Ecologist - Associate Consultant at WSP in Africa

Job Description

• The role will be ideally suited to an established consulting professional with a high level of technical knowledge, who enjoys working in a close-knit team with international reach, and has a demonstrable track record as a biodiversity technical lead, with strong project management skills, and good client relationships.
• As a associate wetland ecologist, you will provide technical direction and support on a wide variety of proposals and projects, both in support of South African permitting processes, as well as for international lender requirements (ESIA, and lender due diligence).  You will contribute to the growth of people within the team through mentoring, oversight of deliverables, and display good commercial awareness - with an ability to win work and deliver on time, and within budget. The role will be office-based with opportunities to work from home, and will also require periods of working away from home whilst on site.

Key Responsibilities:

• Scoping and costing biodiversity aspects of complex EIA projects both domestic and international, leveraging your networks to assemble appropriate multidisciplinary teams of internal and external specialists.
• Conducting focused wetland species and ecosystem studies to characterise site level project impacts and identify mitigation opportunities.
• Deliver wetland offset strategies in support of Water Use License Applications.
• Conduct Critical Habitat assessments and Ecosystem Services studies, to satisfy IFC Performance Standard 6 requirements.
• Write accurate and concise baseline reports, impact assessments, management plans, and offset strategies to a high standard, for submission in support of Environmental Authorisations, Water Use License Applications, and International Lender requirements.
• Conduct Environmental and Social due diligence audits of biodiversity studies for major infrastructure projects, against lender requirements/performance standards.
• Build the teams capacity in nature-based financial disclosure space, working in close liaison with our global colleagues.
• Oversee and manage a variety of projects in accordance with sound project management principles; including revenue reporting and invoicing, subcontractor coordination and management, and client relationship management.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external clients through project delivery.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the Biodiversity team and contribute to and drive the annual business strategy.
• Manage and be accountable for meeting the annual revenue target for the Biodiversity team.
• Grow team technical capacity through mentorship, and act as line manager for team members.
• Manage the weekly resourcing pressures, opportunities and business administration aspects.
• Contribute to a positive work environment.

Health and Safety:

• Display behaviour consistent with the company’s health, safety, environmental and quality vision, and policies by influencing those around you.
• Contributing to the identification of SHEQ risks and driving processes to achieve Zero Harm
• Embracing, displaying, and promoting the company values and ensuring a safe working environment is always maintained.  

Qualifications

• Relevant BSc (Hons) Degree preferred; Higher degree advantageous.
• Must have full Pr.Sci.Nat. i.e. a paid-up registered member of SACNASP, within a relevant ecology discipline.
• 10+ years practical experience in a similar role, including:
• Demonstrable experience of applying lender requirements, particularly IFC Performance Standard 6.
• Demonstrable experience with critical habitats assessments.
• Experience in project management
• Experience in managing/supervising individuals or teams
• Membership of other relevant professional or voluntary organisation/s advantageous.
• High levels of flexibility and motivation.
• Full driving licence and Valid Passport essential.

Key Competencies and Generic Skills:

• Subject matter expert in South African biodiversity and offsetting.
• Strong (proven) project management and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills including strong technical report writing and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and organisational skills.
• Attention to detail and the ability to deliver work on time.
• Ability to manage personal time and productivity under pressure, understanding personal fiscal responsibility and productivity in a consulting environment.
• Strong understanding of the Microsoft software suite. Other software literacy beneficial (e.g. ArcGIS, Google Earth).