Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Ecology / Botany, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
  
• Experience: A minimum of 8 years of experience in ecological consulting (ESIA’s, gap assessments and ESDD’s), biodiversity assessment, and management, with specific expertise in IFC PS6 and Equator Principle implementation.
  
• Professional Registration: SACNASP registration is preferred.
  
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in ecological survey methodologies, GIS applications, and biodiversity assessment tools. Strong conceptual and analytical skills – both quantitative and qualitative. Familiarity with relevant software (e.g., R, ArcGIS) is an advantage.
  
• Client Interactions: Track record in selling and delivering consulting services to senior client representatives.
  

Project Management & Co-ordination:

• Lead and oversee biodiversity-related projects, ensuring compliance with IFC PS6 and other relevant environmental regulations and standards.
  
• Develop and implement project plans, timelines, and budgets, and ensure successful project delivery within allocated resources.
  
• Supervise junior ecologists and support their professional development.
  
• Understanding the inter-relationships between ERM services and policies and how these are applied within the clients’ business model.
  

Biodiversity Assessment:

• Conduct comprehensive biodiversity assessments, including ecological surveys, habitat assessments, and species inventories to identify potential impacts of projects.
  
• Analyse ecological data to inform project planning, decision-making, and mitigation strategies.
  

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with stakeholders, including community groups, government agencies, and NGOs, to promote biodiversity conservation initiatives and ensure the inclusion of local knowledge and perspectives.
  
• Prepare and deliver presentations, reports, and recommendations to clients and stakeholders on biodiversity management strategies.
  
• Contributing to our key local, regional and global clients and supporting the solutions ERM delivers for their Environmental and Social Governance and related challenges.
  
• Making use of effective working relationships within the business unit and participate in global technical communities to ensure strong network of resources.
  
• Establishing strong working relationships with clients through project delivery.
  
• Understanding how work of the project team and or practice community contributes to ERM’s success.
  

Mitigation and Management Strategies:

• Develop and implement effective biodiversity management plans and monitoring programs that align with industry best practices and IFC guidelines.
  
• Identify and propose mitigation measures for potential impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems associated with projects.
  

Research and Development:

• Stay updated on latest research trends, regulatory changes, and best practices related to biodiversity and ecology.
  
• Contribute to the development of innovative approaches and methodologies for assessing and managing biodiversity impacts.
  
• Sharing expertise and knowledge within the business unit and/or global practice area.
  

Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare technical reports, proposals and documents for regulatory compliance, stakeholder communication, and project evaluations.
  
• Ensure all documentation meets required quality standards and reflects the objectives and outcomes of biodiversity assessments.
  
• Applying client/sector knowledge when carrying out tasks associated with drafting project deliverables and/or proposals.
  

Health and Safety:

• Adhering to all ERM and client requirements, specifically those related to H&S and governance.
  
• Supervising subcontractors during fieldwork, ensuring they comply with ERM's Health & Safety policies and ABC code, and work is completed in line with project scope.