Social scientist

We are currently looking for an experienced social safeguards consultant to join our international social safeguards team. The role will be based in Brighton in the UK, Johannesburg in South Africa, or Paris in France.

Our social safeguards team work in an integrated manner with our environmental and engineering teams on infrastructure projects. The focus is primarily in the energy sector, but we also work on water, transport and other types of internationally financed infrastructure projects. We work with our customers and local communities to provide social safeguard protection and, where possible, enhance social and community development benefits in pursuit of sustainable infrastructure projects.

Our clients include project developers, international lenders including multilateral development and private banks, and governments. The work of our team primarily covers:

- social impact assessment and management - social due diligence, equator principle compliance reviews and construction monitoring
- resettlement and indigenous peoples' development planning
- public consultation, disclosure and stakeholder engagement planning
- labour rights management planning and auditing
- ecosystems services and livelihoods
- gender analysis and management planning

The team works mainly on international projects and international travel is an integral part of this role. Over the next few years team members will be undertaking periodic site visits to Projects in the following regions and countries, amongst others: South Asia (e.g. Pakistan), Central Asia (e.g. Mongolia), North and Francophone Africa (e.g. Egypt, Senegal, Madagascar).

Candidate specification:

We welcome applications from social scientists with the following experience:
Essential:
- masters qualification in a discipline related to sociology, social or international development, or a core service area of the team
- experience in carrying out SIAs, due diligence reviews / construction monitoring and resettlement action plans for infrastructure projects
- experience of IFC and other lender safeguards and their role in project finance processes and cycles
- experience of working internationally
- ability to undertake international trips as required
- fluency in English, excellent communication and report writing skills
Desirable:
- fluency or the ability to work in French at site or when writing reports
- experience in the regions/countries mentioned above, and/or ability to work in the languages spoken in those locations
- experience in the power sector
- experience mentoring junior staff
- demonstrable academic or industry expertise in nice service areas such as gender, or other core services provided by the team

Mott MacDonald is a GBP1.2 billion management, engineering and development consultancy with 16,000 staff and a global reach spanning six continents. Our network of 180 principal offices in 140 countries gives us local market insight backed by world class expertise to deliver excellence for every client.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate, and take positive steps to create an inclusive culture.