Planning and Assessment (ESIA) - Principal Environmental Consultant

About the Company:

SLR is expanding its global footprint. As such, we are continuously looking for talented people to join our team and add value to Our Business. We are particularly interested in adding team members to our Planning and Assessment team in Morocco.

We are recognised as one of the global leaders in environmental and advisory solutions, helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals. SLR has over 100 offices in 13 different countries worldwide, and we actively encourage collaboration and learning among the many disciplines and services we offer globally.

At SLR, you can expect a flexible and supportive 'One Team’ culture that is at the heart of our business and ensures that we offer a rewarding workplace. You will be able to work alongside industry leaders and specialists on interesting projects and be part of a team that makes a difference.

Job Purpose:

We are seeking a Principal Environmental Consultant who will play a pivotal role in driving the strategic development and expansion of international environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) services in North Africa across the renewables, energy, infrastructure, and mining sectors. This position will focus on identifying and securing new opportunities aligned with international lender requirements, forging strategic partnerships, and positioning the business as a trusted provider of high-quality ESIA and sustainability advisory services in emerging North African markets. The role will also involve supporting the integration of international best practices into project delivery, contributing to thought leadership to deliver lender-compliant, multidisciplinary projects.

The Principal Environmental Consultant will also serve as Project Director on key international assignments, providing high-level oversight to ensure that all deliverables are technically sound, meet client expectations, on projects in alignment with local regulatory frameworks and international lender standards (IFC Performance Standards, EBRD Performance Requirements, Equator Principles, World Bank ESS). The role involves leading multidisciplinary teams through the full ESIA lifecycle, from initial planning and baseline assessments to impact analysis, mitigation development, stakeholder engagement, and final reporting and submission. In this capacity, the Principal Environmental Consultant will be responsible for upholding rigorous quality assurance and risk management standards and ensuring timely, within-budget, and scope-aligned project delivery. A core focus will be on building and maintaining strong client relationships through clear communication, technical excellence, and proactive responsiveness to project needs.

The role requires a proactive, solutions-driven individual with demonstrated experience in managing people and large-scale and complex environmental and social projects and engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership on ESIA projects across North Africa.
• Lead complex ESIAs for renewables, energy, infrastructure and mining sectors.
• Act as primary technical advisor to clients, regulators, and lenders
• Interface directly with regulators, regional environmental agencies, and international financing institutions.
• Align projects with international standards (IFC PS, World Bank ESS, EBRD PRs, Equator Principles).
• Provide strategic environmental risk advice at the feasibility and concept design stage.
• Oversee preparation, technical review, and submission of high-quality ESIA and permitting documentation.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely delivery
• Drive business development within the ESIA space, including proposal leadership and client development.

What We Are Looking For:

• 12+ years of experience in environmental consulting, with extensive ESIA leadership experience.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental management, Environmental Science, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience delivering ESIAs for renewable, infrastructure, energy and mining projects.
• Strong North Africa knowledge and local environmental permitting frameworks.
• Strong working knowledge of international lender standards (IFC, World Bank, EBRD, etc.)
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary technical teams
• Strong understanding of marine modelling, cumulative impacts, and coastal processes
• Proven ability to manage complex regulatory and stakeholder environments
• Demonstrated experience in business development and proposal leadership
• Fluent in English (Arabic and/or French advantageous)
• Willingness to travel across North Africa
• Should have a valid driver's license

Why Join SLR?

• Lead technically complex, regionally significant marine projects
• Influence sustainable coastal development in rapidly evolving environments
• Work within a global network of marine and sustainability experts
• Thrive in a collaborative, flexible One Team culture
• Attractive relocation support for international candidates
• Play a defining role in growing SLR’s ESIA capability in Morocco

Technical / Behavioural Requirements:

• Exceptional technical report writing and critical review capability
• Strong project and financial management skills (budgets, risk management, delivery oversight)
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness
• Advanced stakeholder engagement and regulatory negotiation skills
• Ability to operate confidently at senior client and regulator level
• Strong leadership presence and mentoring capability
• Ability to manage multiple complex workstreams in a fast-paced environment
• High attention to detail and commitment to technical excellence

SLR’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered part of the recruitment process. We actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply. SLR is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity and inclusion.