Collins Tapfuma Damiso
Greendale,
Athlone,
Harare
+263 (0-785******
*************@*****.***
July 23, 2025
SUBJECT: APPLICATION FOR HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICER POSITION Dear Recruiter,
I am writing to express my keen interest in the Health & Safety Officer position at Rio Tinto, as advertised. With five years of professional experience as a Senior Environmental and Sustainability Consultant, I have developed a comprehensive skill set in environmental, health, and safety (EHS) management that aligns perfectly with the requirements of this role. My background in conducting EHS audits, developing management plans, and ensuring regulatory compliance for projects in the mining, manufacturing, and industrial sectors has prepared me to make a significant contribution to your team. Throughout my career, I have been directly responsible for many of the key functions outlined in your job description. My experience includes:
• Compliance and Auditing: I have conducted numerous quarterly EHS audits for corporate clients, ensuring strict adherence to national regulations and company policies. This includes a practical understanding of implementing and maintaining systems compliant with international standards like ISO 14001.
• Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA): A core component of my Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) work involves conducting detailed baseline studies to identify potential environmental and safety hazards, assessing risks, and designing robust mitigation measures within Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
• Procedure Development and Training: I have authored comprehensive ESMPs for large-scale projects, which serve as procedural guides for safe operation. A key part of my role has also been mentoring and training junior staff on safety protocols and practical field techniques.
• Legislative Compliance: I am well-versed in ensuring projects comply with national laws and international lender standards (IFC, AfDB, World Bank). This involves keeping clients and management informed of their obligations, which is directly transferable to managing OHS Act requirements and liaising with the Department of Employment and Labour.
• Incident Investigation: My project management role has required me to investigate non-compliance issues, identify root causes, and design corrective actions to prevent recurrence, ensuring project objectives and safety standards are met.
My Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Environmental Science and Technology, combined with extensive hands-on experience in production and industrial environments, provides a strong foundation for the technical and practical demands of this position. I am a self-motivated and detail-oriented professional with a proven ability to work effectively under pressure, both independently and as part of a team. My CV is attached for your review. I am confident that my skills and experience make me an excellent candidate for this role. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my application with you further.
Sincerely,
Collins Tapfuma Damiso.
COLLINS TAPFUMA DAMISO
IAIAsa Member 6757
*************@*****.*** +263*********-** Terry Drive, Greendale, Athlone, Harare, Zimbabwe SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT
A BSc Hons Environmental Scientist with five years of experience working as an environmental practitioner. Well-versed in local and international environmental and sustainability competences. CORE COMPETENCIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
• Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA): o Independently managed and delivered multiple ESIA projects, successfully securing certification from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) with minimal supervision. o Contributed as a key member of a 10-person team to complete several large-scale ESIAs for major projects.
• Sustainability & ESG Reporting:
o Collaborated within a 5-person team to produce multiple annual sustainability reports for corporate clients between 2021 and 2023.
• International Lender Standards & Compliance:
o Applied a comprehensive knowledge of international environmental and social standards to all projects, including IFC Performance Standards, AfDB EHS Guidelines, World Bank Standards, ISO 14001/45001, and the Equator Principles.
• Technical & Occupational Skills:
o Demonstrated expertise in technical report writing, ESMP compliance monitoring, project management, and baseline data collection (air, noise, biodiversity). o Proficient in data analysis, management, and mapping using specialized software and hardware, including GIS and environmental modelling tools.
• Professional Affiliation:
o Active member of the International Association for Impact Assessment South Africa (IAIAsa), Membership No. 6757.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Environmental and Sustainability Consultant-Black Crystal Consulting 2019-2025 Harare, Zimbabwe
• Project Leadership & Management:
o Directed all phases of the project lifecycle, from writing technical and financial proposals to mobilizing specialist teams and ensuring timely, on-budget project delivery. Served as the primary liaison between clients and technical teams to guarantee project objectives were met.
• Environmental & Social Safeguards:
o Authored comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) reports for large-scale projects in critical sectors including mining, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, and energy.
• Sustainability & ESG Reporting:
o Developed and delivered sustainability reports for leading companies in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, helping them to define and communicate their environmental and social performance.
• Regulatory Compliance & Monitoring:
o Conducted quarterly Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) audits and monitoring to ensure strict adherence to national regulatory standards and corporate policies.
• Technical Data Collection & Analysis:
o Executed comprehensive fieldwork and data collection for ESIAs and sustainability reports, including air, water, and soil quality monitoring, biodiversity assessments, GIS mapping, and extensive stakeholder engagement.
• Team Development & Training:
o Mentored and trained interns and junior staff on company policies, values, and practical field reconnaissance techniques, fostering a culture of excellence and safety. WORK EXPERIENCE
Sustainability & ESG Consulting
Innscor, Padenga Agribusiness, Dallaglio Sustainability Reporting Harare, Guruve, Chegutu 2019 – 2023
• Authored comprehensive, multi-year sustainability reports for leading Zimbabwean companies in the agricultural and mining sectors.
• Analysed and reported on key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics, including health and safety performance, to meet corporate and stakeholder expectations. Agriculture Sector Projects
Corteva Agriscience ESMP for Plant Decommissioning Juru & Ruwa 2021 – 2022
• Managed the successful decommissioning of an agrochemical plant, ensuring full environmental compliance.
