Specialist Enviro & Biodiversity Manager

As the world leader in marine diamond recovery, we take pride in employing cutting-edge technology and exceptional people skills. Debmarine Namibia is seeking an exceptional, strong, independent leader to lead the company’s integrated portfolio of Marine Science, Environmental Compliance and Biodiversity Nature stewardship in the capacity of Specialist Environmental and Biodiversity Manager.  

This role requires a proven ability to manage multiple priorities, speak confidently in pubic and technical forums and build meaningful relationships across sectors.

The successful incumbent will lead Debmarine Namibia’s environmental and biodiversity strategy, ensuring full regulatory compliance whist also advancing scientific credibility and transparency. The candidate will represent the company in national and international platforms and help strengthen Debmarine Namibia’s environmental strategy and reputation through clear communication, forward-looking risk management and evidence-based decision-making.

SPECIALIST ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIODIVERSITY MANAGER AT DEBMARINE NAMIBIA:

The incumbent must balance scientific oversight, especially regarding benthic ecosystems monitoring, stakeholder engagement and strategic biodiversity leadership with compliance-driven environmental management.

• Specialist Marine Environmental Science• Directs the benthic monitoring program including the interpretation of data to inform decision-making.
• Manages relationships with external consultants, research institutions, and technical experts.
• Ensures scientific robustness of seabed diamond recovery impact assessments and ongoing monitoring.
• Leads ecosystem-scale interpretation of benthic and pelagic monitoring data.
• Ensure marine data quality meets scientific publication and regulatory standards.
• Represent Debmarine Namibia in expert science panels and research partnerships (e.g., Marine Scientific Advisory Committee and the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem Regional Conventions).

• Environmental Compliance and Risk Management• Leads all company environmental programmes, permitting, auditing, and regulatory reporting.
• Oversees internal EMS (Environmental Management System) performance and compliance to the ISO 14001 certification standards.
• Reviews EIAs (Environmental Impact Assessments) and identifies appropriate research projects to meet requirements.
• Leads the implementation of all national, Debmarine Namibia and related Group companies’ environmental policies and practices.
• Recommends organisational sustainability targets, developing plans to meet those targets and oversee their delivery.
• Ensures compliance with all national environmental legislation and governance requirements, working collaboratively with other key internal and external stakeholders.

• Stakeholder and Strategic Engagement• Manages the environmental stakeholder engagement plan, ensuring the plan is updated and risks are communicated.
• Serves as the primary touchpoint between external stakeholders and Debmarine Namibia on environmental matters and concerns.
• Promotes environmental awareness directly or indirectly, facilitating delivery and education both internally and externally to facilitate change behaviour

• Team leadership and Capacity Building

• Fosters cross-departmental collaboration across the business with other departments.
• Leads and mentors reporting team members as well as related environmental representatives or ambassadors within the business or externally.
• Develops and implements policies and plans for the section in line with strategic objectives of the business.
• Optimises the effectiveness of the section by:• Setting budgets, analysing variances and implementing action for cost saving;
• Analysing productivity indicators and implementing action for improved productivity;
• Analysing trends and implementing action to ensure optimal process and performance standards.

 

CANDIDATE MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

• MSc or PhD degree in Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Ecology or related field.

• 10+ years in experience in Marine Science, Applied Marine Ecology and Marine Environmental Management with public forum exposure.
• Demonstrated experience with benthic ecosystem monitoring ideally in marine offshore contexts.
• Experience working in applied marine research field and/or collaboratively with academics.
• Ability to interpret and apply scientific data in a business context.
• Demonstrable experience in multi-stakeholder engagements, cross-sector collaboration skills and relationships management especially on high profile and sensitive subject matters.
• Leadership experience in managing technical teams and external consultants.
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations and ESG performance metrics.
• A working knowledge of GIS software and statistical analyses packages such as R-Statistics and PRIMER.
• Sound knowledge and practical experience of ISO 14001 standard.
• Public speaking capability.
• Track record of publishing peer-reviewed papers ideally as a first author or at least co-author.
• Experience or exposure to working in maritime operations is highly desirable.

Preference will be given to Namibian citizens and designated persons as prescribed by the Namibian Affirmative Action Act.

WOMEN AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Please submit a comprehensive CV with proof of qualifications and experience by following the application and registration process.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and shall be subjected to further assessment and screening.    

Closing date: 13 February 2026