Principal Consultant - Social and Environmental Specialist (m/w/d)

As the world’s leading sustainability consulting firm, ERM is uniquely positioned to contribute to the environment and society through the expertise and energy of our employees worldwide. Sustainability is what we do, and is at the heart of both our service offerings and how we operate our business.

For our people, our vision means attracting, inspiring, developing and rewarding our people to work with the best clients and on the biggest challenges, thus creating valuable careers. We achieve our vision in a sustainable manner by maintaining and living our ERM values that include Accountability, Caring for our People, Client Focus, Collaboration, Empowerment, and Transparency.

Location: Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg or Berlin

Job Type: Permanent, full-time

Key Responsibilities:

• Liaise with expert peers within client organizations at both corporate and project levels, providing high-level expertise and advisory services to project teams. Focus on identifying, assessing, and managing social risks in accordance with domestic regulations, best practices, and guidelines from international financial institutions (IFIs).

• Lead the preparation of Social Impact Assessments and other required social documentation, ensuring alignment with international standards, including the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESS), IFC guidelines, and other global frameworks.

• Provide actionable recommendations to mitigate social risks and optimize project benefits.

• Ensure human rights considerations are central to the project’s social planning.

• Offer expert guidance on the development and implementation of Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) and livelihood restoration strategies, ensuring compliance with international best practices and project-specific needs. Advise on conflict-sensitive approaches to land acquisition that respect local rights and minimize displacement impacts.

• Support the design and implementation of stakeholder engagement plans and grievance mechanisms, ensuring active and transparent engagement with local communities, authorities, and key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Incorporate culturally sensitive strategies to ensure the inclusion of underrepresented groups and marginalized communities, particularly in emerging markets within sectors like mining, energy, and nature-based solutions.

• Provide training and capacity-building support to internal teams, contractors, and key stakeholders on topics such as social impact management, human rights, and community relations. Focus on knowledge transfer and skills development in emerging markets, empowering local stakeholders and teams to drive social performance improvement.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years of international experience in consulting roles, with a focus on social impact assessment, human rights, indigenous peoples, land acquisition, and livelihood restoration.
• A proven track record of working with international financial institutions (World Bank, IFC, EBRD) and applying their social safeguard policies.
• Extensive experience providing consultancy services on large-scale capital projects, particularly in key sectors such as energy, sustainable finance, mining, and nature-based solutions.
• Expert knowledge of social safeguard policies and standards from institutions such as the World Bank, IFC, and other international financial institutions (IFIs).
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and leading socially innovative solutions that enhance project outcomes and community benefits in emerging markets.
• A strong consulting background with the ability to independently lead projects and provide strategic advice.
• Expertise in stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution in multicultural settings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Benefits:

• Work at one of Germany's top employers: Checkout Kununu.
• Attractive salary + profit sharing: We value your performance.
• Flexible working hours: Customize your workday.
• 30 days of vacation: Generous relaxation time for your work-life balance.
• Company pension plan: For a secure future.
• Deutschland-Ticket and Bahncard 50: Sustainable travel within the country.
• Home office equipment: Efficient work from home.
• Workcation and sabbatical models: Time off for personal development.
• Job bike program: Sustainable mobility option.
• Diverse work models: Onsite, hybrid, or remote as agreed.
• EGYM Wellpass: Access to more than 8,000 sports studios.
• Additional benefits: EAP, workplace glasses, corporate benefits, and more.

To Apply:

If you share our values, want to contribute to a better tomorrow and are interested in this role, please send us your CV, in German or English, by submitting your application via our careers page.

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