ESG Officer

About the Company

Step into a rare opportunity to join a technically complex investor-backed infrastructure project from the ground up. This project involves a renewable-energy wood pellet manufacturing facility that is currently in the early stages of construction and is actively moving toward commissioning and commercial operations within the next 2 years. The role offers exceptionally broad exposure to a complex biomass supply chain and industrial manufacturing within a pioneering renewable energy environment.

About the Role

The ESG Officer is responsible for developing implementing and maintaining the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) and Business Integrity Management System (BIMS) for the manufacturing plant. This vital position ensures strict compliance with local legislation and international sustainability frameworks such as the IFC Performance Standards. By managing environmental and social (E&S) risks maintaining certifications and engaging key stakeholders you will directly support a deep commitment to responsible forestry ethical operations and transparent reporting for global biomass energy markets.

Responsibilities

Environmental Stewardship

• Ensure absolute compliance with environmental legislation required permits and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conditions.
• Develop implement and maintain the facilitys ESMS policies processes and management plans including air emissions water use waste management noise and biodiversity protection.
• Monitor the sustainable sourcing of plantation forestry residues and ensure rigorous traceability across the entire supply chain.
• Support compliance with international sustainability frameworks and biomass certification schemes including FSC and SBP.
• Track plant-level environmental performance indicators such as GHG emissions energy efficiency and water footprint.
• Support climate-related risk assessments and targeted decarbonisation initiatives aligned with global renewable energy expectations.

Social Responsibility

• Promote safe fair and ethical working conditions in line with local labour laws and international best practices.
• Oversee occupational health and safety coordination in close collaboration with the Operations team.
• Support community engagement grievance mechanisms and social impact initiatives linked to forestry operations and plant activities.
• Ensure total respect for land rights community livelihoods and cultural considerations within forestry supply areas.
• Monitor contractor and supplier compliance with strict social standards including labour health safety and human rights expectations.

Governance & Compliance

• Support the implementation of robust governance practices ethical conduct and internal controls.
• Develop implement and maintain the plants BIMS including policies procedures and codes of conduct.
• Coordinate formal audits and third-party verifications related to sustainability certification and overall ESG performance.
• Maintain highly accurate compliance records documentation and reporting frameworks.
• Track evolving ESG regulations and changing customer requirements across international biomass and power generation markets.

Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

• Prepare comprehensive ESG sustainability and compliance reports for internal management external stakeholders and investors.
• Support disclosures aligned with recognised standards including GRI customer-specific ESG questionnaires and investor requirements such as PRIF-2.
• Act as a primary point of contact for regulators certification bodies auditors customers and community representatives.
• Provide valuable ESG input for tenders contracts and customer due diligence processes.
• Balance plant-based responsibilities with periodic travel to forestry sites and community locations for direct stakeholder interaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree (or similar) in Environmental Science Forestry Sustainability Engineering Social Sciences Safety or a related field.
• 5 years of dedicated experience in ESG environmental management sustainability or compliance within the manufacturing energy or forestry sectors.
• Strong operational knowledge of environmental permitting sustainability standards and ESG frameworks.
• Hands-on experience working with professional audits certifications and formal regulatory inspections.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills paired with strong organisational and analytical capabilities.
• Ability to secure a police clearance to qualify for a work permit if a non-local citizen.

Required Skills

• Uncompromising integrity and ethical judgement.
• Natural aptitude for stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Strong capability in proactive risk identification and mitigation.
• Sharp attention to detail and rigorous regulatory discipline.
• Ability to work independently within a fast-paced cross-functional environment.
• Proficiency in basic office IT systems including shared drives spreadsheets word processors and presentation applications.

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience working specifically within biomass renewable energy forestry or wood products industries.
• Familiarity with international sustainability certifications relevant to biomass and forestry such as FSC and SBP.
• Professional experience working in Southern Africa or similar regulatory and social contexts.
• A postgraduate qualification or professional certification in ESG sustainability or environmental management.