Environmental Resources Management (ERM) is a leading global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk, social consulting services and sustainability related services. We have more than 160 offices in over 40 countries and territories employing over 7,000 people who work on projects around the world. ERM is committed to providing a service that is consistent, professional and of the highest quality to create value for our clients. We have worked with many Global Fortune 500 companies delivering innovative solutions for business and selected government clients helping them understand and manage the sustainability challenges that the world is increasingly facing.
For 50 years we have been working with clients around the world and in diverse industry sectors to help them to understand and manage their environmental, health, safety, risk and social impacts. We continuously strive to be the preferred place for sustainability professionals to build meaningful and rewarding careers.
ERM is seeking an energetic, purpose driven self-starting Principal Consultant to join our consulting firm in EMEA.
ERM has a well-established and fast growing Social Performance and Human Rights practice of around 300 people globally and 50 people within EMEA which we are looking to expand further due to significant client demand. ERM has delivered Human Rights related work for more than 20 years around the world often driven by international standards and evolving regulatory requirements. In recent years we have increased our advisory to our corporate, banking, and other clients on how they can best undertake Human Rights Due Diligence per the UNGPs, applying our global teams experience on the ground working in local languages and conditions, aligned with Boardroom experience in assisting clients in meeting international standard and establishing and managing performance systems and responding to investor challenges. We work across a range of sectors including energy, finance, manufacturing, pharma and technology.
In recent years, we have been increasing our Human Rights Specialist service offerings to corporate, banking and other clients, and we are looking for highly motivated Human Rights Specialists to join our team. The candidate will be supported to develop a career in Social/Human Rights advisory.
The ideal individual will help us continue to drive the growth of ERM’s business in Human Rights across a wide range of business sectors in the EMEA region. You will be able to draw on a global network of ERM Partners and consultants working with clients on a broad range of social consulting issues. As a key contributor to this important sector within ERM’s strategic growth plans, you will be fundamental to the growth of ERM’s business in EMEA through selling and delivering world-class services, recruiting and developing others in order to expand our current team, and further advancing our reputation for human rights, labor rights and social performance consulting more widely.
Demand for our services is expanding and this role offers a rewarding role for the right individual within a close knit and high functioning team. This opportunity will enable you to contribute significantly to key decisions, including the overall strategic direction of our Europe and EMEA strategy.
This is an exciting opportunity for an skilled professional with a passion for Human Rights and experience within the areas of due diligence, risk / impact assessments, ethical trade and responsible sourcing, supply chain, labour standards and working conditions, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), indigenous peoples, gender; and keen to pragmatically advise businesses on how they might meet, or influence business partners to meet Corporate Responsibility, Human Rights and Sustainability expectations.
ROLE PROFILE:
As a Principal Consultant joining our team, your key focus will be on helping our clients to define and implement strategies for Human Rights policy and practice.
Technically, the consultant should have experience in some or all of the following areas:
Experience with human rights topics such as modern slavery, living wage methodologies, labour and working conditions, indigenous peoples, gender, diversity & inclusion, Just Transition and supply chain/ responsible sourcing
Experience of developing Human Rights policies and implementation guidance
Experience in undertaking human rights due diligence using standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles as a benchmark
Experience in delivering human rights risk / impact assessments (HRIAs) in line with international standards
Experience in delivering human rights / labour audits and developing and managing pragmatic corrective action plans (CAPs) for remedy
Experience with CSRD and CSDDD implementation from the human rights perspective
Experience with specific gender aspects would be an advantage
Previous experience within industry or consultancy is desirable
As a Principal Consultant within the team, you will be responsible for:
Managing or coordinating medium to large sized projects or whole elements of larger multidisciplinary or global projects – as ERM works closely with some of the world’s largest organisations, we anticipate that this role will require close collaboration with our regional and global social performance teams.
Delivering multiple project tasks or components, including proposals
Supervising project team(s) and coaching and mentoring more junior staff
Understanding the interrelationships between ERM services and policies and how these are applied within the clients’ business model
Establishing strong working relationships with clients through project delivery
Developing social performance and public affairs services across EMEA
Advising our key local, regional and global clients and finding solutions for their ESG and climate change related challenges
Making use of effective working relationships with business unit and participate in global technical communities to ensure strong network of resources
Remaining up to date with external market and client industry trends
Sharing expertise and knowledge within the business unit and/or global practice area
Understanding how work of the project team and or practice community contributes to ERM’s success
You will be part of our interdisciplinary and international team and will collaborate with ERM offices in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.
Requirements:
Postgraduate degree (preferably a Master’s-level degree) in a relevant discipline (i.e. Human Rights, Social science, Human rights, Geography, International/ Socio-economic Development, Anthropology).
Extended experience in Human Rights, preferably in consultancy.
Strong technical delivery experience.
Understanding of relevant international Safeguards and Standards, i.e. UNGPs, ILO, etc.
Commercial acumen, business development and project management skills
Commitment to excellence, and to health and safety
Excellent leadership, project management and communication (both verbal and written) skills
Experience with using data and technology to solve clients social performance challenges
Proven ability to confidently deliver to tight timelines and work cross-culturally in an international working environment
Excellent reporting skills in English
Second language is highly desirable, preferably Dutch, French, Spanish
Willingness to travel for work on short trips to interesting locations mostly in Africa, Middle East and or CIS countries
To Apply:
At ERM, we are committed to building an inclusive culture by identifying, acquiring, developing, and retaining a highly skilled, high-performing workforce that reflects the diverse global marketplace in which we operate. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religious preference, sexual orientation, physical attributes, or educational background.
If you share our values and are interested in this role, please send your CV and cover letter (in English) along with your salary expectations.