Sustainability and Transformation Specialist (SOE Environment / ESG Frameworks)

MECS Africa; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

MECS Africa is seeking a senior specialist to drive ESG integration and transformation across the water sector. You will advise on strategy, monitor programmes, and translate policy into actionable plans.

The role focuses on sustainability integration, governance, and compliance to support funding and regulatory objectives. You will lead reporting, risk advisory, and stakeholder engagement within a multi-disciplinary team.

Qualifications

• B Degree (NQF7) in HR, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Business Administration, Corporate Governance or related field.
• Honours level (NQF8) qualification is advantageous.
• Minimum 8 years’ work experience, with 4 at practitioner level.
• Experience with ESG frameworks, environmental risk and impact management.
• Experience in Social Responsibility, Supplier development, B-BBEE scorecard management and verification.
• Exposure to EE and Skills Development planning, reporting and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Drive integration of sustainability and transformation into business strategy and operations.
• Lead development of ESG reporting frameworks and BBBEE scorecard tracking.
• Advise on risk management related to climate impact, resource efficiency and transformation risks.
• Coordinate internal and external transformation agendas in line with EE and B-BBEE acts.
• Champion stakeholder engagement and alignment with lenders and regulators.

Skills

ESG knowledge

Environmental risk management

Social responsibility

Supplier development

BBEE scorecard management

EE & Skills Development planning

Education

B Degree (NQF7) in related field

Honours level (NQF8) advantageous

Job description

Minimum Qualifications Required

• B Degree (NQF7) A degree in Human Resources, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Business Administration, Corporate Governance or a related field.
• A relevant Honour’s level (NQF8) qualification will be ADVANTAGOUS

Minimum Experience Required

• 8 years’ work experience, with 4 at practitioner’s level

Required Experience

• ESG frameworks ((Environmental, Social, and Governance) and reporting standards.
• Environmental risk and impact management.
• Practical experience in Social Responsibility, Supplier development, B-BBEE scorecard management and verification processes.
• Practical exposure to EE and Skills Development planning, reporting and compliance.

Advantageous Experience

• Sustainability and Transformation in SOE environment.
• Mega Infrastructure Environment.
• Sustainable Financing.

Sustainability Focus

To drive the integration of environmental and social sustainability principles into the business’s strategy, operations, and project delivery. This role provides expert advice to enhance ESG alignment, maintain compliance, and support national climate and sustainability commitments, thereby strengthening the business’s credibility in securing funding.

Transformation Focus

To support and coordinate internal and external transformation agendas in line with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act, Employment Equity (EE) legislation, and other relevant legislations and sector transformation charters. The role ensures the business not only complies but also contributes meaningfully to socio-economic redress and empowerment within the water sector value chain.

Strategy Integration, Execution and Monitoring

Develop and maintain a Sustainable Developmental and Transformation Framework, and a medium-term Execution Plan, ensuring equal emphasis on ESG priorities and transformation objectives, informed by ESG materiality analysis and transformation diagnostics and aligned to the business Strategy. Translating high-level strategy into clear programmes, milestones, and performance measures. Monitor the implementation of the Execution plan, evaluating progress and performance, recommending adjustments as required.

Analysis and Risk Advisory

Conduct risk assessments related to key elements of sustainability and transformation, including climate impact management, resource efficiency, as well as transformation risks such as B-BBEE non-performance, Employment Equity gaps, skills pipeline risks, supplier transformation underperformance, socio-economic impact delivery risks, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Interprets risk implications and highlights key considerations to support informed planning, prioritisation and risk mitigation decisions. Develop and maintain an organisational transformation risk register aligned to legislative requirements (B-BBEE, EE, Skills Development Act, etc.) and organisational targets.

Specialist coordination and advice

Lead the internal collaboration and advice on the development and integration of sustainability and transformation plans (including diversity, inclusion and gender mainstreaming initiatives) aligned to all operational impacts and lender obligations. Act as the organisation's sustainability and transformation advocate and champion by chairing the EESDC and sustainability committees, thereby fostering awareness, accountability, and commitment to organisational transformation and sustainability objectives across all divisions.

Compliance management

Lead the integration of legislative and other compliance requirements, such as BBBEE, into the sustainability and transformation work portfolio. Coordinate associated monitoring, evaluation, and verification processes and provide recommendations to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.

Integrated reporting

Design an integrated reporting framework using appropriate ESG / sustainability and transformation metrics. Develop and maintain organisational transformation dashboards, including BBBEE scorecard tracking, Supplier development, Employment Equity progress, and skills development performance. Investigate requirements and implement an electronic reporting platform to enable transparent and efficient sustainability reporting to all stakeholders, including the Board, Lenders, DWS, Employees, and Regulators.