• Directed baseline data collection, including water and soil quality analysis, to establish pre-decommissioning environmental conditions.
• Developed a comprehensive Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) based on data analysis to guide the project.
Mining Sector Projects
Bravura Zimbabwe (Platinum Mine) ESIA & Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Lead Selous, Chegutu 2023 – 2024
• Led the full ESIA and RAP processes, resulting in the successful acquisition of all necessary environmental permits for a major platinum mine.
• Directed baseline studies (air, noise, water quality) and managed extensive stakeholder consultations with communities and government agencies.
• Oversaw all RAP activities, from asset inventories and livelihood surveys to training enumerators and managing spatial data collection.
• Developed detailed GIS maps for soil, hydrology, geology, and topography to support technical assessments and mine closure planning.
Karo Platinum (Platinum Mine) ESIA Specialist & RAP Coordinator Selous, Chegutu 2021 – 2022
• Authored specialist reports for the ESIA, including Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) and Climate Change Vulnerability, ensuring full compliance with IFC Performance Standards.
• Coordinated RAP fieldwork, including asset inventories, livelihood surveys, and GIS data analysis, leading to a successfully certified project.
• Contributed to the development of the mine closure plan. Global Platinum Resources & Great Dyke Investments (Platinum Mines) ESIA & RAP Specialist Selous & Zvimba 2020 – 2022
• Drafted comprehensive ESIA and RAP reports, conducting all baseline data collection (water/soil sampling) and stakeholder consultations.
• Utilized GIS to map mine infrastructure and critical biophysical conditions to inform impact assessments. Salene Chrome (Chrome Mine) ESIA Lead
Chegutu 2020
• Managed the ESIA process from baseline data collection to final report submission, resulting in a certified and currently operational mine.
Energy Sector Projects (Solar, Wind, Powerline)
Unki Platinum Mine & Padenga Agribusiness (Solar) ESIA Project Manager Shurugwi & Kariba 2022 – 2023
• Led the ESIA processes for a 30-50MW and a 1.2MW solar plant, respectively, from site selection and baseline studies to stakeholder engagement.
• Successfully secured certification for both projects, ensuring the Unki ESIA adhered to IFC Performance Standards.
Enerfin/Tatanga Energy (Wind Farm) ESIA Specialist Guruve 2021 – 2022
• Drafted the ESIA for a 100MW wind farm, focusing on climate change vulnerability and visual impacts, to meet IFC standards and achieve project certification.
ZETDC-INTEC (Powerline) Social Impact Lead
Dema-Sunway City 2020 – 2021
• Led the socio-economic component of the project, developing and administering surveys, training enumerators, and preparing all socio-economic reports.
• Coordinated all public consultations and stakeholder meetings, leading to successful project certification. Additional Energy Projects Project Manager & Environmental Specialist 2020 - 2022
• Managed and delivered certified environmental and social impact assessments and environmental plans for energy projects including a 300MW solar park (Renewable Energy Transmission Park), rooftop solar installations (Varun Beverages, First Mutual Life), and social surveys for a power project (Karo Power). Infrastructure Projects
Steelmakers Zimbabwe ESIA Upgrade Lead
Masvingo 2023 – 2024
• Directed a comprehensive upgrade of the company's ESIA to meet the stringent requirements of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and IFC for international funding.
• The assessment included a detailed focus on climate change vulnerability, visual impact, and mine closure planning.
NMS Infrastructure EMP Lead for Health Centre Development Bulawayo, Mataga, Chimanimani, & other locations 2021 – 2024
• Developed and implemented Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) compliant with IFC standards for numerous health centres across Zimbabwe, ensuring projects were certified and became operational. Padenga Agribusiness ESIA Project Manager
Kariba 2022
• Managed the successful ESIAs for two critical infrastructure projects: an integrated waste management facility
(landfill, incinerator, biogas) and a wastewater treatment plant, achieving certification for both. Commercial & Residential Development ESIA Project Manager 2023 - 2024
• Led the full ESIA processes for the revival of West Gate Mall (Old Mutual) and the construction of new cluster housing developments (Westmoreland Properties, Quickpick Investments), successfully securing certification for all projects.
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Climate Change and Food Systems, University of Zimbabwe (August 2024) Result:
• Ongoing
Bachelor of Science Honors in Environmental Science and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology
(August 2015 - August 2020)
Result:
● Upper Second (2.1)
Advanced Level, IGCSE
Cambridge International Examinations, Direct Contact School (January 2013 - November 2014) Results:
● Environmental Management (A) Geography (B) Travel and Tourism (D) AWARDS
Outstanding Cambridge Learners Award, Cambridge International Exams (2015) Attained the highest mark in Environmental Management. REFERENCES
Clara Chikohomero
Lead Consultant.
Black Crystal Consulting.
12 Boston Close, Highlands, Harare.
+263 (0-773-***-***
*****@************.**.**
Leon Mutungamiri
EMA Harare Province Manager
685/686 Corner Lorraine drive / Faber road, Bluffhill, Harare
+263 (0-777-***-***
***************@*****.***