372 Sustainability jobs in South Africa

At EY, we believe sustainability is the innovation opportunity of our lifetime. Enterprises and people are inspired now more than ever to do the right thing, to collaborate, innovate and accelerate to a more sustainable future. Our Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCASS) team is growing exponentially, and as a consultant within the team you’ll play a key role in that growth. Working in a dynamic and purpose-led team, you’ll develop your career through exceptional diverse experience advising our clients in a range of ESG risks and opportunities to create shared long-term value.

Qualifications

The nature of this role means no two projects will be the same. That means you’ll need to think on your feet and challenge existing practices to develop answers to complex issues. You’ll also be collaborating with colleagues across multiple service lines and disciplines to provide our clients with integrated solutions, so a key part of your role will be to build relationships and develop talent. In a modern hybrid working environment supported by cutting-edge technology, travel and on-site work will still be required from time to time as you will be meeting with key clients and overseeing engagement teams.

Skills and attributes for success

The successful candidate will have some experience in ESG advisory and ideally helping our clients to define strategies to address climate change as part of their corporate sustainability journeys.

1. Consulting experience with clients on sustainability and climate change related topics, spanning research and analysis of relevant matters, development of presentations and models to support decision making and communications and project management skills
2. Working as part of Engagement teams to understand our clients’ unique needs, ambitions and expectations and to deploy appropriate strategies and tools to meet these
3. Building relationships with colleagues across multiple service lines to provide seamless integrated service
4. Managing performance and identifying opportunities to improve our products and processes
5. An appetite to grow and develop as part of a networked and diverse organisation

To qualify for the role, you must have

1. A degree or postgraduate degree (preferably a Master’s-level degree) in a technical climate change field (e.g., environmental management, energy engineering, climate change), as well as experience and/or qualifications in a business management-related field (e.g., financial, legal, change management, strategy etc.) and 3 years of relevant experience
2. Strong technical writing skills and advanced analytical skills
3. Experience in climate change specific topics will be an advantage, such as:

• Ability to complete GHG assessments and carbon accounting in line with good international practice, e.g., ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard
• Understanding of the South African regulatory regime for climate change, including carbon tax, pollution prevention plans, energy management plans, carbon offsets, carbon budgets and energy reporting
• Exposure to various climate change disclosures such as the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) or Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and potentially experience in assurance of climate change related sustainability data as part of company’s annual reporting in line with GRI/ SABS
• Other potential skills related to Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and related cradle to grave assessment tools, energy (resource) efficiency assessments and management systems in line with ISO 50001, Science Based Targets development, and Marginal Abatement Cost Curves (MACC)

What we look for:

We’re interested in versatile people with the ability to take on new responsibilities and listen to clients to get things done. We’re not just looking for sustainability experience — we’re after genuinely interesting people with the ability to build relationships, negotiate and think in unique and creative new ways. If you’re a confident leader with a curious mind and the ability to solve complex issues, this role is for you.

What working at EY offers

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognised for the value you bring to our business.

Plus, we offer

• A collaborative environment where everyone works together to create a better working world
• Excellent training and development prospects, both through established programs and on-the-job training
• The EY Sustainability MBA, offered in association with Hult International Business School, through its innovative virtual learning mode is available to all EY employees
• An excellent team of senior colleagues dedicated to managing and varying your work

Management Level

Job Description & Summary

Driven by curiosity, you are a reliable, contributing member of a team. In our fast-paced environment, you are expected to adapt to working with a variety of clients and team members, each presenting varying challenges and scope. Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. You are expected to take ownership and consistently deliver quality work that drives value for our clients and success as a team. As you navigate through the Firm, you build a brand for yourself, opening doors to more opportunities.

Examples of the skills, knowledge, and experiences you need to lead and deliver value at this level include but are not limited to:

• Apply a learning mindset and take ownership for your own development.
• Appreciate diverse perspectives, needs, and feelings of others.
• Adopt habits to sustain high performance and develop your potential.
• Actively listen, ask questions to check understanding, and clearly express ideas.
• Seek, reflect, act on, and give feedback.
• Gather information from a range of sources to analyse facts and discern patterns.
• Commit to understanding how the business works and building commercial awareness.
• Learn and apply professional and technical standards (e.g. refer to specific PwC tax and audit guidance), uphold the Firm's code of conduct and independence requirements.

