Manager Biodiversity

An inclusive environment for all
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable being themselves. We also want everyone to feel that their voices matter, that all cultures are respected, and that perspectives, as diverse as they are, are not only welcome, but essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other distinguishing aspect.

At Rio Tinto, we welcome and encourage applications from women, older workers, persons with disabilities and representatives from diverse backgrounds.

Everyone is different, and we believe that these differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences, and perspectives within our team enhances the way we work and our ability to succeed together.

About the role:

The Biodiversity Manager is responsible for leading and implementing the biodiversity strategy for the Simandou Mine, which is one of the largest biodiversity management and offsetting projects in Africa.

The role ensures compliance with national legislation, international financial institution requirements (IFC PS 6), and company standards. The role has a strong focus on biodiversity impact management, mitigation, and offset design and implementation, and on building and mentoring capable national and international teams in a developing-country context.

The role will provide technical leadership across project development, construction, and operations, and will engage extensively with regulators, communities, NGOs, lenders, and internal project teams.

Your responsibilities:

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Simandou Biodiversity Management System, including Biodiversity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (BMEP), Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), Species Management Plans, Offset Management Plan and site based monitoring programs.

• Ensure biodiversity risks and opportunities are effectively integrated into project planning, design, construction, and operational decision-making.

• Oversee biodiversity baseline studies, critical habitat assessments, and impact assessments in line with IFC Performance Standard 6, Equator Principles, and relevant international best practice.

• Provide technical oversight of biodiversity monitoring programs, data management, and adaptive management responses.

• Lead the design, negotiation, and implementation of biodiversity offsets and/or net gain programs for the Simandou Mine, ensuring they are technically robust, auditable, and aligned with lender and regulatory expectations.

• Manage offset feasibility studies, site selection, long-term management planning, and implementation arrangements.

• Coordinate with government authorities, conservation partners, and communities to establish sustainable and credible offset outcomes.

• Ensure offset commitments are clearly defined, tracked, and reported.

• Act as the primary biodiversity technical interface with government regulators, lenders, independent experts, and external reviewers.

• Support permitting and approvals processes related to biodiversity and conservation.

• Contribute to environmental and sustainability reporting, including audits and assurance processes.

• Engage constructively with NGOs, research institutions, and community stakeholders on biodiversity-related matters.

• Lead, manage, and mentor a multidisciplinary biodiversity team, including national staff, consultants, and contractors.

• Build local capacity through coaching, training, and on-the-job development, with a strong emphasis on long-term national team capability development and retention.

• Foster a positive safety, ethics, and performance culture within the biodiversity team.

• Manage consultant scopes, budgets, schedules, and performance.

• Work closely with environmental, community and social performance, mine construction, and mine operations teams to ensure biodiversity considerations are embedded across the project.

• Identify opportunities for innovation, partnerships, and continuous improvement in biodiversity management.

• Stay abreast of emerging international best practice in biodiversity management and offsets and apply lessons learned to the project.

What you will bring:

• Tertiary qualification (MSc or PhD) in ecology, conservation biology, environmental science, natural resource management, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 12 to15 years of professional experience in biodiversity management, including significant experience on large-scale infrastructure or mining projects.

• Experience with managing critical habitat qualifying species

• Demonstrated, hands-on experience in designing and implementing biodiversity offsets programs.

• Strong working knowledge of IFC Performance Standard 6, Equator Principles, and other relevant international biodiversity standards.

• Proven experience leading, managing, and mentoring teams, including in developing-country or remote project environments.

• Experience working with regulators, lenders, NGOs, and community stakeholders.

• Ability to operate effectively in complex, multicultural settings and under demanding project schedules.

• Biodiversity monitoring and management

• Habitat rehabilitation

• Strategic thinking and strong technical judgement

• Leadership and people development

• Stakeholder engagement and influence

• Practical problem-solving in complex environments

• Strong communication and reporting skills

• Cultural awareness and adaptability

• Experience in West Africa or similar tropical biodiversity contexts preferred.

• Experience across mining project lifecycle phases (feasibility, construction, operations).

• Familiarity with protected area management, community-based conservation, or landscape-scale conservation initiatives.

• Fluency in French (or willingness to develop working proficiency).

What we offer

Get recognition for your contributions, your ability to think, your hard work, and the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped the world move forward.

• Work environment where safety is always the top priority
• Competitive base salary based on your skills and experience
• Annual cash incentives for eligible employees
• Career development opportunities and training assistance to achieve your aspirations • Access to family-friendly health programs, top-notch retirement and savings plans
• Wellness benefits
• Rio Tinto's generous employee stock ownership plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• One-on-one wellness support (personal and professional matters) for you and your family
• Comprehensive leave policy covering all important life moments (vacation/annual, paid parental leave, etc.)  
   

About the Simandou Project
The Simandou Iron Ore Project is located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. It is Africa’s largest infrastructure and mining project and represents one of the largest known reserves of high-grade iron ore in the world.

Rio Tinto holds rights to Simandou Blocks 3 and 4 through SimFer, a joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH). Construction of the mine, together with the associated rail and port infrastructure, is well underway with first production from the SimFer mine expected in 2025.

About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a global leader in the mining and materials companies. We are established in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and the prosperity of people, communities, and nations. We have been in business for 150 years, drawing on knowledge accumulated over generations and on different continents. Our mission – to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs – guides us in our quest for innovation and continuous improvement, with the goal of making products that are low in emissions and meet the right environmental, social and governance standards. But because we can't do it alone, we focus on creating partnerships that allow us to solve problems, create mutually beneficial situations and seize opportunities.

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