Principal Consultant – Social Performance, Public Affairs – Resettlement

ERM

Principal Consultant leading strategic resettlement and social performance programmes across Africa for ERM. Engage in high-impact projects aimed at community wellbeing and responsible development.

Posted 6/14/2026full-timeJohannesburg • 🇿🇦 South AfricaSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead strategic resettlement programmes — from involuntary resettlement and land acquisition to livelihood restoration and social due diligence
Design and deliver RAPs, LRPs, IPDPs, and community development plans aligned with international standards
Oversee socio-economic baselines and community assessments to ensure robust, ethical, and high-quality data
Guide land access and valuation processes, including compensation frameworks and regulatory approvals
Lead social due diligence for project finance and M&A across mining, energy, infrastructure, and renewables
Design stakeholder engagement strategies, including FPIC, grievance mechanisms, and conflict-sensitive approaches
Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams across ERM and partner organisations
Ensure quality assurance across deliverables, proposals, and client outputs
Act as a trusted advisor to senior client representatives, lenders, and legal teams
Drive business development, key account management, and regional growth initiatives
Mentor and develop talent across ERM’s Africa teams
Represent ERM at industry forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements as a recognised thought leader

Requirements

What you’ll need

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
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)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Travel to diverse and remote field locations
Safety First prioritization of wellbeing

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

resettlementland acquisitionlivelihood restorationsocial due diligencestakeholder engagementasset valuationbaseline studiesmonitoring and evaluation (M&E)social investment planningIFC Performance Standards

Soft Skills

communicationreport-writingleadershipmentoringbusiness developmentclient managementcross-cultural communicationstrategic thinkingconflict resolutionteam management

Certifications

advanced degree in economicsadvanced degree in development economicsadvanced degree in anthropologyadvanced degree in sociologyadvanced degree in urban planningadvanced degree in demographics