Position summary

SLR is seeking an experienced Principal ESIA Consultant to lead and manage Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) projects across the Middle East, Africa, and wider international markets. The successful candidate will manage multidisciplinary ESIA projects in accordance with international lender requirements and national regulatory frameworks, bringing strong technical depth, excellent project management, and the ability to lead teams, engage with clients and regulators, and deliver high-quality environmental and social advisory services across sectors from renewable energy and desalination to power, water, ports, transport, and major infrastructure.

Why this role matters

This role leads the environmental and social assessments that make major, internationally financed projects viable and responsible. By managing complex ESIA projects to IFC, Equator Principles, and DFI standards, and by leading multidisciplinary specialist teams, you help clients and lenders deliver sustainable development outcomes across some of the region's most significant infrastructure and energy projects.

Key responsibilities

• ESIA leadership: Lead and manage multidisciplinary ESIA projects from inception to completion, acting as Project Director and/or Technical Lead with strategic oversight, quality assurance, and coaching.
• Lender standards: Manage projects in accordance with international lender standards, including IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, World Bank ESS, EBRD Performance Requirements, and other DFI requirements.
• Specialist coordination: Coordinate specialist technical teams across biodiversity, social, air quality, noise, climate change, water, marine, cultural heritage, and engineering.
• Due diligence and permitting: Lead environmental and social due diligence, screening, audits, feasibility studies, and strategic environmental assessments, and manage environmental permitting and regulatory approvals across jurisdictions.
• Stakeholder interface: Interface directly with clients, lenders, regulators, government agencies, and project stakeholders, and oversee the preparation and quality assurance of ESIA reports and management plans.
• Continuous improvement: Drive continuous improvement in technical delivery, including methodologies, quality systems, technical guidance, and best practice.
• Commercial and people management: Manage project programmes, budgets, commercial performance, and resource allocation, support business development, and mentor and develop junior consultants and emerging leaders.

Team and stakeholders

You will lead multidisciplinary project teams within SLR's International E&S team and interface with clients, lenders, Development Finance Institutions, regulators, and government agencies, while mentoring junior consultants, project managers, and emerging technical leaders.

Key details

• Travel: Travel across the Middle East, Africa, and internationally as required.

Requirements:

• Minimum 15 years of experience in environmental consulting, impact assessment, or environmental and social advisory services.
• Bachelor's or postgraduate degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Ecology, Geography, Engineering, Natural Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience managing ESIA projects in accordance with IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, and DFI requirements, and projects financed by international lenders, DFIs, and commercial banks.
• Strong understanding of environmental permitting and regulatory approval processes.
• Broad sector experience across renewable energy, desalination, power generation, transmission and distribution, industrial developments, water infrastructure, transport, ports, and major infrastructure.
• Experience within the GCC and wider MENA region preferred (not essential).
• Strong project management capability (programme, budget, and commercial management), proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage concurrent projects, and experience managing client relationships and supporting business development.
• Excellent report writing, technical review, and communication skills, strong commercial awareness, fluent written and spoken English, and willingness to travel internationally.