Senior Sustainability Specialist

Location: Fully remote, ideally aligned with Lisbon time zone

Salary range: EUR 50,000 to EUR 55,000

Experience: Expected 8+ years of professional experience in social and environmental due diligence or impact assessment in infrastructure projects (ideally hydropower)

Special things about this job

  • Purpose – We are committed to sustainable development and a just transition to a low carbon world.

  • Global impact – Our team is spread in different countries and our work is delivered around the world. From Indonesia to Colombia, UK to South Africa, Indonesia to Tajikistan – name the continent, we will probably be working there!

  • 100% remote work – Really means working from anywhere.

  • Transparency and flexibility – With the support of your line manager, you set your objectives, organise your time and deliver at your own pace.  No strict schedules, no micromanagement.

  • Career growth – In many ways, the person makes the job. If the basic functions are addressed, there are no boundaries for your career evolution at HSA.

The job

As the Senior Sustainability Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in implementing the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) across the globe. You will be at the forefront of project delivery, directly reporting to the Executive Deputy Director.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Managing and implementing capacity building projects as country lead, including liaising with key stakeholders, managing budgets and reporting.

  • Providing consultancy services to hydropower developers and operators, including organising and delivering training courses and workshops, conducting assisted assessments and preparing for official assessments.

  • Delivering online and in-person training courses as part of the HS Training Academy.

  • Driving research and policy on how to embed the HSS in hydropower permitting, climate finance opportunities (RE100, Verra, RECs, etc.) and regional legislation (EU Taxonomy or ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainability Finance, etc.).

  • Supporting technical content development based on state-of-the-art knowledge and science, including development of How-to guides, updates to the HSS and reporting manuals for Accredited Assessors.

 

About you

We are looking for a seasoned professional with a passion for sustainability and a strong knowledge of socio-environmental due diligence in infrastructure projects.

You should have:

  • At least 8 years of professional experience in environmental impact assessment or similar consulting practice (ideally in hydropower).

  • A strong track record in auditing and a comprehensive understanding of compliance and regulatory requirements.

  • Consulting experience that has equipped you with the skills and confidence to offer strategic advice and practical solutions to diverse stakeholders. This will be important when representing the HSA in meetings or workshops.

  • Experience in international development and travel. Field experience in multiple countries is desirable.

  • A proven ability to engage effectively with high-level government representatives, energy companies, financial institutions, and development agencies.

  • Experience engaging with civil society groups, such as international NGOs, community-based organisations or project-affected communities, is desirable.

  • Strong communication skills and a diplomatic approach to build strong relationships and foster collaboration among diverse groups.

  • Comfortable working in a global context and managing projects across different time zones and cultural settings.

  • Fluency in English and preferably in 1-2 other languages (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian, Bahasa Indonesia, etc.)

This role will involve a lot of international travel (~ 6 per year). Potential applicants should consider whether they can handle a heavy travel schedule.

If you are a proactive, experienced professional with a commitment to sustainability and a desire to work on impactful projects worldwide, you can expect to do your best work and build a career with us.

Some of the benefits

  • Equal pay irrespective of location

  • Fully remote

  • Flexible hours

  • Insurance

  • Annual all-expenses-paid staff retreat

  • A new laptop (Apple if you prefer) and all equipment you’ll need to work

The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance

The HSA is an international organisation working to promote transparency and inclusivity in the hydropower sector.

We are a small team designing and implementing the world’s best sustainability standard for hydropower. And we want to be the leading force in driving transparency, social equity and environmental protection in the renewables sector.

We are structured as an alliance of NGOs, academia, private sector companies, governments and financiers committed to shaping a more sustainable, just and equitable transition.

We manage and implement the Hydropower Sustainability Standard. In simple terms, we certify the sustainability of hydropower projects, train professionals around the world, and build capacity in countries that need it the most.

At HSA, we believe the best work happens when you have a balanced lifestyle. Transparency and intellectual honesty are at the core of everything we do. We are all adults, and we always strive to enable an environment of trust and collaboration.