At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. As we navigate an increasingly complex world, we are dedicated to ensuring that the systems on which communities and economies depend can adapt and thrive. Each role within our organization contributes to this mission, reinforcing our commitment to high ethical standards and the importance of trust.

Our strategy, the Next Era for PwC Africa, is all about generating and sustaining momentum. PwC brings together unique combinations of people, powered by technology, galvanizing ourselves as a community of solvers to outthink, outpace and outperform. The foundation of the strategy is our multidisciplinary model, which allows us to help clients build trust and deliver sustained outcomes by bringing together deep expertise across a broad range of capabilities. It is this combination of capabilities and the ability to look at things from different perspectives that is so essential to delivering high quality and real impacts for clients, stakeholders and society at large in Africa and globally.

Role: Sustainability is one of the most prominent topics in current political and economic discourse. Our Sustainability and Climate Change (S&CC) team provides assurance on key non-financial and sustainability performance indicators and assist clients and statutory audit teams on matters related to safety, health and environment (SHE), with a focus on decommissioning.

Experience in auditing sustainable development, financial and non-financial data, providing assurance of sustainability reports, integrated reports, and other relevant related standards in accordance with ISAE 3000 and others will be to your advantage.

As an associate, you will be required to have a basic understanding of environmental legislation and its application. You will be required to perform decommissioning, site restoration, mine rehabilitation and closure liability assessments reviews in support of the financial audit. You will be required to perform environmental license and permit condition compliance reviews that support the financial audit.

The role is a fixed-term contract for 3 years, with the possibility of becoming permanent after 3 years.

We’re looking for:

A BCom / BSc degree, preferably with Honours or Masters in:

● Social Science ( e.g. Sociology, Economics, Geography)

● Environmental Science ( e.g. Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Environmental Science/Management, Climate Science, Hydrogeology, Hydrology)

Our team includes people with a wide range of experience and qualifications (including environmental scientists, economists, social scientists and chartered accountants). You will be well-placed to learn from all of them and arm yourself with the skills and experience to forge an exciting career in sustainability.

PwC Values: Our five core values guide our actions and define who we are. To really stand out and make us fit for the future in a constantly changing world, each and every one of us needs to be an authentic and inclusive leader. We therefore look for candidates with behaviors that align with PwC Professional attributes.

We are looking for someone with enthusiasm, energy, and an inquisitive mind. You should be prepared to learn a lot in a short space of time and apply yourself with commitment and determination to both clients and internal projects.

We emphasize building trust through professionalism, ethical behavior, and a commitment to quality in all our interactions, whether with clients, colleagues, or the broader community. We respect privacy and confidentiality, and we strive for transparency in our operations, demonstrating care and integrity in our relationships.

As part of our human-led, tech-powered approach, we empower our people through technology and foster an environment were speaking up is encouraged, and diverse perspectives are celebrated. By embodying these principles in our daily work, we can collectively drive impactful outcomes that resonate with our clients and society as a whole. Together, let's embrace our purpose and values to create meaningful change.

Travel Requirements

Available for Work Visa Sponsorship?

Job Posting End Date

Company Description

SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance, and sustainability.

To perform below Sustainability activities in the region using an efficient and consistent application of sustainability guidelines and policies in order to guarantee the achievement of Sustainability goals. To coordinate, assist in developing, implementing and monitoring a Sustainability Management system with all key stakeholders to ensure sustainability of the SGS business and long-term competitive advantage.

Sustainability Management System – Environment - People – Business

• Support affiliate and assists in developing, implementing, communicating and managing Sustainability Management Systems and related projects at country or/and regional levels
• Programmes and Projects
  • Develop projects based on programmes outlined by HQ. Develop affiliate and/or regional specific projects in line with HQ targets and country or/and regionalneeds.
  • Based on Corporate Sustainability factsheets identify strength, weaknesses and gaps of affiliate and/or region. Develop improvement measures and set targets in line with HQ targets.
  • Identify opportunities
  • Draft project proposals
  • Take the lead and involve MD, Business Managers, line managers, staff as appropriate
  • Support functions in project delivery, e.g. meetings, research, drafting of findings, analysis and reports
  • Develop and implement project management plans for all projects
  • Take responsibility for the day-to-day management of project budgets
  • Oversee other team members' contributions to projects, both superiors and subordinates
  • Contribute to corporate database of best practices in Sustainability
  • Arrange company volunteering activities
• Key performance indicators and reporting
  • Coordinate, support, assist and guide affiliate and/or region, business and respective contact people to gather critical data and KPI’s to run sustainability management systems and reach targets
  • Enable and ensure on time delivery of critical data for annual sustainability report
  • Ensure materiality and accuracy of data
  • Issue bi-annual and annual reports of all sustainability activities
  • Collaborate with Finance on findings and deliverables to affiliate and or regional management
  • Demonstrate care and responsibility in the quality and timelines of deliverables
  • Support and drive the 2030 sustainability ambitions & targets, at country level
  • Collaborate with regional sustainability, with focus on energy efficiency and science-based target initiatives
• Internal Audit and Report Assurance
  • Manage and support the internal audit system
  • Assure documentation traceability for Corporate Sustainability Audit and Corporate Sustainability Report Assurance at country or/and regional level
  • Communication
    • Assist in establishing annual Corporate Sustainability report based on progress reports on Corporate Sustainability key performance indicators
    • Raising awareness and disseminating information on Sustainability to core team members, staff and customers as appropriate
    • Regular communication with Corporate Sustainability team in HQ

