Senior Social Specialist

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Arup's Lenders' Environmental and Social Advisory (LESA) team provides environmental, social and sustainability advisory services to lenders, investors, developers and project sponsors on major infrastructure and energy projects worldwide. The team supports clients throughout the project lifecycle, delivering environmental and social due diligence, impact assessments, gap analyses, monitoring, management systems development and implementation support in line with international lender requirements, including the IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, EIB Standards, EBRD Performance Requirements and World Bank requirements.

The team operates as a multidisciplinary and globally connected practice, bringing together environmental and social specialists to support projects across the transport, energy, power, water and industrial sectors. Social advisory services form a growing component of the team's portfolio and include expertise in land acquisition and resettlement, livelihood restoration, stakeholder engagement, labour and working conditions, human rights, community health and safety, and social performance management. The team currently supports major projects across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the UK, and is experiencing continued growth through existing commissions and strategic framework appointments such as the European Investment Bank Advisory Services Framework.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Senior Social Specialist this is an opportunity to join Arup's growing global Lenders' Environmental and Social Advisory (LESA) team and work on some of the world's most significant infrastructure and energy projects. The successful candidate will work directly with international lenders, investors and project sponsors, influencing how major projects manage social risks and deliver positive outcomes.

You will work alongside recognised experts in environmental and social risk management, gaining experience across diverse sectors, geographies and international lender requirements. As part of a growing team, you will be encouraged to take increasing responsibility for project management, client relationships, business development and mentoring junior colleagues, while continuing to develop your technical specialism. There will also be opportunities to contribute to thought leadership, framework delivery and strategic growth initiatives across Arup's global network. They will work closely with colleagues across Europe, UKIMEA, Asia and the Americas to support the delivery of lender environmental and social advisory services. The role will combine project delivery, project management, client engagement, work winning and capability development activities across a growing portfolio of international infrastructure projects.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share, and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

You will have the opportunity do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is this role right for you?

The individual will require the following knowledge, skills and attributes:

·       A degree or postgraduate qualification in a social science, human geography, anthropology, international development, human rights or related discipline.

·       Professional experience delivering social impact assessment, social risk management, social safeguards or related advisory services for infrastructure projects.

·       Knowledge applying lender and IFI environmental and social requirements, including IFC Performance Standards, World Bank Environmental and Social Framework, EBRD Performance Requirements, EIB Environmental and Social Standards, Equator Principles and associated international good practice.

·       Contributing to and independently delivering social inputs to Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD), Gap Analysis, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAPs), monitoring assignments and related lender advisory services.

·       Experience across one or more specialist social safeguards disciplines, including land acquisition and involuntary resettlement, livelihood restoration, labour and working conditions, stakeholder engagement, grievance management, human rights, gender and vulnerability.

Not ready to apply just yet, or have some questions? Please email Lei Padua at lei.padua@arup.com. Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Lei Padua at lei.padua@arup.com to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process

To understand what to expect next, please visit: https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Recruitment Agencies – We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.

Closing date:  Monday 14 September 2026

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