JOB DESCRIPTION
We are looking for a Senior ESG Specialist to join our Corporate Strategy & Planning team. The Senior ESG Specialist will support the implementation of ESG initiatives at operational level, ensuring alignment with UAE regulatory requirements, national sustainability strategies, and corporate ESG objectives. Some of the key responsibilities would be as below:
1. ESG Data Collection, Compliance & Reporting
- Support Operations teams in the collection, validation, and management of ESG data, including energy, water, waste, and emissions.
- Ensure ESG data processes align with UAE regulatory requirements, including UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, and Local authority requirements (e.g. Dubai Municipality, Abu Dhabi DoE, relevant Free Zone authorities).
- Support the central ESG team with data consolidation, analysis, and interpretation for: ESG reporting (e.g. GRI-aligned ESG report), and Internal dashboards and performance tracking.
- Strengthen governance, documentation, and controls around ESG data to support audits and assurance.
- Identification ESG-related operational and regulatory risks, including non-compliance with environmental requirement and escalate internally to ensure prompt response.
2. Energy & Water Efficiency
- Identify and support implementation of energy and water efficiency initiatives across existing data center facilities
- Collaborate with Engineering and Operations to: Assess optimization opportunities, Track performance improvements, Embed efficiency measures into operational procedures.
- Support the planning and implementation of on-site solar PV projects across existing facilities.
- Support monitoring of renewable energy performance and contribution to clean energy and decarbonization targets.
4. Waste Management & Zero Waste Strategy
- Support the QHSE team in the development and implementation of a Zero Waste strategy, aligned with: UAE circular economy policies, Local waste management regulations.
- Assist in mapping waste streams, defining improvement initiatives, and monitoring diversion from landfill.
- Engage with contractors, suppliers, and waste service providers to improve segregation, recycling, and reporting practices.
5. Management Systems, ISO & Best Practices
- Support implementation and continuous improvement of ISO management systems, including ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 50001 (Energy Management), Other relevant standards as applicable.
- Contribute to the development, maintenance, and optimization of procedures, processes, and documentation.
- Support internal and external audits, including corrective action tracking.
- Facilitate sharing of best practices across UAE sites and with the central ESG team.
6. Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
- Act as a key liaison between site teams, central ESG, engineering, QHSE, and corporate functions.
- Provide ESG inputs to internal teams to ensure ESG is integrates into major retrofits, ensuring alignment with regulatory approvals, energy efficiency standards, and corporate ESG frameworks. Support ESG team in reviewing sustainability integration into new data centers development.
- Collaborate effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including Site operations and facility management teams, Engineering and project teams, QHSE professionals, Utilities, regulators, and local authorities, Consultants, auditors, and suppliers.
- Design and developing awareness sessions and practical guidance for site teams, contractors, and vendors on ESG requirements, data capture, and operational best practices.
- Communicate ESG requirements and initiatives in a clear, practical, and solution-oriented manner, tailored to operational audiences.
COMPETENCIES
- ESG data collection and reporting.
- UAE sustainability and environmental regulatory landscape.
- Energy, water, and waste management in operational environments.
- Renewable energy systems (solar PV preferred).
- ISO management systems and process-based approaches.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to work across disciplines and seniority levels.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills.
- Proactive, structured, and collaborative working style.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, Sustainability Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 45 years of relevant experience in ESG, environmental management, sustainability, or energy efficiency roles.
- Experience in data centers, critical infrastructure, industrial, or energy-intensive environments strongly preferred.
- Practical experience working with regulatory requirements, ISO systems, and operational teams.
