Description
Zutari: Co-creating an engineered impact.
Zutari is a well-established, management-owned engineering firm with almost 90 years' experience. As human-centred engineering consultants and advisors, we are trusted by our clients, business partners, communities and other stakeholders across Africa.
We co-create engineering solutions that have a positive impact and improve people's lives. Zutari values inclusion and recognises the importance of a diverse, talented workforce, believing that people need other people to succeed.
What kind of talent do we pursue?
We employ people with the right attitude and a positive mindset, who are motivated by doing the right thing, getting things done and share a sense of urgency. People who have an impact in our teams and broader community. People who think differently and connect with those around them to co-create new opportunities and leave a meaningful legacy.
We’re looking for a Technical Director in our Social Sustainability team, to contribute to the leadership and growth of this business within our broader Sustainability Business Unit across Africa and the Middle East. The ideal candidate is a senior, experienced Resettlement Specialist - a self-starter and team player who can work under pressure while maintaining exceptional quality standards. The role reports to the Discipline Lead: Social Sustainability and will have two or more direct reports.
In this role, the candidate will assist clients in managing social risks associated with land acquisition and resettlement by providing advisory services, preparing and implementing Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) and Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs), and coordinating stakeholder engagement and participatory processes.
To effectively manage this portfolio of resettlement-related projects, the Technical Director: Social Sustainability must demonstrate advanced skills in the areas of technical delivery, project management, business development, client relationships management, people leadership and commercial management.
Role Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership and eminence in resettlement and other social assurance services. Active mentorship of junior staff.
- Lead the preparation of Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs), and other social management plans, ensuring alignment with international standards (e.g., IFC Performance Standards, World Bank Guidelines).
- Oversee a portfolio of resettlement-related projects, including project management, financial management, resource allocation, quality assurance, and the management of technical and commercial risks.
- Take full responsibility for the compliance of company policies and procedures, legislative requirements and act as a role model for Zutari values and culture.
- Contribute to the leadership and growth of Zutari’s Social Sustainability practice, including building and fostering relationships with key clients across Africa and internationally.
- Drive business development initiatives locally and internationally in collaboration with client teams.
- Source and secure new business opportunities, preparing competitive proposals for resettlement studies, livelihood restoration plans, socio-economic baseline studies, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, etc.
- Coordinate and manage multidisciplinary teams, including Zutari staff, specialists and consultants, to deliver high-quality outputs that meet client requirements.
Minimum requirements
- Minimum of 15 years’ experience is essential, with at least 5 years in a senior project management role.
- Post-graduate qualification (preferably a master’s degree) in social sciences, development studies, anthropology, or related fields is required.
- Proven commercial and managerial experience.
- In-depth understanding of international standards for resettlement and social safeguards, including IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, and World Bank Guidelines.
- Planning and implementing resettlement projects across Africa, with a demonstrated understanding of diverse cultural and regulatory contexts.
- Excellent communication and report-writing skills with fluency in English (reading, writing, and speaking). Proficiency in additional languages is an advantage.
- A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel.
We believe that a diverse work force is key to our business success. We seek the best people for our jobs based on their skills, qualifications and experience. We embrace the principle of equal opportunity in employment, and we work towards eliminating all forms of unlawful discrimination in our employment practices. In support of diversity and the equal opportunity principle, preference will be given to individuals from designated groups within South Africa.
