Projects and Environmental Officer

Job Title:                         Projects and Environmental Officer
Department:                   Compliance & Environmental Management
Reporting To:                 Chief Operating Officer
Employment Type:          Full-Time

Job Summary:

The Projects and Environmental Officer will:

1. Ensure compliance with environmental regulations within the scope of WEEE, Lighting and Battery PRO operations for both Producers and Service Providers.
2. Be responsible for managing Enterprise Development, Supplier Development  and Socio Economic Projects as initiated by ERA.

The incumbent will conduct site visits, perform compliance checks, inspect facilities, and provide guidance on environmental policies, procedures, and best practices. This role requires extensive knowledge of waste management regulatory frameworks, project management, budgetary controls and the ability to monitor and evaluate  effectively.

The incumbent will also further assist with the successful implementation of Projects within the realms of Enterprise development, Infrastructure densification, SMME Development and Informal Collectors. He/she will also play a critical role in the development and expansion of the Service Provision footprint nationally.

Key roles and responsibilities:

1. Regulatory compliance

• Monitor and ensure compliance with the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (NEMWA), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and PRO notices.
• Assist in conducting compliance audits of service providers, including recyclers, transporters, and storage facilities.
• Verify that waste management licenses, permits, and environmental compliance documentation are in place and up to date.
• Review and assess environmental management plans (EMPs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in compiling reports for ERA and stakeholders, ensuring accurate and timely submission of required documentation.

2. Site inspections and monitoring

• Undertake the necessary due diligence studies on prospective service providers at the take on stage of business development.
• Assist in conducting regular site visits to assess compliance with waste handling, storage, and disposal regulations.
• Identify non-compliance risks and provide recommendations for corrective action.
• Assist in overseeing the proper classification, sorting, and dismantling of e-waste in accordance with environmental and hazardous waste guidelines.
• Track proper record-keeping of waste movements, treatment processes, and disposal documentation.

3. Policy development and advisory

• Provide advice on environmental policies, procedures, and guidelines for ERA department operations.
• Assist in developing and implementing environmental compliance checklists, training materials, and standard operating procedures.
• Assist in the review and revision of internal environmental management frameworks to align with evolving regulations.
• Support the development of corporate sustainability and EPR strategies in line with industry best practices.

4. Stakeholder engagement and training

• Assist in liaising with regulatory authorities, industry bodies, and service providers to ensure alignment with compliance requirements.
• Assist in conduct training sessions and workshops for internal staff and external stakeholders on environmental compliance, e-waste handling, and reporting obligations.
• Identify training gaps within the service provision network and assist ERA in sourcing industry approved training material and facilitators.
• Assist in responding to queries and provide guidance on environmental regulatory matters affecting WEEE PRO operations.

5.  Project management

• Ensure that all ERA projects have a Business case/plan.
• Ensure that a budget is established for all projects.
• Translate the project budgets into 12 months spread cash flows for usage by the finance officer.
• Monitor drawdowns against spread cash flows.
• Establish timelines and milestones for all projects.
• Map all projects by way of a GANNT chart.
• Understand dependencies within projects and unlock challenges to ensure smooth operational flow of projects.
• Keep the Executive team abreast of all projects on a monthly basis, and present business cases at the initiation stage to the Executive team.
• Liaise with the project administration support team as regards infrastructure placements, job creation and  reporting statistics.

6. Reporting and data management

• Maintain comprehensive records of compliance audits, site inspections, and regulatory correspondence.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly environmental compliance reports for management and regulatory bodies.
• Assist in tracking and analysing environmental performance indicators, identifying trends and improvement opportunities.x

Qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s / post-graduate degree in environmental science, environmental management, waste management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in project management, environmental compliance, waste management, or a related role.
• Knowledge of waste management regulatory frameworks, including EPR regulations and NEMWA.
• Experience conducting compliance audits and site inspections in the waste management sector.
• Exposure to Enterprise Development and Socio Economic projects.
• Strong understanding of e-waste handling, recycling processes, and hazardous waste classification.
• Familiarity with the reporting requirements of regulatory bodies.
• Ability to develop and implement environmental policies and procedures.

Key skills and competencies:

• Strong knowledge of environmental legislation relevant to WEEE and EPR.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify compliance risks.
• Effective communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to conduct training and present environmental compliance guidelines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and environmental reporting tools.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Project Management experience
• Mapping and upholding project management record keeping.
• Fully conversant in English, Afrikaans and one further South African language.

Working conditions:

• Office-based work with regular site visits to recycling, dismantling, and storage facilities.
• Travel to different operational site and or projects s as required nationally.
• Occasional extended hours to meet reporting deadlines or regulatory inspections.

Performance Indicators:

• Compliance audit scores and risk assessment reports.
• Number of non-compliance incidents identified and resolved.
• Timeliness and accuracy of regulatory submissions.
• Effectiveness of policies and procedures implemented.
• Stakeholder feedback on training and advisory support.
• Budget management.
• Project management.

Remuneration:

• CTC Annual Salary of R450,000
• Employee benefits program

Closing Date:  16 April 2025

Company Description

ERA is a Non-Profit Company (NPC) and Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) specialising in Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment and Lighting (WEEEL)
We work across industries to facilitate and implement the country’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations, an environmental policy aimed at producers’ responsibility for the post-consumer stage of their products’ life cycle.
ERA is dedicated to the improvement of waste management and recycling in South Africa, with a particular focus on Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment and Lighting (WEEEL) – which includes electronic waste, lighting and batteries.

We achieve this by working with South Africa’s WEEEL producers through our EPR Schemes, which aligns with companies Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets; the strategic densification of recycling infrastructure; investing in and partnering with service providers, with a focus on SMMEs and vulnerable groups; advocating for improved public awareness; ongoing engagement with government; and strengthening networks for the entire value chain with knowledge-sharing and partnerships.

Towards a growing, greener South Africa.

WEEEL in particular needs to be produced in an environmentally sensitive manner and then managed correctly at the end of its life cycle, because it can contain toxic materials that harm the environment – or valuable parts that should be re-used and not go to waste.

Posted on 02 Apr 12:42, Closing date 16 Apr