Managing Consultant - Water Services (Mid-Senior Level)

ERM; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM is seeking a motivated hydrogeologist to join our Water Services team in South Africa. You will deliver groundwater projects across Africa for global clients, working on ESIA studies, due diligence, and sustainability programs.

You will lead small teams, manage budgets, and liaise with clients to ensure high-quality outputs. The role offers mid-career ownership of projects, mentoring junior staff, and opportunities to contribute to corporate water stewardship initiatives within a global

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hydrogeology or related earth science.
• 7+ years of consulting hydrogeology experience.
• Experience delivering ESIA groundwater studies to lender standards.
• Demonstrated project management across multiple projects.
• SACNASP registration or eligibility.
• Willingness to travel within Africa for fieldwork and client work.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day groundwater scope delivery including planning, budgets, programme, client liaison and quality of output.
• Deliver aquifer-scale groundwater resource assessments, including conceptual site models, recharge and yield estimation, abstraction and dewatering assessment, aquifer testing and interpretation, and groundwater quality characterisation.
• Prepare groundwater specialist studies and management plans for ESIA, in line with international best practice and country-specific requirements.
• Deliver groundwater components of environmental and social due diligence for transactions, including contamination and abstraction risk.
• Contribute to corporate water risk and stewardship work, including site and catchment water risk analysis.
• Provide first-line technical direction and review to junior consultants, and mentor them as they develop.
• Support proposals, technical scoping and cost estimating, and maintain client relationships to build repeat business.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hydrogeology

Honours/Master's beneficial

Tools

Groundwater modelling (MODFLOW/FEFLOW)

IFC Standards knowledge

Job description

About The Role

ERM is looking for a motivated hydrogeologist to join our growing Water Services team in South Africa. You will deliver groundwater projects across Africa for global clients, working across environmental and social impact assessment, transaction due diligence, capital project delivery and corporate sustainability.

ERM Water Services, South Africa

ERM is looking for a motivated hydrogeologist to join our growing Water Services team in South Africa. You will deliver groundwater projects across Africa for global clients, working across environmental and social impact assessment, transaction due diligence, capital project delivery and corporate sustainability.

This is an opportunity for a hydrogeologist at mid-career level to take real ownership of projects, managing delivery, directing junior team members, and building client relationships, within a global sustainability leader.

What You'll Do

• Manage the day-to-day delivery of groundwater scopes: planning, budgets, programme, client liaison and quality of output
• Deliver aquifer-scale groundwater resource assessments, including conceptual site models, recharge and yield estimation, abstraction and dewatering assessment, aquifer testing and interpretation, and groundwater quality characterisation
• Prepare groundwater specialist studies and management plans for ESIAs, in line with international best practice and country-specific requirements
• Deliver groundwater components of environmental and social due diligence for transactions, including contamination and abstraction risk
• Contribute to corporate water risk and stewardship work, including site and catchment water risk analysis
• Provide first-line technical direction and review to junior consultants, and mentor them as they develop
• Support proposals, technical scoping and cost estimating, and maintain client relationships to build repeat business

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree with Honours (Master's beneficial) in Hydrogeology, Geohydrology, Geology or a related earth science
• Seven or more years' consulting experience in hydrogeology, including hands-on delivery of aquifer-scale groundwater resource assessments
• Practical experience delivering groundwater studies for ESIAs prepared to lender standards, with a working understanding of the IFC Performance Standards and the Equator Principles
• Demonstrated project management in a multi-project environment, managing scope, budget and programme, and coordinating input from others
• Strong written and verbal communication, including report writing for technical and non-technical audiences
• Registration with SACNASP, or eligibility to register
• Willingness to travel within Africa for fieldwork and client work

Advantageous

• Experience in the mining sector, particularly mine water, dewatering or closure
• Numerical groundwater modelling capability, for example MODFLOW, FEFLOW or equivalent
• Interest in corporate sustainability and water stewardship, including reporting frameworks such as CSRD, TNFD, AWS and CDP

Who We Are

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world's leading organisations to create innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlock commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations. At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career.

ERM is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive, it is an essential part of what makes ERM a great place to build a career and helps us create better solutions for our clients.

We welcome talent from all backgrounds and provide equal opportunities for every candidate. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or need accommodations during the selection process, we're here to support you. Our commitment doesn't stop at hiring. Once you join us, we'll ensure you have the tools, support, and adjustments needed to succeed and feel a true sense of belonging. Learn more about our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DIB) efforts by visiting our website or exploring our 2026 Sustainability Report.