Principal Consultant (Resettlement) at Environmental Resources Management (ERM)

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the delivery of resettlement-related assignments across multiple sectors and countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Lead the preparation and implementation of Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs), Indigenous Peoples Development Plans (IPDPs), and Community Development Plans.
• Design and oversee socio-economic baselines, community needs assessments, and health and demographic studies, ensuring data quality, relevance, and integrity.
• Guide complex land access and asset valuation processes, including negotiation strategies, compensation frameworks, and regulatory approvals.
• Lead or supervise the delivery of social due diligence assessments, gap analyses, and corrective action plans for project finance and M&A transactions in compliance with international and national best practice frameworks.
• Design and implement stakeholder engagement strategies, including managing FPIC processes, grievance mechanisms, and conflict-sensitive consultation approaches.
• 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.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to clients on resettlement risks, policies, and mitigation measures, engaging with senior client representatives, legal teams, and funders.
• Support business development efforts by leading or contributing to proposal writing, client relationship management, and regional growth initiatives.
• Mentor and build the capacity of junior consultants, fostering professional development and team cohesion.
• Represent ERM in client meetings, stakeholder forums, conferences, and professional networks as a recognized expert in resettlement and social performance.

Skills and Experience Required

• Advanced degree in economics, development economics, anthropology, sociology, urban planning, demographics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 12 years of professional or consulting experience in social performance, including significant expertise in resettlement planning, land acquisition, livelihood restoration, stakeholder engagement, and social risk management.
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex resettlement and social performance projects across diverse sectors (e.g., mining, energy, infrastructure, renewables) and geographies in Africa.
• Strong working knowledge of international environmental and social standards, including IFC Performance Standards, World Bank ESF, EIB ESS6, AfDB Integrated Safeguards, and national legislative frameworks.
• Practical experience conducting or overseeing asset valuation, baseline studies, grievance redress mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation, and social investment planning.
• Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and manage project delivery under pressure—on time, within budget, and to the highest quality.
• Strong project management skills with experience overseeing complex, multi-stakeholder, and often field-intensive work.
• Excellent communication and writing skills, with the ability to translate technical content into client-facing reports and strategic insights.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French or Portuguese is a strong advantage.
• Experience working in cross-cultural teams and building relationships with clients, government institutions, and communities.
• Familiarity with social data management tools, GIS platforms, and digital tools for stakeholder engagement is desirable.

Principal Consultant Qualities

As a Principal Consultant at ERM, you are expected to:

• Demonstrate technical leadership and deep subject matter expertise in resettlement and social performance.
• Lead complex, high-profile projects with minimal direction, ensuring excellence in delivery.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, lenders, and key stakeholders.
• Drive business development, proposal leadership, and client relationship management.
• Contribute to thought leadership, innovation, and best practice development.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level consultants to build internal capability.
• Collaborate effectively across disciplines and geographies within ERM.
• Uphold ERM’s values and ensure the highest standards of quality, integrity, and safety.