About the Role
The EHS Officer supports the implementation and day-to-day operation of Ashipa Electric's Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) across the company's mini-grid projects — ensuring compliance with the company's E&S Policy, national regulations, and lender/investor standards throughout site selection, design, construction, and operation.
The role is central to identifying, avoiding, and managing environmental and social risks, and to maintaining transparent, trust-based relationships with host communities. The successful candidate will work directly across field and office environments, engaging regulators, contractors, communities, and project teams with equal effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities
Implementation & Compliance
Maintain and update the company ESMS manual, legal register, training matrix, and E&S documentation.
Ensure all projects follow ESMS procedures and drive continual improvement.
Track E&S KPIs and present monthly E&S performance dashboards to management.
Site Screening & Risk Categorisation
Screen candidate sites against the Exclusion List and complete the Initial E&S Screening Checklist.
Apply VLD Guidelines for land donations and support fair, transparent land acquisition processes.
Categorise sites as Category I [High-Risk] or Category II [Low-Risk] and advise on required studies.
E&S Studies, Consent & Permitting
Coordinate required studies by category: ESIA, ESMP, RAP and/or LRP for Category I; ESMP for Category II.
Develop and implement Stakeholder Engagement Plans and Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) for all projects.
Ensure E&S risks for gender, vulnerable groups, and SEA/GBV are identified and mitigated.
Track and secure all environmental/social clearances and permits from REA, NESREA, and state MDAs before construction.
Community Relations & GRM
Maintain the GRM register; ensure grievances are logged, investigated, and closed out within agreed timelines.
Support monthly community engagement and feedback sessions.
Promote gender inclusion and the protection of vulnerable persons in all project areas.
Reporting
Prepare periodic E&S and HSE compliance reports for REA, lenders, investors, and internal management.
Maintain records of trainings, audits, inspections, permits, and non-conformances.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Social Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, or a related field.
2 - 4 years of experience in EHS or community relations roles, ideally in energy or infrastructure.
Strong grasp of E&S risk management, stakeholder engagement, and grievance handling.
Good report-writing, record-keeping, and independent field-based work skills.
Willingness and ability to travel to remote project sites, including extended stays during project phases.
Advantageous
Familiarity with lender E&S standards, including IFC Performance Standards.
Working knowledge of Nigerian regulatory bodies and processes — REA, NESREA, and state MDAs (Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.)
Experience coordinating ESIAs (Environmental and Social Impact Assessments), ESMPs (Environmental and Social Management Plans), RAPs (Remedial Action Plan), or similar studies with external consultants.
Prior exposure to gender mainstreaming and SEA/GBV risk management in community-facing roles.
Core Competencies
E&S Risk Management: Identifies, assesses, and mitigates environmental and social risks across the project lifecycle.
Regulatory & Standards Fluency: Navigates Nigerian E&S regulations and lender standards including IFC Performance Standards.
Community Engagement: Builds trust with host communities through transparent, inclusive, and consistent engagement.
Documentation & Reporting: Maintains rigorous records, compliance dashboards, and reports for regulators and investors.
Field Independence: Operates effectively in remote and rural project environments with limited day-to-day supervision.
Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinates across contractors, communities, regulators, and internal teams with clarity.
Success Metrics
ESMS Compliance Rate
Grievance Resolution Timeliness
Permit & Clearance Readiness
E&S Audit Outcomes
Community Engagement Consistency
Incident & Non-Conformance Rate