Environmental Specialist
EDF Renewables
- Cape Town, Western Cape
- Permanent
- Full-time
- To maintain a full environmental compliance system across the departments within the organization.
- Support Project Developers who are managing EIA processes for new renewable energy projects on the mitigation of key environmental risks.
- Anticipate compliance with IFC Performance Standards from the start of the project development phase.
- Support Project Developers and EAP's on the drafting of the EMPr.
- Stay informed of any changes to South African environmental legislation, policies, and guidelines that may have affect the development of renewable energy projects.
- Assist the Project Development team in devising appropriate biodiversity offset where required.
- Collect data and research on biodiversity topics in order to create a legal database for the company.
- Support the Project Team to close any gaps on the environmental side with regards to Lenders due diligence and/or compliance with IFC Performance Standards.
- Adapt the environmental section of EDF R's generic Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) to reflect the project context with assistance from the PM.
- Develop and manage a checklist to ensure compliance with all pre-construction EA conditions and EMPr mitigation measures.
- Manage the contracts with the appointed external ECO and ESO.
- Review ECO and ESO reports and propose, in consultation with the Project Implementation team, workable solutions to any challenges raised by the ECO.
- Assist the Project Manager in executing the recommendations stipulated in the EMPr.
- Support EDF R's Asset Management team to ensure that all assets are managed according to the environmental conditions included in the Project ESMS, EMPr, EA, and all other applicable approvals.
- Bachelor of Science/Social Degree in Environmental Science/Management, Geography, or related qualification.
- Candidate SACNASP / EAPASA certification.
- Bachelor of Science/Social Honours Degree in Environmental Science, Geography, or related qualification.
- Professional SACNASP / EAPASA certification.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, such as experience as an Environmental Assessment Practitioner, Environmental Control Officer, Environmental Officer, or a similar position.
- At least 8 years of relevant work experience, such as experience as an Environmental Assessment Practitioner, Environmental Control Officer, Environmental Officer, Environmental Specialist, Biodiversity Manager, or a similar position.
- Experience in the Renewable Energy sector would be an advantage.
- Excellent working knowledge of NEMA and associated environmental guidelines, laws and regulations.
- Experience in working with the IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles.
- Experience in environmental monitoring, compliance auditing, and contractor management.
- Good communication skills.
- Speaks and writes English fluently. Good knowledge of another language is an advantage.
- Good report writing ability.
- Analytical thinking with focus on customer (business units) and goal achievement.
- Well-versed in the use and application of Microsoft Office software.
- Good communication skills, ability to collaborate with various team members across departments, ability to adapt and be flexible - open to change and learning from experiences, and problem-solving skills - identify solutions and assist in providing sound decisions to address challenges.
- Ability to manage and supervise external team members on environmental processes.