ESG Officer

About the Company

This opportunity sits within an investor-backed infrastructure project that is being built from the ground up and has significant technical complexity. The business is developing a renewable-energy wood pellet manufacturing plant that is still in its early construction phase and is expected to move into commissioning and commercial operations within the next two years. The role provides wide exposure to a demanding biomass supply chain and industrial manufacturing in a pioneering clean-energy setting.

About the Role

The ESG Officer will own the design, rollout, and upkeep of the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) and the Business Integrity Management System (BIMS) for the manufacturing facility. The position is central to ensuring compliance with local laws and recognised international sustainability standards, including IFC Performance Standards. Through active management of environmental and social risks, certification requirements, and stakeholder relationships, the role supports responsible forestry, ethical business conduct, and transparent reporting for international biomass energy markets.

Environmental Stewardship

• Make sure the site fully complies with environmental laws, permit conditions, and requirements set through the Environmental Impact Assessment process.
• Create, put into practice, and continuously improve the plant’s ESMS policies, procedures, and management plans covering air emissions, water consumption, waste handling, noise control, and biodiversity protection.
• Oversee sustainable sourcing of plantation forestry residues and maintain strict traceability throughout the supply chain.
• Help ensure alignment with international sustainability standards and biomass certification systems, including FSC and SBP.
• Monitor plant environmental metrics such as greenhouse-gas emissions, energy efficiency, and water footprint.
• Assist with climate-risk assessments and decarbonisation initiatives that support global renewable-energy expectations.

Social Responsibility

• Encourage safe, fair, and ethical workplace practices aligned with local labour law and accepted international standards.
• Coordinate occupational health and safety activities in close partnership with the Operations team.
• Support community engagement efforts, grievance processes, and social impact work connected to forestry operations and plant activities.
• Ensure full respect for land rights, community livelihoods, and cultural sensitivities in forestry supply areas.
• Track contractor and supplier compliance with social requirements covering labour, health and safety, and human rights.

Governance & Compliance

• Support strong governance practices, ethical behaviour, and internal control systems.
• Develop, implement, and maintain the plant’s BIMS, including policies, procedures, and codes of conduct.
• Coordinate formal audits and third-party checks linked to sustainability, certification, and ESG performance.
• Maintain accurate compliance files, records, and reporting documentation.
• Keep up to date with changing ESG regulations and customer expectations in international biomass and power-generation markets.

Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

• Prepare detailed ESG, sustainability, and compliance reports for management, external stakeholders, and investors.
• Support reporting and disclosures based on recognised frameworks such as GRI, customer ESG questionnaires, and investor requirements like PRIF-2.
• Serve as a key contact for regulators, certification bodies, auditors, customers, and community representatives.
• Provide ESG input for tenders, contracts, and customer due-diligence processes.
• Be prepared for a site-based role with occasional travel to forestry locations and community areas for direct stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent qualification, in Environmental Science, Forestry, Sustainability, Engineering, Social Sciences, Safety, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of focused experience in ESG, environmental management, sustainability, or compliance within manufacturing, energy, or forestry.
• Practical knowledge of environmental permitting, sustainability standards, and ESG frameworks.
• Experience handling audits, certifications, and formal regulatory inspections.
• Strong writing, speaking, organising, and analytical skills.
• Ability to obtain a police clearance for work-permit purposes if you are not a local citizen.

Required Skills

• High ethical standards and sound judgement.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement ability.
• Capability to identify and manage risks proactively.
• Excellent attention to detail and regulatory discipline.
• Comfort working independently in a fast-moving, cross-functional setting.
• Competence with everyday office software such as shared drives, spreadsheets, word processing tools, and presentation software.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in biomass, renewable energy, forestry, or wood products.
• Exposure to sustainability certifications relevant to biomass and forestry, such as FSC and SBP.
• Professional experience in Southern Africa or similar regulatory and social environments.
• Postgraduate study or a professional credential in ESG, sustainability, or environmental management.