Environment and Social Lead

Job Details

Job Dimensions

The Company

Innovo Projects (previously ASGC UK) was established in 2015, to further establish and strengthen relationships with partners in the UK and access export credit facilities.

The team specializes in arranging export credit finance, supported by various Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), for critical infrastructure projects in emerging markets. The company fulfils this role by putting together all the necessary components of a project, from design and engineering through to construction and commissioning, and organizing an export finance facility on behalf of the project owner to fund its delivery.

Historically focusing on large infrastructure projects in emerging countries in Africa and the Middle East, including roads, bridges, sanitation, water supply, hospitals, airports, amongst others, the company portfolio is continuously expanding into new areas and new markets.

About the Job

We are expanding our project footprint throughout Africa and are seeking a dedicated and experienced Environmental & Social (E&S) Lead with experience working in emerging countries (West Africa preferred), on projects financed by Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) / Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), to join our team.

We are present in several countries in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, with offices in Dubai (UAE), London (UK), Dakar (Senegal), and Luanda (Angola). As part of our international team this position will predominantly focus on West Africa, with opportunities for the right candidate to support a number of other projects in Africa, and further afield.

The role shall be based in either our UK (London) or Senegal (Dakar) office.

Note: Candidates willing to relocate shall also be considered.

Role Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Environment and Social (E&S), and working closely with Country Manager(s), as E&S Lead you will play a crucial role in managing E&S risks in Innovo's expanding project portfolio.

This position involves identifying, mitigating, and managing E&S impacts and ensuring compliance to international standards such as the IFC Performance Standards, WBG EHS Guidelines and the Equator Principles.

The role is responsible for ensuring that Innovo projects deliver on their E&S commitments and obligations throughout the entire project lifecycle. The E&S Lead shall effectively manage internal and external E&S resources, proactive engage and manage relationships with all stakeholders, and ensure that our projects continue to meet the relevant local and international E&S standards.

This role is seen as an integral part of our E&S team, with West Africa being one of our fastest growing markets with numerous projects in the pipeline. Managing projects and developing the E&S team in this region will be a key focus of this role, in ensuring that all projects are planned and implemented effectively and in line with lender requirements.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities

Specific tasks would include:

• Lead on management of the E&S aspects of projects by fulfilling the planning, implementation, and compliance requirements, including but not limited to:
  • Initial screening / due diligence of environmental, social, and human rights risks and impacts of potential projects against local regulations and relevant international standards and guidelines during early project screening / development.
  • Identification key impacts, risk and opportunities associated with projects to inform the development of scopes and focus areas for E&S assessments.
  • Develop clear scopes for Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), and specialist studies, and manages the consultant selection, contracting, and management processes, including ongoing quality assurance.
  • Lead and manage all practices relating to development and implementation of project-specific E&S assessment/documentation including, but not limited to Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Resettlement Action Plans (RAP), amongst others, and Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS) including Construction and/or Operation Environmental and Social Management Plans, and executing on Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAPs).
  • Prepare and / or review project technical reports and other outputs with quality assurance.
  • Coordination with construction and HSE teams and contractors to ensure Projects E&S requirements are planned and implemented effectively during the construction and operational period.
  • Compliance auditing ensuring compliance with approved management plans, country environmental legislation, and relevant international standards.
  • Managing the reporting process for collating environmental performance data and reporting to Lenders.
• Ensure implementation and monitoring of different E&S commitments and activities required for project compliance.
• Support the development and implementation of our ESMS, as well as clients/contractors in developing their E&S management systems through knowledge transfer and training.
• Conduct internal audits on ESMS as required.
• Keep track of upcoming regulatory requirements in the region, as well as the evolving approach of International Financial Institutions to E&S.
• Lead and develop more junior team members; maintain a positive and learning environment, add value to individuals, and assist them in their professional growth.
• Support and training of local teams in lender’s E&S requirements.
• Develop and manage good and effective relationships with lenders (ECAs/FIs), Clients, Consultants, and Contractors.
• Undertake site visits and participate in team meetings with partners, stakeholders, and project staff as required.
• Represent Innovo Projects in external meetings, industry events, and fora on E&S risk management.
• Travelling locally and internationally when required.

Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge & Skills

• University degree within environmental/social science, biology, environmental economics / engineering, or other related field (advanced degree preferred).
• More than 10 years of professional experience, with at least 7 in E&S assessments, such as ESIA development, EHS audits, and E&S due diligence and monitoring work of infrastructure projects, preferably with site implementation experience in Africa, in accordance with local regulations and international standards, specifically IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, and WBG EHS Guidelines.
• Excellent communication skills (spoken and written) in French, as well as proficiency in English is non-negotiable.
• Proven results from working experience in the West Africa region will be an asset.
• Experience in project management, including working independently or leading small teams and working with senior stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of, and practical implementation experience working with local E&S permitting processes, international E&S standards including the Equator Principles, IFC Performance Standards and WB EHS Guidelines, ILO standards, and Human Rights instruments.
• Experience in land acquisition aspects, resettlement, and livelihood restoration management at different levels will be an asset.
• Experience in leading stakeholder engagements and handling social conflicts is an asset.
• Experience in undertaking Environmental and Social Due Diligence to international standards, or performing role as lender independent advisor, is an asset.
• Strong abilities in Microsoft Office (Excel, Power Point, Word) is essential.
• GIS capabilities / PowerBI, is an asset.

Personal qualities

• Result-oriented with a structured, proactive, pragmatic, and efficient work style.
• Capacity to work independently, as well as in teams.
• Flexible and willing to travel.
• Strong interpersonal skills and motivation to achieve results through collaborative and constructive engagement with team members, clients, banks and financial institutions.
• Proactive leader within the team, being able to build relationships at all levels, and coach/mentor those team members around them.
• Ensures administrative efficiency, proper procedure, implementation of policies.

We know that diversity contributes to better results and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.