Environmental & Social (E&S) Manager

About the role

We are seeking an Environmental & Social (E&S) Manager to lead the environmental and social management of our energy infrastructure projects across the GCC and CIS regions. The role ensures full compliance with international standards and local regulations throughout the project lifecycle, providing strategic and operational leadership for the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS).

Key responsibilities

• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of the ESMS.
• Design, implement and maintain a Social Management System (SMS) aligned with UAE regulations and international standards.
• Develop and execute a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) tailored to Dubai and regional contexts.
• Implement and manage a Grievance Mechanism in line with IFC Performance Standards 1 and 4.
• Identify, assess and mitigate social impacts such as livelihood displacement, gender issues, and cultural diversity.
• Coordinate socioeconomic studies, stakeholder mapping and integrate social criteria into engineering, construction and procurement planning.
• Oversee internal and external social audits and lead corrective action plans.
• Monitor environmental and social performance during engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and hand‑over phases.
• Ensure EPC contractors, Owner’s Engineer and subcontractors comply with contractual E&S obligations and lender requirements.
• Track implementation of ESMPs, Biodiversity Action Plans, Labour Management Plans and Grievance Mechanisms.
• Lead environmental and social audits, inspections and compliance reviews, managing corrective and preventive actions.
• Provide E&S input to project risk registers and advise Project Directors on emerging risks.
• Manage relationships with regulators, lenders, communities and other stakeholders.

Required profile

• Proven experience leading E&S management for energy or infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles and World Bank Group EHS Guidelines.
• Familiarity with UAE regulatory requirements and international social standards.
• Experience working in Central Asia, the Far East and the Middle East.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and manage stakeholder relationships.

Required skills

• IFC Performance Standards
• Equator Principles
• World Bank Group EHS Guidelines
• Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)
• Social Management System (SMS)
• Stakeholder Engagement Planning
• Grievance Mechanism implementation
• Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs)