SHEQ / ESG Lead

Purpose of the role

Lead the SHEQ and ESG workstream: diagnose the client's occupational health and safety, environmental, quality and ESG frameworks, including contractor safety on a large transmission construction programme, and design the future SHEQ/ESG operating model, processes and reporting.

Key responsibilities

• Assess OHS, environmental and quality management systems against ISO 45001, 14001 and 9001, and SHEQ/ESG governance, strategy and reporting.
• Lead root-cause analysis of OHS incidents, environmental incidents, quality failures and governance gaps.
• Identify top SHEQ and ESG risks and impacts, including OHS compliance, contractor OHS, fatalities and serious incidents, environmental compliance, project and contractor quality, and climate and regulatory risks.
• Design the SHEQ/ESG operating model: roles, structures, reporting lines, centralised versus embedded capability, three lines of defence, contractor accountability mechanisms and EXCO/Board integration.
• Standardise SHEQ processes: operational assurance, contractor management, incident management and investigation, compliance tracking, hazard identification and critical control management.
• Define the SHEQ/ESG performance framework (TRIR, LTIR, leading indicators, environmental and quality metrics) and reporting to EXCO and the Board.
• Lead the capability and culture assessment for SHEQ, and the SHEQ/ESG sections of the roadmap; supervise the OHS Construction Specialist, ESG Reporting Specialist and SHEQ analyst.

Deliverables: Accountable for the SHEQ and ESG current-state diagnostic and the capability, culture and tools report; co-authors the operating model, process and reporting redesign and final SHEQ & ESG Transformation Report.

Minimum requirements (must meet)

• Degree in environmental science, safety management, engineering or a related discipline.
• At least 12 years' SHEQ experience in electricity, mining, heavy industry or major construction, including a management role.
• Lead auditor qualification for ISO 45001 and/or ISO 14001.
• Sound working knowledge of the OHS Act 85 of 1993, the Construction Regulations 2014 and NEMA.
• Professional registration with SAIOSH, SACNASP or EAPASA.
• South African citizen or permanent resident, available for the full assignment.

Preferred requirements (strongly advantageous)

• Master's degree in environmental, safety or sustainability management; NEBOSH International Diploma or SAMTRAC.
• Lead auditor for ISO 45001, 14001 and 9001 (IRCA or Exemplar Global registered); SAIOSH professional membership; SACNASP Pr.Sci.Nat or EAPASA registration.
• 15+ years, including heading SHEQ in an electricity utility or on transmission or power-station capital projects.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide SHEQ/ESG maturity assessments and integrated management systems.
• Exposure to ESG/sustainability reporting (IFRS S1/S2, GRI) and SHEQ information systems (e.g. IsoMetrix, Enablon).

Personal attributes

Structured and evidence-based; clear communicator with executives and operational teams; able to deliver to tight deadlines within a multidisciplinary team; discreet with confidential information.

Pay: From R18 426,27 per day

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Pretoria, Gauteng