Senior Consultant (Resettlement)

Job Description

Senior Consultant – Resettlement

Location: Johannesburg, Maputo, Dar es Salaam, or Nairobi
ERM Africa – Capital Project Delivery Team

Why ERM?

ERM is the world’s largest pure-play sustainability consultancy, partnering with leading organizations to deliver transformative projects that generate positive environmental, social, and economic outcomes. With over 50 years of experience and a presence in more than 40 countries, we combine deep technical expertise with a collaborative, purpose-driven culture. ERM helps clients tackle complex challenges, ensure compliance, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development across sectors such as mining, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and oil and gas.

ERM’s Resettlement and Social Performance Services

ERM provides comprehensive resettlement planning and implementation support to clients undertaking complex capital projects across Africa and globally. Our services span the full resettlement lifecycle—from early land access strategies and census/baseline data collection to the development of Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs), and physical resettlement implementation. We work closely with clients, local authorities, and affected communities to ensure that all activities align with international best practice and lender’s requirements, and national legislative requirements. ERM is experienced in delivering asset valuation, stakeholder engagement, grievance redress mechanisms, and socio-economic monitoring, often under tight timelines and challenging field conditions. We combine strategic oversight with field-based implementation, often in partnership with trusted local subcontractors, to help clients secure land, maintain social license to operate, and ensure affected households are treated fairly, transparently, and with dignity.

The Role

ERM is seeking a passionate and motivated Senior Consultant – Resettlement to join our growing Capital Project Delivery team. The successful candidate will lead and support the delivery of resettlement-related services for major capital projects across Africa. This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing team working at the forefront of sustainable development and responsible project delivery.

As part of the continued growth of our services, ERM is looking for applicants who have experience delivering Involuntary Resettlement and stakeholder engagement and grievance management internationally throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. The ideal candidate will bring a strong track record in managing complex resettlement and social performance workstreams, with an in-depth understanding of lenders’ environmental and social (E&S) requirements.

Key standards guiding involuntary resettlement include:

• The World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), which emphasizes sustainable development, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive risk management through its ten Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs)
• IFC Performance Standard 5
• European Investment Bank (EIB) Environmental and Social Standard 6
• African Development Bank (AfDB) Integrated Safeguards System

A strong working knowledge of national regulations across African countries and good practices - including socio-economic surveying, grievance mechanisms, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring frameworks - is essential.

This role will require travel to field sites, which may be located in geographically remote areas with varying levels of infrastructure and economic development.

Assignments may involve working in diverse environmental conditions and terrains. At ERM, we put Safety First—our fundamental commitment is to provide a working environment that prioritizes the health, safety, and wellbeing of our people and project partners. All travel and site work will be undertaken in alignment with ERM’s rigorous health and safety protocols and our belief that “zero harm is possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs), and associated baseline and impact assessments.
• Provide technical oversight on land access, asset valuation, stakeholder engagement, socio-economic studies, and grievance redress mechanisms.
• Ensure alignment with international lender requirements (e.g. IFC, WB, EIB, AfDB) and national regulatory frameworks.
• Manage multi-disciplinary project teams, including local partners and field teams, ensuring high-quality delivery on time and within budget.
• Serve as a technical lead on proposals, client engagements, and deliverables.
• Support junior staff development through coaching and mentorship.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to build long-term partnerships and promote ERM’s thought leadership.
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary project teams, including internal staff, sub-contractors, and field consultants.
• Review and provide quality assurance on reports, technical deliverables, and proposals.
• Excellent Project Management skills

Skills and Experience Required

• A minimum of 8 years of consulting or professional experience in social performance, with a strong focus on land acquisition, resettlement, community development,  impact quantification of development projects.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing involuntary resettlement studies, baseline and census surveys, livelihood restoration programs, Stakeholder Engagement Plans, Grievance Redress Mechanisms, asset and land valuation, and contributing to or leading Social Impact Assessments.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects in Africa.
• Experience working with international lenders, supporting and guiding borrower compliance with E&S standards and best practice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing.
• Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in French or Portuguese is a strong advantage.
• Proficiency in social data analysis tools and techniques is a plus.

Senior Consultant Qualities

As a Senior Consultant, you are expected to:

• Deliver technically sound work while managing quality, budget, and schedule.
• Contribute to ERM’s thought leadership and innovation in resettlement and social performance.
• Actively support business development through proposals, client relationships, and strategic insight.
• Coach and mentor junior consultants, supporting their growth and professional development.
• Operate as a team player who thrives in a collaborative, dynamic, and cross-cultural environment.

Join Us

If you're looking to make a real impact on the ground while working with a global leader in sustainability consulting, ERM offers the platform, people, and projects to take your career forward. Apply now to be part of a purpose-driven team creating lasting social and environmental value.