Corporate Sustainability Intern

About the company

SLR is in the process of growing our footprint around the globe, and as such we are continuously looking for talented people to join our team and who would add value to Our Business.

We are recognised as one of the global leaders in environmental and advisory solutions, helping our clients to achieve their sustainability goals. SLR has over 100 offices in 13 different countries across the world and we actively encourage collaboration and learning between the many disciplines and services we offer globally.

At SLR you can expect a flexible and supportive 'One Team’ culture that sits at the heart of our business and ensures that we offer a rewarding place to work. You will have the opportunity to work alongside industry leaders and specialists on interesting projects and being part of a team that makes a difference.

Job Purpose

Due to the continued growth of our Corporate Sustainability team, SLR is looking for a full-time Intern for a 12-month period to support the Sustainability Assurance and Responsible Sourcing team.

The role will provide practical experience across sustainability assurance, supplier due diligence, responsible sourcing assessments, project administration, data management and reporting. The successful candidate will work closely with project managers and technical specialists supporting multinational companies and other organisations across a variety of sectors.

This position would suit someone who is administratively strong, organised and attentive to detail, while also being willing to learn, take initiative and find practical solutions to new or unfamiliar challenges.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will support the team with the following:

• Providing day-to-day project administration support, including maintaining project trackers, schedules, action lists, document registers and filing systems.

• Coordinating meetings, preparing agendas, taking minutes and following up on agreed actions.

• Supporting project managers with client communication, information requests, assessment scheduling and project logistics.

• Assisting with the collection, organisation and review of ESG and sustainability data and supporting evidence.

• Maintaining supplier databases and supporting the distribution, completion and review of Supplier Assessment Questionnaires.

• Supporting responsible sourcing assessments through document reviews, supplier risk screening and preparation of assessment materials.

• Tracking assessment findings, corrective actions, supporting evidence and supplier follow-up activities.

• Supporting sustainability assurance engagements, including evidence indexing, data testing schedules, engagement with data owners and preparation of working papers.

• Supporting data analysis, trend analysis, benchmarking and the preparation of tables, charts and presentation materials.

• Contributing to assessment reports, assurance reports, proposals, presentations and other client deliverables.

• Supporting the planning and logistics of supplier assessments, site visits, workshops and training sessions.

• Attending client meetings, supplier engagements and site assessments where appropriate.

YOU WILL HAVE EXPOSURE TO THE FOLLOWING

• Sustainability assurance engagements and the review of ESG performance information.

• Responsible sourcing programmes covering supplier screening, risk assessment, supplier engagement, on-site assessments and corrective action monitoring.

• The practical management of supplier data, assessment evidence and project information.

• Sustainability reporting, gap analysis, benchmarking and data-quality reviews.

• Labour and human rights, worker health and safety, environmental management and responsible procurement topics.

• Projects across different industries, organisations and geographic regions.

• Client meetings, supplier interviews, workshops and, where appropriate, site assessments.

• The development of proposals, reports, presentations, dashboards and other client-facing materials.

• Mentorship, structured training and opportunities to learn from experienced sustainability, assurance and responsible sourcing specialists.

Requirements

• Strong administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to keep accurate and complete project records.

• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.

• A willingness to learn and take on unfamiliar tasks with a positive and practical attitude.

• A creative problem-solving approach and the ability to identify workable solutions when information or processes are unclear.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• The ability to follow instructions while also taking initiative when appropriate.

• Strong time-management skills and the ability to manage several tasks and deadlines.

• The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a project team.

• Confidence engaging professionally with colleagues, clients, suppliers and data owners.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Strong Excel and general data-management skills would be an advantage.

• The ability to research, organise, analyse and clearly present information.

• A responsible approach to confidential client, supplier and employee information.

• The successful candidate should be based in Johannesburg and be available to attend client meetings and site visits when required.

Qualifications and competencies

• An undergraduate degree in environmental science, sustainability, social science, business, supply chain management, engineering, data analysis or another relevant field.

• A postgraduate qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

• Demonstrated academic achievement, leadership experience, volunteer work, internships or other notable achievements will be considered.

• Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential.

• An interest in sustainability, ESG, responsible sourcing, supply chains, human rights or sustainability reporting.

• Strong analytical thinking and an ability to work comfortably with both written information and numerical data.

• Curiosity, reliability and a genuine willingness to develop new technical and professional skills.

• A practical, flexible and solutions-focused mindset.

• Integrity, professionalism and an ability to work respectfully with people from different backgrounds.

SLR’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as 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 & inclusion