Environmental Specialist - Jeffreys Bay

Environmental Specialist - Jeffreys Bay

Application Deadline: 9 July 2024

Department: Health, Safety & Environment

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: South Africa

Description

For more than 20 years, Globeleq has been a long-term investor, developer, owner and operator of diversified power projects in Africa, where the company is one of the largest Independent Power Producers., With nearly 1500MW of generation capacity in operation across 16 power plants in 7 countries, 488MW of new power projects in construction and >2,000MW in development, Globeleq is one of the largest independent power producers solely focused in Africa. Globeleq is 70% owned by British International Investment and 30% by Norfund, the development finance institutions of the UK and Norway, and has a proven track record for supporting the ongoing development of the African power sector. Globeleq’s various generation technologies include gas, wind, solar PV, battery energy storage (BESS), and geothermal. The company is also actively pursuing new opportunities which are emerging from the energy transition, including desalination projects powered by renewables, as well as green hydrogen and ammonia projects. The main purpose of the role is to provide guidance and support to the GSAMS plants with regards to Environmental Management and assurance to GSAMS that the environmental related risks are identified and managed appropriately through the implementation of appropriate systems. He/She is also responsible for compliance of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm and Klipheuwel Wind Farm with the Occupational Health & Safety Management System. This position is based at the Jeffreys Bay Wind Plant in South Africa, with regular travel to GSAMS sites and offices.

Key Responsibilities

1. Minimize financial and legal risks to GSAMS with regards to environmental aspects

• Interpret and monitor current and future legislation, national and international initiatives and trends, determine the relevance for GSAMS and communicate to relevant parties for implementation
• Identify environment-related risk areas, determine the significance of potential impact on the business and formulate actions plans to negate/minimize the risk
• Develop appropriate audit programs, document a lack of conformance/ deficiencies, findings and recommendations
• Perform audits/inspections/reviews to meet assurance objectives
• Provide consolidated input on the GSAMS Environmental Plan and facilitate input from the relevant stakeholders
• Ensure required comprehensive, accurate and on-time reporting to the relevant authorities
• Investigate complaints by stakeholders regarding environmental issues, identify the risk and develop risk mitigation strategies
• Ensure, through the manager, that adequate financial provision is made to resolve environmental risks

2. Provide environmental support and advisory service

• Develop and propose action plans and methodologies which will ensure optimum environmental management
• Advise the business on the implementation of environmental management systems, procedures and methodologies to enhance environmental performance, including air quality, water management, waste management, legal compliance, biodiversity reporting and ISO 14001
• Develop appropriate methodologies to measure performance and to provide management assurance that environmental risks are effectively managed and reported on
• Provide support and direction to plants on environmental matters
• Verify that permits and licenses are in place and updated as required
• Identify, develop, plan implement of all legal and other requirements (EIA’s, permits, license, etc. requirements)
• Provide assistance in the development of appropriate environmental training and awareness initiatives and assist with presentation such initiatives where required
• Prepare briefing material on environmental issues for committees/forums as required
• Responsible for development and implementation of the Biodiversity Management Plan

3. Monitor and measure environmental performance

• Facilitate the development, implementation, certification and maintenance of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS)
• Monitor, analyze and report on Environmental performance, focusing on improvement and optimum effectiveness
• Facilitate the conducting of Management Reviews on practices, procedures and systems implemented to ensure and maintain implementation of all statutory requirements
• Analyze and report environmental accounting results and report on it
• Benchmark performance against local and international entities/plants
• Facilitate reporting as required by different stakeholders

4. Responsible for occupational Health, Safety and Quality at the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm and Klipheuwel Wind Farm

• Implement and monitor all OHS management systems on site, including, but not limited to OHS guidelines, objectives and practices
• Assist with execution of audits on site to identify areas of improvement and assist with implementation of measures as required
• Provide OHS training, awareness and induction on site to staff, contractors and other relevant parties
• Engage with staff, contractors and other relevant parties with respect to OHS matters related to the site
• Maintain and analyse OHS statistical records, such as incidents, accidents, near-misses and working hours on site
• Assist with implementation of emergency and crisis management plans on site
• Assist with administering and maintaining non-conformance and suggestion systems, including Corrective and Preventative Action Requests (CPAR), Non-conformance Report (NCR)
  

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Skills and Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of environmental legislation and practices (NEMA, EIAs, EMP, Waste Management, ISO 14001 Implementation, etc.)
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant OHS legislation (OHS Act and Regulations, COIDA, etc.), ISO45001 Implementation and plant safety procedures
• Excellent knowledge of environmental frameworks and very good system implementation skill
• High levels of organisational commitment and responsiveness; able and willing to align own behaviour and actions with the values and goals of the organisation
• Highly effective verbal communication skills, including influencing without depending on positional authority
• Very good written communication skills; clear and concise expression of ideas or information
• Good inter-personal skills; able to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders, to accomplish organisational goals and identify and resolve problems
• Well-organised, with a high level of attention to detail

Experience, Knowledge and Qualifications

• Minimum 3 year degree in Natural Sciences or equivalent NQF level
• Minimum 4 years’ relevant experience, preferably with exposure to the renewable energy sector
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, environmental management systems (EMS), specifically ISO 14001
• Demonstrated knowledge of environmental requirements and practices
• Up-to-date and demonstrated knowledge of relevant HSE legislation
• A valid driver’s license is required