• Technical and financial sign off of proposal in accordance with Authority Matrix.

Commercial

• Responsible for financial performance of EPA team (RSA, Moz, Ghana) and reaching financial targets for EPA Africa.
• Manage and interrogate Project Forecasting Tool (PFT) and provide guidance to the team on financial system.
• Monitoring work in progress (WIP) and invoicing progress.
• Conduct Debt review and follow up on relevant significant debts where required.

Technical

• Lead / prominent role in delivering local and international (Africa) projects.
• Offer technical guidance and support on projects where required.
• Maintain professional registration and technical capabilities.
• Engagement with Clients and other stakeholders at the senior executive level and providing support and guidance on critical E&S aspects affecting their projects.

Qualifications

• An Honours or higher degree in a relevant environmental and/or social discipline.