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Strategic stream

Social analysis and assessment

We work within international environmental and social impact assessment frameworks at local, national and regional levels. Through detailed research and by tapping into the local knowledge of our associates, we help clients understand the socio-economic context in which they operate, and provide them with an assessment of the potential risks and opportunities they are likely to encounter. Our methodologies include:

• social baseline studies;
• strategic research;
• benchmarking;
• risk and opportunity assessment;
• social impact assessments;
• livelihood impact assessment;
• design of influx management systems; and
• human rights risk and impact assessments.

Operational readiness assessment

We work with management to assess the sustainable commercial feasibility of projects and to ensure that the organisation is operational ready for business within its unique environment. We will participate with management and other technical advisors in:

• pre-feasibility and feasibility studies;
• the design and maintenance of systems for continuous improvement; and
• monitoring and evaluation systems.

We also act as independent evaluators of operational readiness for investors and debt financing institutions.

Stakeholder engagement

Building healthy and resilient relationships is at the heart of what we do. We work with clients to ensure that they have positive interactions with communities and key stakeholders, based on constructive and sustainable interactions. We support the development of effective public policy through engagement with the extractive sector, government and NGOs. The steps taken to ensure these relationships include:

• stakeholder and rights holder analysis, mapping and evaluation;
• engagement planning;
• perception surveys, stakeholder consultation and free, prior and informed consultation;
• partnership brokering;
• mediation and dispute resolution;
• design and implementation of grievance mechanisms; and
• conflict management.

Organisational development

We work with clients to build the necessary capacity, resources and internal systems to equip them to manage social risks and opportunities. These include:

• policy and systems development;
• management planning;
• staff placements;
• social investment management;
• development of systems and institutions for community ownership, social and labour plans and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment requirements;
• management and community leadership training and development;
• human rights training; and
• project management and facilitation.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

Ongoing review is an essential aspect of managing social impacts. We provide independent advice and auditing to help clients monitor the changing social context. Our services include:

• due diligence reviews;
• social performance reviews;
• multi-stakeholder report reviews;
• management system audits;
• assurance reviews;
• risk and incident reporting systems and incident investigations;
• GRI-based and other reporting systems; and
• human rights audits and reviews.