Social Risk Expert

South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.

Risk is a newly created function, which plays a central role in our organisation. The team oversees all risk aspects of the company: carbon projects, financial, people, governance, reputation, data, IT security and many others. The mandate of the team is to identify, assess, manage, mitigate, monitor and anticipate risks South Pole is or could be facing. It also defines boundaries within which South Pole teams can operate by providing guidance and recommendations and escalation procedures.

Job summary:

The Carbon Projects Social Expert role will work within the Carbon Projects Risk team to support the risk analysis of Carbon projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing and managing social risks associated with carbon projects, ensuring that our initiatives not only reduce carbon emissions but also contribute positively to the well-being of local communities.

With this role you will have the opportunity to shape our carbon offset portfolios to the highest quality and assess projects that deliver real emissions reductions and powerful impacts on communities and biodiversity. You will have opportunities to work alongside a passionate group of people looking to upgrade South Pole’s Carbon Project quality standards to the next level.

The role will work closely alongside other teams within the company like the Certificates business line, Carbon Portfolio Management (CPM), Legal, Compliance or Communications

Main tasks & responsibilities:

Conduct social risk assessments for carbon offset projects, identifying potential social impacts and risks related to local communities, indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders

Review due diligence reports and project design documents (PDDs) for selected projects, including proposed mitigation action plans. In specific cases, conduct field due diligence with project managers

Develop strategies and mitigation measures to address identified social risks and ensure alignment with international standards and best practices, including but not limited to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Work closely with project teams, stakeholders, and partner organisations to integrate social risk considerations into project design, implementation, and monitoring processes.

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of social risk management measures throughout the project lifecycle, and recommend adjustments as necessary

Develop social related procedures and guidelines for different technologies, including but not limited to land tenure guidelines, FPIC process, stakeholder mapping and engagement, benefit sharing mechanism, etc.

Develop social risk training programmes and train carbon project managers in social risk assessment

Participate in client calls, to present our social risk assessment framework

Stay abreast of emerging social issues, trends and regulations relevant to carbon offset projects and contribute to the continuous improvement of social risk management practices within the organisation..

Requirements:

Essential -

At least 7 years of experience working on social issues, including stakeholder mapping, stakeholder consultation, free prior and informed consent, land tenure, with field experience in sustainability related projects.

Master's degree or higher in social sciences, environmental management, international development, or a related field.

Proven experience of working with communities and relevant stakeholders

Strong understanding of social impact assessment methodologies, stakeholder engagement processes, and international standards such as the Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards

Methodical approach to work, attention to details, drive for continuous improvement

Proven ability to work across multiple teams and on multi-disciplinary projects

Entrepreneurial, flexible and proactive mindset, willingness to take initiative

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Fluent in English; other languages (e.g. French, Spanish) an advantage

Desirable -

Worked in the global south with sustainability projects.

Worked in a fast-paced company.

What we offer:

At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation.

We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make and South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.