Principal Environmental Consultant Marine & Coastal
Skills
About This Role
About The Company
SLR is a global leader in environmental and sustainability advisory, with over 100 offices across 13 countries.
We partner with clients to deliver innovative, science-based solutions that advance sustainable development.
As part of our strategic growth across the Middle East, we are strengthening our Dubai presence to support major marine and coastal developments across the UAE, KSA, and wider MENA region, including ports and terminals, offshore renewables, dredging and reclamation, subsea infrastructure, desalination facilities, coastal tourism developments, and strategic industrial projects.
Joining SLR means becoming part of a collaborative One Team culture where expertise is shared across disciplines and borders, and where your leadership directly shapes environmentally responsible development in some of the region’s most sensitive marine environments.
Job Purpose
We are seeking a Principal Environmental Consultant – Marine & Coastal ESIA to provide technical and strategic leadership on complex marine Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) from our Dubai office.
This is a senior leadership role suited to an established marine ESIA specialist with extensive experience delivering large-scale coastal and offshore projects in alignment with UAE and regional regulatory frameworks and international lender standards (IFC Performance Standards, EBRD Performance Requirements, Equator Principles, World Bank ESS).
Registration with DECCA (Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority) is advantageous.
However, we welcome experienced international marine specialists willing to relocate to Dubai, with attractive relocation support provided.
You will act as a technical authority within SLR’s Middle East business, driving excellence in marine impact assessment, regulatory strategy, client engagement, and sector growth.
The role requires a proactive, solutions-driven individual with demonstrated experience in managing people and large-scale environmental and social projects, engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership on marine and coastal ESIA projects across the UAE, KSA and wider MENA region
- Lead complex assessments for ports, offshore infrastructure, dredging and reclamation, marine outfalls, subsea cables/pipelines, offshore renewables, and coastal developments
- Direct marine baseline programmes (benthic ecology, coral reefs, seagrass, fisheries, marine mammals, water quality, hydrodynamics, sediment transport)
- Lead marine impact modelling and cumulative impact assessments in highly sensitive coastal environments
- Act as primary technical advisor to clients, regulators, and lenders
- Interface directly with UAE regulators (including Dubai-based authorities), regional environmental agencies, and international financing institutions
- Align projects with international standards (IFC PS, World Bank ESS, EBRD PRs, Equator Principles)
- Provide strategic environmental risk advice at feasibility and concept design stage
- Oversee preparation, technical review, and submission of high-quality ESIA and permitting documentation
- Lead multidisciplinary marine teams, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely delivery
- Drive business development within the marine and coastal sector, including proposal leadership and client development
- Mentor and develop junior and mid-level consultants, strengthening SLR’s marine capability in the region
What We Are Looking For
- 12+ years of experience in environmental consulting, with extensive marine ESIA leadership experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Marine Science, Environmental Science, Oceanography, Coastal Engineering, or related discipline
- Demonstrated experience delivering ESIAs for marine/coastal infrastructure projects
- Strong knowledge of UAE and regional environmental permitting frameworks
- DECCA registration (preferred but not mandatory)
- Strong working knowledge of international lender standards (IFC, World Bank, EBRD, etc.)
- Experience leading large, multidisciplinary technical teams
- Strong understanding of marine modelling, cumulative impacts, and coastal processes
- Proven ability to manage complex regulatory and stakeholder environments
- Demonstrated experience in business development and proposal leadership
- Fluent in English (Arabic advantageous)
- Willingness to travel across the Middle East and Africa
- Should have a valid driver's license
Why Join SLR?
- Lead technically complex, regionally significant marine projects
- Influence sustainable coastal development in rapidly evolving environments
- Work within a global network of marine and sustainability experts
- Thrive in a collaborative, flexible One Team culture
- Attractive relocation support for international candidates
- Play a defining role in growing SLR’s marine and coastal practice in the Middle East
Technical / Behavioural Requirements
- Exceptional technical report writing and critical review capability
- Strong project and financial management skills (budgets, risk management, delivery oversight)
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness
- Advanced stakeholder engagement and regulatory negotiation skills
- Ability to operate confidently at senior client and regulator level
- Strong leadership presence and mentoring capability
- Ability to manage multiple complex workstreams in a fast-paced environment
- High attention to detail and commitment to technical excellence
- *SLR’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered part of the recruitment process.
- We actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
- SLR is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity and inclusion.*
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