Environmental and Social Specialist

Red Rocket South Africa is seeking an Environmental and Social Specialist to support renewable energy projects, ensuring compliance with environmental legislation and standards. Responsibilities include managing permitting activities, conducting risk assessments, overseeing Environmental Impact Assessments, and coordinating with consultants. The role involves ensuring projects are legally compliant and environmentally sound throughout all phases of development.
The Environmental and Social (E&S) Specialist supports the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy projects across Red Rocket’s portfolio, ensuring compliance with environmental and social legislation, internal policies, lender requirements, and international good practice standards.


This role is responsible for coordinating and managing environmental and social permitting activities across renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, hydro, and battery energy storage systems, to ensure projects are legally compliant, environmentally sound, financeable, and buildable.


The E&S Specialist ensures adherence to applicable legislation, including NEMA and associated specific environmental management acts, and supports compliance with international standards such as the IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, and broader ESG frameworks. The role also contributes to environmental and social performance across all project phases, ensuring alignment with Red Rocket’s Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) and corporate objectives.


Responsibilities:

Undertake environmental and social GIS-based screening and risk identification during early-stage project development.
Manage deliverables required to obtain key environmental consents in line with NEMA, associated SEMAs, and other relevant legislation applicable to renewable energy projects.
Manage additional permitting processes required for Financial Close, including civil aviation, land claims, mining rights, astronomy arrays, agriculture, roads, waste, biodiversity and conservation, municipal by-laws, electromagnetic interference, telecommunications, and heritage requirements.
Lead or support the review of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Basic Assessments (BAs), and Scoping Reports in line with provincial, national, and applicable international lender standards.
Oversee specialist studies and ensure that environmental and social opportunities and constraints are appropriately integrated into project design.
Coordinate environmental licence renewals, amendments, and updates as required to support project implementation and buildability.
Manage consultants and support water use licence application processes in terms of applicable water legislation.
Compile and manage environmental and social inputs into REIPPPP and private PPA bid submissions, including legal opinions and lender due diligence documentation.
Monitor, interpret, and communicate developments in environmental legislation and regulations relevant to Red Rocket’s portfolio.
Compile, manage, and review environmental and social risk assessments, due diligence reports, and audit reports.
Support lender and shareholder reporting requirements in accordance with contractual and legal obligations.
Assist with the management of Lenders’ Technical Advisor (LTA) reviews and Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) requirements.
Support environmental and social project management during pre-construction, construction, and operations in line with corporate policies, applicable legislation, and relevant good practice standards.
Manage the implementation of consultant and contractor scopes of work related to permitting, compliance, and monitoring during construction and operations.
Travel to development, construction, and operational sites for inspections, audits, and stakeholder engagement.
Provide oversight and support to Environmental and Social Compliance Officers on construction and operational projects.
Promote project buildability through the practical implementation of environmental authorisations and other relevant permits.
Support the implementation and continuous improvement of Red Rocket’s ESG and Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) framework.
Demonstrate effective engagement and coordination with competent authorities, lenders, contractors, and other key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
Be willing and available to travel across South Africa and, where required, elsewhere in Africa.

Minimum Educational Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Law, Development Planning, or a related field.
Postgraduate qualification (degree or diploma) in Environmental Law, Environmental Management, or a related discipline will be advantageous.

Minimum Previous Experience:

At least 5 years’ relevant experience in environmental and social permitting, compliance, auditing, and risk management, preferably within the renewable energy sector.
Strong working knowledge of NEMA, environmental authorisation processes, and related legal requirements applicable to renewable