Albania has long had plans to build a hydropower plant (HPP) on the Drin River, near Skavica, to not only produce clean renewable energy but also control the increasingly frequent flooding that occurs downstream. We are embarking on the preliminary design and confirmation of project characteristics and need an experienced social performance expert to help integrate sustainability and social concerns into the project planning and co-manage the environmental and social impact assessment.

Remote working with business trips to Albania

SUMMARY:

The Social Performance Manager will share responsibility with the Environmental Manager to oversee the ESIA consultants’ work, and provide input to the development of the Environmental and Social Management Plan, leading on social performance issues. S/he will manage compliance with Environmental & Social Management (& Monitoring) Plan (ESMP) requirements through proactive and ongoing engagement with other functions. 

This role will need to engage effectively with relevant stakeholders to embed sustainability and social performance objectives in pertinent activities, to find sustainable solutions and improve sustainability performance. S/he will coordinate with the appropriate Government of Albania representatives (KESH) to support the expropriation, resettlement and livelihood restoration programs so that they meet international standards and serves as the primary liaison with the project team for these activities.

Responsible for implementation and delivery of the sustainability management programme on the project, aligned to the ESIA, Bechtel and all other project requirements, including IFC Environmental and Social Sustainability Performance Standards and the International Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol. Assesses and reports on project sustainability performance to drive continuous improvement. Reports operationally to the Project Manager. Functionally reports to the GBU Sustainability Manager.

JOB DIMENSIONS:

A. Supervision Received

·      Receives technical and administrative supervision from the Project Manager

·      Receives functional and technical guidance and support from GBU and Regional Sustainability Managers

B. Supervision Exercised

·      Supervises the community relations officer

C. Contacts

• Works closely with the Environmental Manager to manage the Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and all related processes, through approval and implementation of the Environmental & Social Management Plan (ESMP).
• Works closely and coordinates with the approvals and stakeholder manager and Government Relations Manager
• Builds and maintains relationships with project management, design & construction management and other project-level functional groups to help identify and coordinate integration of project-specific sustainability requirements
• Maintains contact with GBU Sustainability team to seek support and advice and to keep them informed of project experience as may be of both specific and general interest and learning.
• Maintains contact with customer representatives (e.g. KESH) to exchange information on sustainability issues and the conduct of the ESIA and RAP. Coordinates agreed stakeholder engagement program.
• Maintains contact, as appropriate, with identified key stakeholders (e.g. government entities and regulatory bodies) to exchange information relevant to the project, and maintains contact with key local/community stakeholders in the project area

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Responsible for the oversight of the social performance aspects of the ESIA and associated Management and Monitoring Plans and integration of those requirements within other relevant project plans, applying understanding of international performance standards, (primarily IFC Sustainability Performance Standards 2012 and Equator Principles).
• Co-ordinate and interact with KESH to develop and manage resettlement action plans, livelihood restoration plans
• Develop, implement and manage performance of the project sustainability management programme, and associated management plans (e.g. stakeholder engagement and management plans, community relations plan, resettlement action plan and livelihood restoration plan) in so doing implementing the GBU sustainability management system and aligned with the IHA Sustainability Assessment Protocol.
• Ensure compliance with project sustainability requirements, tracking metrics and maintain appropriate monthly reporting on social performance and compliance
• Manage and submit any required applications, documentation and evidence of social performance compliance
• Oversee community relations program, providing technical oversight as required. Develop and oversee grievance mechanism  in coordination with approvals and stakeholder manager, and others on the project management team
• Provide assistance to project team to ensure that design, construction and procurement and supply chain activities incorporate and meet sustainability requirements
• Coordinate with project-level functional groups (e.g. project management, construction, engineering, subcontracts, procurement, project controls, document controls) to help identify and involve them to integrate project-specific sustainability requirements (e.g. design specifications, construction plans and schedules, subcontractor bid packages, and procurement requisitions, local training and hiring programs).
• Engage and promote collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including potential external parties to improve delivery of sustainability objectives across the project, through identifying sustainable solutions and innovative ideas, and potential partnerships
• Establish sustainability and social performance training requirements and develop and manage delivery of training
• Coordinate and/or participate in regular meetings and reviews with customers, project team members, site teams (and lenders or designee) on sustainability issues
• Coordinate regular communications about sustainability activities, achievements and lessons learned – case studies, relevant social media etc. with Government & Public Relations manager, customer and to Bechtel functional manager of sustainability
• Works ethically and strives for excellence, accountable for decisions and programs, prioritize key issues and works collaboratively with project management team to discuss plans and actions, key decisions at the right time with the right level of detail.
• Take personal responsibility to ensure your own and others’ health and safety – including those who may be affected by the delivery of this role.
• Cooperate in all matters relating to health, safety and environment, including following safe working procedures at all times and not deviating from agreed safe system of work
• Advocate, promote and engage Bechtel’s health, safety and environmental policies and initiatives. 

JOB KNOWLEDGE:

• Relevant university degree in social sciences, law or sustainability related field
• Experience with expropriation and resettlement programs
• Experience in managing and/or providing technical oversight of ESIA consultants.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing requirements related to international sustainability performance standards and regulatory bodies consent processes in at least two countries
• Experience in implementing IFC sustainability performance standards
• Proven 5 years sustainability management experience in construction/project management roles for major civil infrastructure projects. Experience on hydropower projects or Balkan region projects a plus.
• Understanding of sustainability management within planning phases of infrastructure construction projects.
• Proven experience in establishing and maintaining productive working relationships within Project Management teams, JV partners and contractors, and customer organizations.
• Advanced communication skills (oral & written) including negotiation and influencing skills and the ability to establish effective working relationships with a variety of people at different levels both internally and externally.
• Ability to organise and prioritise own and team members’ work demands, handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously, set and meet deadlines and follow-through within a fast-paced environment.
• Works ethically and strives for excellence, accountable for decisions and programs, prioritize key issues and works collaboratively with project management team to discuss plans and actions, key decisions at the right time with the right level of detail.
• Take personal responsibility to ensure your own and others’ health, well-being and safety – including those who may be affected by the delivery of this role, with special attention to mental health of community stakeholders and those involved in helping them through difficult transitions such as relocation.

What we offer

At Bechtel we offer a competitive salary package with the opportunity for flexible working to achieve greater work-life balance. Employee wellbeing is at the centre of our business and Bechtel is committed to offering you the benefits and resources to live healthy lives. We can offer:

Flexible Working

Private Medical Coverage

Life Insurance Program

Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Program

Long Term Disability Scheme

Our Commitment

Bechtel’s Vision, Values and Covenants commit us to the ideals of fairness, diversity, inclusion, trust, and collaboration, among others. These values help define our culture, our way of doing business, and the positive impact we aspire to make in the world through our people and projects. At our project sites and offices, we have many colleagues from different nationalities, religions, and backgrounds working together to accomplish amazing things.