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Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Hybrid
Principal Consultant – Resettlement (Africa)
Create lasting social impact. Shape the future of responsible development. Lead with purpose.
ERM is looking for an inspiring, strategic, and deeply experienced Principal Consultant – Resettlement to help lead our growing Capital Project Delivery team across Africa. This is a senior, high‑visibility role for a recognised expert in resettlement and social performance — someone who thrives on complexity, influences executive‑level decisions, and is ready to shape ERM’s resettlement practice across the region.
If you are driven by meaningful impact, passionate about community wellbeing, and motivated to guide some of the most challenging and transformative projects on the continent, this role offers the platform to do your best work.
What You’ll Do
As a senior leader in our team, you will take ownership of high‑impact, multi‑disciplinary assignments across Sub‑Saharan Africa, including:
Leading strategic resettlement programmes — from involuntary resettlement and land acquisition to livelihood restoration and social due diligence.
Designing and delivering RAPs, LRPs, IPDPs, and community development plans aligned with international standards.
Overseeing socio‑economic baselines and community assessments to ensure robust, ethical, and high‑quality data.
Guiding land access and valuation processes, including compensation frameworks and regulatory approvals.
Leading social due diligence for project finance and M&A across mining, energy, infrastructure, and renewables.
Designing stakeholder engagement strategies, including FPIC, grievance mechanisms, and conflict‑sensitive approaches.
Providing technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams across ERM and partner organisations.
Ensuring quality assurance across deliverables, proposals, and client outputs.
Acting as a trusted advisor to senior client representatives, lenders, and legal teams.
Driving business development, key account management, and regional growth initiatives.
Mentoring and developing talent across ERM’s Africa teams.
Representing ERM at industry forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements as a recognised thought leader.
This role includes travel to diverse and remote field locations. At ERM, Safety First is non‑negotiable — we prioritise the wellbeing of our people and the communities we serve.
What You Bring
We’re looking for a seasoned professional with:
An advanced degree in economics, development economics, anthropology, sociology, urban planning, demographics, or a related field.
Experience in social performance, with deep expertise in resettlement, land acquisition, livelihood restoration, and stakeholder engagement.
A strong track record delivering complex projects across Africa and multiple sectors.
Expert knowledge of IFC Performance Standards, World Bank ESF, EIB ESS, AfDB safeguards, and national frameworks.
Hands‑on experience with asset valuation, baseline studies, grievance mechanisms, M&E, and social investment planning.
Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and manage complex, multi‑stakeholder assignments.
Exceptional communication and report‑writing skills.
Fluency in English; French or Portuguese is a significant advantage.
Experience working cross‑culturally with clients, governments, and communities.
Familiarity with GIS, social data tools, and digital engagement platforms (desirable).
What It Means to Be a Principal Consultant at ERM
You will be expected to:
Demonstrate deep technical leadership in resettlement and social performance.
Lead high‑profile, complex projects with autonomy and excellence.
Act as a trusted advisor to clients and lenders.
Drive business growth through proposals, client relationships, and strategic initiatives.
Contribute to thought leadership and innovation.
Mentor and develop teams across the region.
Collaborate globally across ERM’s network.
Uphold ERM’s values of quality, integrity, and safety.
Why Join ERM?
At ERM, you’ll work with a global leader in sustainability consulting — a place where your expertise shapes real outcomes for communities, clients, and the environment. You’ll join a purpose‑driven team committed to delivering lasting social and environmental value.
If you’re ready to lead transformative work and grow your career with a global impact, we’d love to hear from you.
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ERM is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive, it’s an essential part of what makes ERM a great place to build a career and helps us create better solutions for our clients.
We welcome talent from all backgrounds and provide equal opportunities for every candidate. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or need accommodations during the selection process, we’re here to support you. Our commitment doesn’t stop at hiring. Once you join us, we’ll ensure you have the tools, support, and adjustments needed to succeed and feel a true sense of belonging. Learn more about our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DIB) efforts by visiting our website or exploring our 2026 Sustainability Report.