Senior Sociologist, Southern Africa Water Projects

CDM Smith; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking a Sociologist to lead the baseline socioeconomic assessment for the Lesotho to Botswana Water Transfer Scheme feasibility study in Southern Africa. You will design and oversee data collection, assess affordability, land access, and ensure gender and social safeguards are integrated into route confirmation and preliminary design.

Work closely with land survey, GIS, economics and engineering teams, coordinate stakeholder engagement, and ensure alignment with MDB safeguards.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social sciences required.
• Minimum 15 years experience in social impact assessments and resettlement for large projects in Southern Africa.
• Familiarity with MDB environmental and social safeguards policies and laws in L-BWT State Parties.
• Knowledge of gender issues and inclusivity.

Responsibilities

• Develop and obtain approval for socio-economic assessment methodology.
• Design field surveys, questionnaires, stakeholder interviews, data-quality controls.
• Analyze income, expenditure, affordability, water consumption, service levels, poverty and demographics.
• Support population estimates, demand projections, willingness-to-pay analysis.
• Assess social impacts related to route refinement, displacement, land acquisition.
• Coordinate with GIS, engineering, ESIA teams and integrate social recommendations.
• Support stakeholder analysis and landowner engagement.
• Ensure alignment with social laws and MDB safeguards.

Skills

Socioeconomic survey

Social-impact assessment

Gender & inclusion

Integrated findings

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Master's degree in social sciences

Job description

CDM Smith is seeking a Sociologist to lead the baseline socioeconomic assessment for the Lesotho to Botswana Water Transfer Scheme feasibility study in Southern Africa. You will design and oversee data collection, assess affordability, land access, and ensure gender and social safeguards are integrated into route confirmation and preliminary design.

Work closely with land survey, GIS, economics and engineering teams, coordinate stakeholder engagement, and ensure alignment with MDB safeguards.