Talent Acquisition Specialist

Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm in South Africa is seeking a motivated Talent Acquisition Specialist. In this hands-on role, you will manage the entire recruitment lifecycle, working closely with hiring managers to attract top talent. Ideal candidates will have a degree in HR or a related field and proven experience in recruitment, preferably within engineering or consulting. You'll thrive in a fast-paced environment, establishing relationships with stakeholders and candidates alike. Join us to help shape high-performing teams responsible for impactful infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in talent acquisition or recruitment in engineering, construction, or consultancy.
• Experience supporting international recruitment and working with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle from briefing to onboarding.
• Screen, interview, and assess candidates against specific competencies.
• Coordinate interviews and maintain accurate recruitment records.
• Contribute to employer branding and talent engagement initiatives.

Skills

Strong sourcing capability

Excellent communication skills

Stakeholder management

High attention to detail

Education

Degree or qualification in Human Resources, Business, or Psychology

Job description

The Vacancy

About The Company

At Nicholas O'Dwyer, sustainability is at the core of our work. If you are looking to advance your career in a socially responsible company, which has a proven track record over 90 years, and is committed to creating a sustainable planet, we invite you to be part of our team.

Our mission is to provide innovative and reliable solutions using cutting edge technology and expertise, to ensure project success and employee satisfaction. We deliver infrastructure projects in water, wastewater, transportation, civil and structural engineering, flood protection, and energy including renewables. With headquarters in Ireland, we also operate in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

As part of the RSK Group, an amalgamation of over 200 companies with more than 17,000 employees, we benefit from a global network of opportunities while retaining our brand and autonomy.

About The Role

As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, you will partner closely with hiring managers, project directors, and senior leadership to deliver end‑to‑end recruitment solutions across Ireland and international markets. This is a hands‑on role suited to someone who thrives in a fast‑paced consultancy environment and enjoys building strong candidate and stakeholder relationships.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle from role briefing through to offer acceptance and onboarding
• Partner with hiring managers to define role requirements, timelines, and sourcing strategies
• Proactively source candidates through LinkedIn, professional networks, referrals, and direct search
• Screen, interview, and assess candidates against role‑specific technical and behavioural competencies
• Coordinate interviews, feedback, and offer processes in a timely and professional manner
• Support recruitment for international projects, secondments, and framework appointments
• Prepare and issue job advertisements aligned with Nicholas O’Dwyer branding and employer value proposition
• Maintain accurate recruitment records, metrics, and reporting (e.g. time‑to‑hire, sourcing effectiveness, offer acceptance rates)
• Support talent pooling, succession planning, and proactive pipeline development for key technical roles
• Coordinate end‑to‑end onboarding activities in collaboration with HR and Operations, acting as a key point of contact for new starters to ensure a smooth, well‑structured, and positive onboarding experience.
• Contribute to employer branding and talent engagement initiatives across digital platforms
• Ensure recruitment activities comply with employment legislation, internal policies, and best practice
• Support continuous improvement of recruitment processes and candidate experience

Key Requirements

• Degree or qualification in Human Resources, Business, Psychology, or a related discipline
• Proven experience in talent acquisition or recruitment, ideally within engineering, construction, or consultancy environments
• Strong sourcing capability, particularly using LinkedIn and direct search methodologies
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple roles and competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• High attention to detail with a structured and professional approach
• Experience supporting international recruitment and working with diverse stakeholder groups is desirable

If you are a motivated Talent Acquisition professional with a passion for building high‑performing teams and supporting impactful infrastructure projects, we would be delighted to hear from you. Join Nicholas O'Dwyer and play a key role in shaping the future of our growing international consultancy.

About Us

Our mission is to deliver sustainable solutions that transform communities and bring about lasting positive change. Through a blend of expertise, innovation and global dedication, we envision a world where sustainable engineering protects growing communities.

Nicholas O'Dwyer provides professional services in engineering design, project management, environment and planning, construction supervision and technical and contract advisory. We are one of the most respected Irish consultancies operating in local and international markets, providing professional services to public‑ and private‑sector clients.

Whether in Ireland, the UK or internationally, we understand and solve major challenges associated with delivering and adapting infrastructure for an increasing global population while maintaining a sustainable environment for future generations.

Nicholas O'Dwyer is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business, capable of weathering external challenges, while also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.

Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people‑first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company.

If you're passionate about making a difference, join us as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all. Do you have what it takes?