Social Scientist

Knight Piésold Southern Africa require the services of a Social Scientist. Due to the collaborative nature of the work and the ease of integration of staff located in various KP offices, the Social Scientist may be based in any of the KP operating towns, cities or countries (Sandton, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Phalaborwa, Mbabane, Windhoek, Gaborone, Kitwe or Lubumbashi).

Minimum Requirements

Honours degree in Social Science or equivalent tertiary qualifications (Masters degree would be an advantage). Relevant environmental / social management experience of at least 4 years. Proven track record in delivering Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and specifically the socio-economic components. South African and/or African experience on large infrastructure projects (e.g. mining, linear infrastructure, water infrastructure or renewable energy). Experience in leading stakeholder consultation. Valid drivers licence and experience in driving in various road conditions. Fluent in English (spoken and written). Proficiency in other South African or African languages would be an advantage.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management: Manage environmental projects in RSA and Africa by managing client relationships, interdisciplinary teams, deliverables and project budgets. Involvement in Key Projects: This would encompass the following aspects: bidding, technical input, client, authority and stakeholder management, internal and external resourcing (e.g. specialists), logistics planning, budgeting and QAQC. Social Projects: Play a lead role as a Social Scientist on existing and new projects in the Environmental Section and other technical sections in KP (Mine Residue, Dams & Hydropower, Infrastructure). Project Support Role: Supporting internal team members at all levels in terms of site work, technical and social / environmental deliverables and client management. Business Development: Play a role in worksearch and business development initiatives in the section, especially projects with a socio-economic focus. Administration: Undertaking of all required administrative functions in accordance with the company procedures e.g., expense and timesheet submissions, financial reporting, invoicing and debt management.

Attributes

Personality traits conducive to engaging with all project stakeholders, including communities, in a courteous and respectful manner. Ability to learn quickly, follow instructions and operate independently to manage project tasks. Ability to work as part of a team. Driven, disciplined, organised and motivated. Ability to solve problems as they arise, especially related to field / survey work. Excellent communication skills: internal team members and external parties (clients, communities, specialists etc.). This is especially important for applicants from locations other than Johannesburg. Professional and diplomatic, even under difficult circumstances. Impeccable ethics and ability to conform to the KP corporate culture. Willing to travel on project assignments (locally and internationally).

Our Employee Value Proposition

When recruiting talented professionals, we want to ensure that we align to your personal values and career aspirations through our employer brand. We offer you:

A 102-year-old global company which speaks to the values we have upheld for over a century and our hunger for continued success. A hands-on leadership team with a strong vision and a big focus on execution. A team of about 160 people – large enough to beat our competition yet small enough to know each other’s names. Team members in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, DRC, Madagascar and Lesotho. Sponsorship for suitable candidates residing outside of the countries we operate in, and we welcome international applications. Continuing professional development through training and development and conference opportunities. Merit-based promotional structure. Fully paid bursaries for postgraduate studies. Opportunities to learn and lead on engineering projects in Africa and internationally. Access to and mentorship from technical industry experts. Latest use of technology and software programmes. Interesting and challenging project work to align with your career aspirations. Mentorship and coaching at every stage of your career. A hybrid working model in most operating countries, which supports flexibility and autonomy. Attractive remuneration packages aligned to experience and the industry. A high-performance work culture – high effort leads to high reward. A highly lucrative performance bonus system. A fun and meaningful rewards and recognition system to suit your lifestyle. A hands-on approach to corporate wellness focusing on employee wellbeing and mental health. Healthy brunches and lunches coupled with sports and socials so you can work hard and play hard. Annual leave coupled with an annual shutdown period in December to fully recharge. Modern and professional, fully equipped offices that allow for quiet time or teamwork.

Candidates who meet the requirements and are interested in this opportunity can send their applications to Lungile Sibisi at recruit@knightpiesold.com by 30 June 2023 .

We will get in touch with shortlisted candidates due to the expected volume of applications.

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