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

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

Apply locations Frankfurt, Germany; Hamburg, Germany; Berlin, Germany; Munich, Germany

Job Type: Permanent, full-time

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.

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.
• 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.
• 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.

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:

• Attractive salary + profit sharing.
• Flexible working hours.
• 30 days of vacation.
• Company pension plan.
• Deutschland-Ticket and Bahncard 50.
• Home office equipment.
• Workcation and sabbatical models.
• Job bike program.
• Diverse work models.
• EGYM Wellpass: Access to more than 8,000 sports studios.
• Additional benefits.

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.