Environmental & Social Framework Lead (ESS1–ESS5)

Position Title: Environmental & Social Framework Lead (ESS1–ESS5)
Organization: Ten X Group
Work Arrangement: Full-time or project-based annual contract, subject to assignment
Location: Syria - as assigned, including remote, austere, and complex operating environments
Reports To: Program Director / Project Director / Authorized Project Executive

Position Summary

The Environmental & Social Framework Lead is the senior specialist responsible for environmental and social risk management, safeguards planning, compliance structuring, and implementation oversight for infrastructure, energy, utility, and reconstruction programs. The role is focused primarily on ESS1 through ESS5 and requires strong command of environmental and social assessment, management planning, stakeholder engagement support, labor and working conditions, community health and safety, land-related impacts, contractor ESHS obligations, and audit-ready compliance systems.

This position is intended for a senior practitioner capable of translating lender and donor safeguards requirements into implementable field controls, procurement provisions, reporting mechanisms, and performance management frameworks suitable for complex infrastructure and fragile operating environments.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

· Lead environmental and social risk screening, categorization support, and safeguards strategy for infrastructure and energy programs.

· Develop, review, and manage ESIAs, ESMPs, CESMP requirements, labor management measures, stakeholder engagement inputs, grievance mechanisms, CHS requirements, and resettlement or land-use support documentation, as applicable.

· Ensure alignment with ESS1 through ESS5 and related project-specific obligations, permits, and implementation controls.

· Draft and embed contractor ESHS requirements, code-of-conduct provisions, incident notification obligations, reporting templates, and performance KPIs into procurement and contract packages.

· Support environmental permitting, land access due diligence, social risk identification, labor and workforce controls, traffic and community safety planning, hazardous material management, waste management, pollution prevention, and emergency response requirements.

· Review contractor submissions, method statements, and ESHS documentation for adequacy and compliance.

· Establish monitoring, audit, inspection, corrective action, and non-conformance systems for project execution.

· Coordinate with engineering, procurement, security, and field teams to ensure safeguards requirements are realistic, sequenced, and enforceable.

· Lead safeguards reporting to management, clients, donors, and external reviewers.

· Support training and capacity building for project teams, contractors, and counterpart institutions.

· Advise on incident response, root-cause analysis, and corrective action planning where ESHS events occur.

Minimum Required Education

· Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Social Science, Development Studies, Occupational Health and Safety, Natural Resources Management, or closely related discipline.

Preferred Education

· Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Engineering, Social Development, Sustainability, Public Health, Occupational Health and Safety, or related field.

Minimum Required Experience

· Minimum 10 years of directly relevant experience in environmental and social risk management for infrastructure, energy, industrial, utility, or donor-funded programs.

· Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior safeguards, ESHS, environmental, or social lead capacity.

· Demonstrated experience applying multilateral or international lender environmental and social frameworks on complex projects.

Required Technical Experience

· ESS1–ESS5 implementation

· ESIA and ESMP development/review

· Contractor ESHS management

· Labor and working conditions controls

· Community health and safety planning

· Land access, livelihood, or resettlement support coordination

· Stakeholder engagement and grievance systems

· Incident reporting and corrective action management

· Audit and compliance monitoring

· Construction-phase safeguards implementation

Required Certifications / Licenses

· Relevant professional certification in environmental, social, or HSE discipline is strongly preferred.

· Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as required.

Preferred Certifications

· ISO 14001 Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor

· ISO 45001 Lead Auditor or Internal Auditor

· NEBOSH, IOSH, CSP, CIH, or equivalent

· Safeguards or ESF-specific training from recognized institutions

· PMP or equivalent project management certification

Core Competencies

· Safeguards leadership

· Compliance discipline

· Contractor oversight

· Risk identification and mitigation

· Incident management

· Audit readiness

· Clear technical writing

· Stakeholder sensitivity

· Cross-functional coordination

Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Contract length: 12 months

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Dubai: Reliably commute or willing to relocate with an employer-provided relocation package (Required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• environmental & social risk management : 10 years (Required)
• ESHS, environmental, or social lead capacity: 5 years (Required)

Location:

• Dubai (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 75% (Required)

Work Location: In person