Education

• Grade 12 (Matric)
• University-level qualification, with an emphasis on Sustainability (or equivalent)

Experience

• 3 years of exposure and collaboration with corporate sustainability
• Strong project management experience

Required Skills

• Self-starter with excellent business/financial acumen, proficient working with cross-functional teams, including demonstrated motivation, influence, and the ability to drive change across all levels of the organisation and geographical boundaries
• Possess solid computer skills (proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Office) and experience with an ERP system (Oracle is preferred).
• Able to manage a multitude of projects simultaneously.

Job Description

Primary Responsibilities

To perform below Sustainability activities in the region using an efficient and consistent application of sustainability guidelines and policies in order to guarantee the achievement of Sustainability goals. To coordinate, assist in developing, implementing and monitoring a Sustainability Management system with all key stakeholders to ensure sustainability of the SGS business and long-term competitive advantage.

Specific Responsibilities

Sustainability Management System – Environment - People – Business

• Support affiliate and assists in developing, implementing, communicating and managing Sustainability Management Systems and related projects at country or/and regional levels
• Programmes and Projects
  • Develop projects based on programmes outlined by HQ. Develop affiliate and/or regional specific projects in line with HQ targets and country or/and regionalneeds.
  • Based on Corporate Sustainability factsheets identify strength, weaknesses and gaps of affiliate and/or region. Develop improvement measures and set targets in line with HQ targets.
  • Identify opportunities
  • Draft project proposals
  • Take the lead and involve MD, Business Managers, line managers, staff as appropriate
  • Support functions in project delivery, e.g. meetings, research, drafting of findings, analysis and reports
  • Develop and implement project management plans for all projects
  • Take responsibility for the day-to-day management of project budgets
  • Oversee other team members' contributions to projects, both superiors and subordinates
  • Contribute to corporate database of best practices in Sustainability
  • Arrange company volunteering activities
• Key performance indicators and reporting
  • Coordinate, support, assist and guide affiliate and/or region, business and respective contact people to gather critical data and KPI’s to run sustainability management systems and reach targets
  • Enable and ensure on time delivery of critical data for annual sustainability report
  • Ensure materiality and accuracy of data
  • Issue bi-annual and annual reports of all sustainability activities
  • Collaborate with Finance on findings and deliverables to affiliate and or regional management
  • Demonstrate care and responsibility in the quality and timelines of deliverables
  • Support and drive the 2030 sustainability ambitions & targets, at country level
  • Collaborate with regional sustainability, with focus on energy efficiency and science-based target initiatives
• Internal Audit and Report Assurance
  • Manage and support the internal audit system
  • Assure documentation traceability for Corporate Sustainability Audit and Corporate Sustainability Report Assurance at country or/and regional level
  • Communication
    • Assist in establishing annual Corporate Sustainability report based on progress reports on Corporate Sustainability key performance indicators
    • Raising awareness and disseminating information on Sustainability to core team members, staff and customers as appropriate
    • Regular communication with Corporate Sustainability team in HQ

Education

• Grade 12 (Matric)
• University-level qualification, with an emphasis on Sustainability (or equivalent)

Experience

• 3 years of exposure and collaboration with corporate sustainability

Required Skills

• Self-starter with excellent business/financial acumen, proficient working with cross-functional teams, including demonstrated motivation, influence, and the ability to drive change across all levels of the organisation and geographical boundaries
• Possess solid computer skills (proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Office) and experience with an ERP system (Oracle is preferred).
• Able to manage a multitude of projects simultaneously.

