Environment, Social

Job Role: Environment, Social & Sustainability Lead 

1. JOB PURPOSE
To lead the development, implementation and continual improvement of Dangote Group’s environmental, social and sustainability agenda, supporting the Group Chief HSSE & Sustainability in setting strategic direction, maintaining fit-for-purpose policies and standards, and translating priorities into coordinated programmes, governance arrangements and measurable performance outcomes across Business Units. The Lead, Environment, Social and Sustainability, is accountable for functional leadership, technical assurance and capability development across environment, social performance and sustainability. The role drives integration of the Dangote 7 Sustainability Pillars, regulatory and standards alignment, sustainability reporting, stakeholder and materiality processes, compliance assurance, Communities of Practice and Group-wide initiatives, while promoting an uncompromising commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible business performance.

2. ROLE SCOPE
a. Provides functional leadership across all Dangote Group Business Units, operations and applicable projects on environmental, social and sustainability governance, performance and improvement.
b. Develops Group policies, standards, guidelines, and coordinates programmes, assurance expectations, and capability-building interventions within the role’s remit.
c. Supports Business Units to operationalise Group strategy and the Dangote 7 Sustainability Pillars in ways appropriate to their risk profile, regulatory context and business priorities.
d. Interfaces with Business Unit leadership, functional specialists, consultants, regulators, investors, host communities, supply chain partners and assurance providers on material environmental, social and sustainability matters.
e. Provides strategic insight for long-term planning, capital allocation, reputation protection, risk management and continual improvement, without displacing line-management accountability within Business Units

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy, Governance & Integration

• Support the Group Chief in shaping and periodically reviewing the Group environmental, social and sustainability strategy, roadmap, priorities and annual objectives.
• Lead the development, review and maintenance of Group policies, standards, guidelines, governance instruments and ESG-related codes of conduct.
• Mainstream environmental, social and sustainability considerations into business planning, project development, investment decisions, procurement and operational management

Business Unit Leadership 

• Provide strategic and technical guidance to Business Units and site leadership on matters with potential material business, regulatory, environmental, social or reputational impact.
• Guide Business Units in developing fit-for-purpose management strategies, improvement plans and controls aligned with Group requirements and local operating contexts.
• Promote cross-Group alignment, lesson sharing, replication of good practice and timely escalation of significant risks and performance gaps.

Compliance, risk & assurance

• Oversee risk-based environmental and social compliance monitoring through Group audit, review and assurance programmes.
• Provide direction on internal and external assurance activities, regulatory interfaces, corrective-action governance and follow-up.
• Manage lender interface such as review and implementation of ESAP , due diligence, periodic reviews and site visits as applicable.
• Maintain oversight of material legal, permit, ESIA/ESMP, lender and other applicable commitments, while reinforcing Business Unit accountability for compliance.

Events, learning & improvement

• Ensure robust notification, investigation, learning, action tracking and Group-level oversight arrangements for significant environmental and social events.
• Analyse trends, systemic causes and recurring weaknesses, and sponsor Group-wide interventions where needed.
• Provide strategic environmental and social insight to support long-term planning, improvement priorities and capital investment decisions.

Sustainability programmes & pillars

• Coordinate the execution, monitoring and reporting of sustainability initiatives and strategic programmes across the Group.
• Lead the operationalisation of the Dangote 7 Sustainability Pillars and alignment with relevant global frameworks, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Coordinate annual Group campaigns and impact reporting, including Dangote Sustainability Week.

Reporting, disclosure & data

• Contribute to annual sustainability and ESG reporting in line with applicable disclosure standards and Business Unit requirements.
• Lead the development and delivery of sustainability & ESG reporting for maturing business units.
• Define performance indicators, reporting protocols and data-quality expectations; oversee consolidation, validation, analysis and management reporting.
• Track commitments, outcomes and value delivered, and provide decision-useful insights to leadership.

Stakeholders, social performance & materiality

• Oversee stakeholder engagement and materiality assessment processes involving employees, host communities, investors and supply chain partners.
• Guide Business Units on identification and management of material social risks, impacts, grievances, commitments and stakeholder expectations.
• Support credible engagement with regulators, consultants, assurance providers and other external parties.

QUALIFICATION & REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree in environmental science, physical sciences, environmental engineering, sustainability, related discipline; relevant PhD or DBA will be an added advantage.
• Relevant professional certification or advanced training in environmental management, ISO 14001, ESG/sustainability strategy, sustainability reporting, social performance, audit or assurance is strongly preferred.
• Typically 10-15 years’ progressive experience in environment, social performance and sustainability, including significant leadership responsibility in a diversified industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, marine, extractive or energy organisation.
• Demonstrated experience developing enterprise-wide standards, governance frameworks, multi-site programmes, assurance processes and executive-level performance reports.
• Strong knowledge of applicable environmental and social legislation, international good practice, lender expectations and major sustainability frameworks and disclosure standards.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders, lead multidisciplinary networks, manage consultants and translate complex technical and stakeholder issues into clear business decisions.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Enterprise leadership, strategic thinking and strong personal accountability.
• Environmental and social governance, regulatory compliance and risk-based assurance.
• Sustainability strategy, ESG integration and programme portfolio management.
• Materiality, stakeholder engagement, social performance and grievance governance.
• Sustainability disclosure, performance measurement, data assurance and executive reporting.
• Influencing without direct authority, cross-functional collaboration and change leadership.
• Technical judgement, analytical problem-solving and sound business acumen.
• Coaching, mentoring, capability building and professional-network leadership.
• Clear communication, credible external representation and high ethical standards.