Position summary

SLR is seeking a Principal Environmental Consultant, Marine & Coastal ESIA, to provide technical and strategic leadership on complex marine Environmental and Social Impact Assessments from its Dubai office. This senior leadership role suits an established marine ESIA specialist with extensive experience delivering large-scale coastal and offshore projects in alignment with UAE and regional regulatory frameworks and international lender standards (IFC Performance Standards, EBRD Performance Requirements, Equator Principles, World Bank ESS). You will act as a technical authority within SLR's Middle East business, driving excellence in marine impact assessment, regulatory strategy, client engagement, and sector growth.

Why this role matters

This role ensures that major marine and coastal developments across the region are delivered responsibly and to international standards. By leading complex marine ESIAs and baseline programmes in highly sensitive coastal environments, and advising clients, regulators, and lenders, you help shape environmentally responsible development while growing SLR's marine and coastal practice in the Middle East.

Key responsibilities

• Technical leadership: Provide technical leadership on marine and coastal ESIA projects across the UAE, KSA, and wider MENA region, leading complex assessments for ports, offshore infrastructure, dredging and reclamation, marine outfalls, subsea cables and pipelines, offshore renewables, and coastal developments.
• Marine baselines: Direct marine baseline programmes (benthic ecology, coral reefs, seagrass, fisheries, marine mammals, water quality, hydrodynamics, sediment transport) and lead marine impact modelling and cumulative impact assessments.
• Advisory and interface: Act as primary technical advisor to clients, regulators, and lenders, and interface directly with UAE regulators, regional environmental agencies, and international financing institutions.
• Standards alignment: Align projects with international standards (IFC PS, World Bank ESS, EBRD PRs, Equator Principles) and provide strategic environmental risk advice at feasibility and concept design stage.
• Delivery and quality: Oversee the preparation, technical review, and submission of high-quality ESIA and permitting documentation, and lead multidisciplinary marine teams ensuring quality, consistency, and timely delivery.
• Growth and mentoring: Drive business development in the marine and coastal sector, including proposal leadership and client development, and mentor and develop junior and mid-level consultants.

Team and stakeholders

You will lead multidisciplinary marine teams within SLR's Middle East business and act as primary technical advisor to clients, UAE and regional regulators, and international financing institutions, while mentoring junior and mid-level consultants.

Key details

• Relocation: Attractive relocation support provided for international candidates.
• Travel: Willingness to travel across the Middle East and Africa; a valid driver's licence is required.

Requirements:

• 12+ years of experience in environmental consulting, with extensive marine ESIA leadership experience.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in Marine Science, Environmental Science, Oceanography, Coastal Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience delivering ESIAs for marine/coastal infrastructure projects, and strong knowledge of UAE and regional environmental permitting frameworks.
• DECCA (Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority) registration preferred but not mandatory.
• Strong working knowledge of international lender standards (IFC, World Bank, EBRD, and others).
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary technical teams, and a strong understanding of marine modelling, cumulative impacts, and coastal processes.
• Proven ability to manage complex regulatory and stakeholder environments, and demonstrated business development and proposal leadership.
• Fluent English (Arabic advantageous), willingness to travel across the Middle East and Africa, and a valid driver's licence.