Management Level

Job Description & Summary

Focused on relationships, you are building meaningful client connections, and learning how to manage and inspire others. Navigating increasingly complex situations, you are growing your personal brand, deepening technical expertise and awareness of your strengths. You are expected to anticipate the needs of your teams and clients, and to deliver quality. Embracing increased ambiguity, you are comfortable when the path forward isn’t clear, you ask questions, and you use these moments as opportunities to grow.

Examples of the skills, knowledge, and experiences you need to lead and deliver value at this level include but are not limited to:

• Respond effectively to the diverse perspectives, needs, and feelings of others.
• Use a broad range of tools, methodologies and techniques to generate new ideas and solve problems.
• Use critical thinking to break down complex concepts.
• Understand the broader objectives of your project or role and how your work fits into the overall strategy.
• Develop a deeper understanding of the business context and how it is changing.
• Use reflection to develop self awareness, enhance strengths and address development areas.
• Interpret data to inform insights and recommendations.
• Uphold and reinforce professional and technical standards (e.g. refer to specific PwC tax and audit guidance), the Firm's code of conduct, and independence requirements.

At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. As we navigate an increasingly complex world, we are dedicated to ensuring that the systems on which communities and economies depend can adapt and thrive. Each role within our organization contributes to this mission, reinforcing our commitment to high ethical standards and the importance of trust.

Our strategy, the Next Era for PwC Africa, is all about generating and sustaining momentum. PwC brings together unique combinations of people, powered by technology, galvanizing ourselves as a community of solvers to outthink, outpace and outperform. The foundation of the strategy is our multidisciplinary model, which allows us to help clients build trust and deliver sustained outcomes by bringing together deep expertise across a broad range of capabilities. It is this combination of capabilities and the ability to look at things from different perspectives that is so essential to delivering high quality and real impacts for clients, stakeholders and society at large in Africa and globally.

Role: Sustainability is one of the most prominent topics in current political and economic discourse. Our Sustainability and Climate Change (S&CC) team provides assurance on key non-financial and sustainability performance indicators and assist clients and statutory audit teams on matters related to safety, health and environment (SHE), with a focus on decommissioning.

Experience in auditing sustainable development, financial and non-financial data, providing assurance of sustainability reports, integrated reports, and other relevant related standards in accordance with ISAE 3000 and others will be to your advantage . Will also involve the auditing of systems, controls and quantitative and qualitative data and information.

Additional : Supporting the broader team on methodolog ies will involve developing tools and techniques, presenting on internal training, being part of internal teams to evolve and develop this specialty and being the technical support to specific engagements.

Specific outputs with regard to client assignments include:

• Ensuring proper planning and documentation of fieldwork.

• Managing teams.

• Identifying weaknesses in procedures, systems and controls.

• Assessing and analysing information obtained and interpreting findings.

• Performing gap analysis between current state and desired future state.

• Attending and documenting meetings with Senior Execs and Board members.

• Compiling management reports.

• Leading site visits.

• Coaching junior team members

• Delivering value added services to clients.

• Building and maintaining relationships with clients.

We’re looking for:

A BCom / BSc degree, preferably with Honours or Masters in:

• Social Science ( e.g. Sociology, Economics, Geography)

• Environmental Science ( e.g. Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Environmental Science/Management, Climate Science, Hydrogeology, Hydrology)

3-5 years working experience in related fields; i.e. sustainability and non-financial assurance , decommissioning , mine closure and site restoration.

Our team includes people with a wide range of experience and qualifications (including environmental scientists, economists, social scientists and chartered accountants). You will be well-placed to learn from all of them and arm yourself with the skills and experience to forge an exciting career in sustainability.

We looking for s trong technical skills in the area of sustainability principles , s trong interpersonal and communication skills, including written documents , a bility to work under pressure , a ttention to detail and willingness to work overtime , b uilding and sustaining relationships , l eading and contributing to team success , d eveloping self and others through coaching , a cquiring and applying commercial and technical expertise , b eing curious – learning, sharing and innovating , d emonstrating courage and integrity , and w illing to travel .

PwC Values: Our five core values guide our actions and define who we are. To really stand out and make us fit for the future in a constantly changing world, each and every one of us needs to be an authentic and inclusive leader. We therefore look for candidates with behaviors that align with PwC Professional attributes.

