Biodiversity Consultant

Biodiversity Consultant – Middle East Focus

ERM is seeking to hire a dynamic and driven international biodiversity consultant with demonstrated experience in the Middle East—preferably within the UAE or other GCC countries—to join our Capital Project Delivery Team. As our new colleague, you will work with a diverse group of major corporates and financial institutions to manage material nature‑related risks by safeguarding biodiversity at the asset level and developing ambitious strategies for a nature‑positive transition across the region and globally.

Job Description

• Work within a team to deliver Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) and Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) services to private sector clients and financial institutions on projects across the Middle East and internationally.
• Interpret and apply financial lender standards on biodiversity and ecosystem services (e.g., IFC Performance Standard 6, EBRD PR6) in the development of ESIAs, due diligence reports, and action plans with consideration for regional ecological and regulatory contexts.
• Support the design and execution of biodiversity and ecosystem services baseline surveys in the UAE/GCC region, including supervision of subcontractors, health & safety oversight, and coordination of field logistics in arid and sensitive environments.
• Advise on the implementation of the mitigation hierarchy, including the design and review of Biodiversity Management Plans, Biodiversity Action Plans, Critical Habitat Assessments, and Biodiversity Offset Strategies relevant to the ecological characteristics of the Middle East.
• Review and advise on biodiversity monitoring approaches and actions to achieve net positive impact, with experience in regional habitats such as desert ecosystems, coastal/marine environments, mangroves, and wadis.
• Support corporates in developing biodiversity and nature‑positive strategies that address site‑level and corporate‑level impacts, dependencies, risks, and opportunities within the UAE/GCC context.
• Advise on appropriate biodiversity metrics for both project‑level and portfolio (corporate) use to measure changes to the state of nature.
• Organise and participate in stakeholder meetings, interviews, and workshops, including interactions with regional regulators, government entities, and local communities.

Who are you?

You are passionate about making a tangible contribution to addressing the global nature and biodiversity crisis. You are proactive, culturally aware, and capable of communicating complex topics clearly. Beyond your work experience and technical background, we highly value enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and drive.

Essential attributes include:

• Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, environmental science, or a related discipline. Master’s preferred.
• Approximately 5+ years of consulting experience in a biodiversity or ecology‑focused role, with direct experience working in the UAE or other GCC countries.
• Experience applying lender standards (e.g., IFC PS6, EBRD PR6), ideally on projects within the Middle East.
• Demonstrated experience with regional ecological surveys and biodiversity assessments in desert, coastal, and marine environments.
• Strong technical data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to diverse stakeholders—including regional authorities and local partners.
• Driven, motivated, and passionate about fostering positive change for biodiversity and the natural environment.
• Fluency in English.
• Arabic language proficiency is a strong plus.

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ERM is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive, it’s an essential part of what makes ERM a great place to build a career and helps us create better solutions for our clients.

We welcome talent from all backgrounds and provide equal opportunities for every candidate. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or need accommodations during the selection process, we’re here to support you. Our commitment doesn’t stop at hiring. Once you join us, we’ll ensure you have the tools, support, and adjustments needed to succeed and feel a true sense of belonging. Learn more about our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DIB) efforts by visiting our website or exploring our 2025 Sustainability Report..