We are looking for someone with enthusiasm, energy, and an inquisitive mind. You should be prepared to learn a lot in a short space of time and apply yourself with commitment and determination to both clients and internal projects.

We emphasize building trust through professionalism, ethical behavior, and a commitment to quality in all our interactions, whether with clients, colleagues, or the broader community. We respect privacy and confidentiality, and we strive for transparency in our operations, demonstrating care and integrity in our relationships.

As part of our human-led, tech-powered approach, we empower our people through technology and foster an environment were speaking up is encouraged, and diverse perspectives are celebrated. By embodying these principles in our daily work, we can collectively drive impactful outcomes that resonate with our clients and society as a whole. Together, let's embrace our purpose and values to create meaningful change.

Travel Requirements

Available for Work Visa Sponsorship?

Job Posting End Date

• Develop, implement, and manage sustainability programs
• Create and maintain policies, procedures, and work instructions for energy, water, and waste
• Conduct audits, risk assessments, and ensure non-conformances are closed on time
• Capture, monitor, and analyse sustainability data and compile monthly reports
• Drive waste reduction, recycling, and community/environmental initiatives
• Support compliance with sustainability standards and certifications
• Conduct employee awareness campaigns, toolbox talks, and sustainability newsletters
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to ensure targets are met
• Monitor new sustainable technologies and recommend improvements
• Provide administrative support: reports, meetings, minutes, and project coordination
• Support farmers and suppliers with compliance and sustainability audits where required

• Relevant Degree (BSc preferred; BCom or similar with suitable experience)
• Minimum 3 years experience in a sustainability-related role
• Computer literate (Word, Excel and Power Point)
• Experience with sustainability management systems advantageous
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills

Overview

The primary objective of the CSO is to provide executive leadership, advisory and strategic guidance in working towards the realization of a Corporate Sustainability Strategy to the Company's Board, CEO and EXMA.

In pursuance of this primary objective, the CSO is required to:

• Establish, implement and maintain Sustainability policies, procedures, and practices;
• Create awareness on sustainability policies, procedures and practices to staff at all levels;
• Develop and implement Sustainability long and short term strategies with clear and SMART targets to encourage best practices;
• Supervise employees or volunteers working on sustainability projects;
• Play advisory role on sustainability to Executive Management and the Board;
• Research environmental sustainability issues, concerns, or stakeholder interests;
• Develop methodologies to assess the viability or success of sustainability initiatives;
• Work with Marketing & Communications and participate in relevant external platforms on sustainability issues on behalf of the Company, playing an advocacy role to ensure the Company is well positioned in the market from a brand perspective;
• Evaluate and approve proposals for sustainability projects, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, technical feasibility, and integration with other initiatives;
• Devise the best tools and systems to monitor performance and to implement strategies;
• Assessing, analyzing, and collating Sustainability performance data and reporting information to internal staff, clients, and regulatory bodies;
• Integrate Sustainability Principles and ISO 26000:2020 into all business processes;
• Conduct Sustainability Assessments for all projects and ensure that the sustainability principles are incorporated accordingly;
• Develop and publish an annual Sustainability report as per the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI);
• Ensure Compliance to all Sustainability related commitments (Local, Provincial, National and International);
• Develop and Maintain a Sustainability Legal Register to ensure compliance with legal requirements;
• Keeping up to date with relevant changes in Sustainability, related legislations and initiatives including international legislation where applicable;
• Managing Sustainability strategy budgets;
• Acting as a champion or cheerleader for Sustainability issues within the Company;
• Develop breakthrough innovations and projects to enhance the Company’s positive contribution to sustainability;
• Lead relevant research and innovation initiatives;
• Oversee all the Company’s Safety, Health, Environmental & Quality functions, to ensure integration into all its activities and achieve high levels of compliance and standards including, gaining and retaining the relevant ISO certifications and / or other relevant performance standards.

• Post-graduate degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability or other related fields including Earth/ Natural Sciences;
• A qualification in resource / sustainability economics will be an added advantage;
• Minimum 5-10 years of senior management work experience with environmental and sustainability sciences coupled with risk management of infrastructure / energy / industry;
• Experience in project management, including leading expert teams and working with senior stakeholders;
• Strong knowledge of and experience working with Local and International Environmental standards and systems.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Superlative and creative problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Thorough and current knowledge of sustainability practices, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to analyze and understand research and to identify relevant and valuable information.
• Extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to create, interpret, and execute a budget.
• Presentation skills required to deliver proposals to varying groups of individuals.