Vincent du Plessis

I am an accomplished and seasoned environmental management professional with 17 years of experience across diverse sectors, including government, non-governmental organizations, and the United Nations. My career began in South Africa, where I implemented ISO 14001 standards within a major mining company and provided environmental consulting services across various industries. I later transitioned to the public sector, working with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, where I was involved in reviewing environmental impact assessments, ensuring legal compliance, and engaging stakeholders.

My professional journey reflects a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and a proven ability to navigate complex regulatory environments. I’ve had the privilege of working internationally with the UN and its agencies, including the World Food Programme and peacekeeping missions, which has strengthened my adaptability and cross-cultural expertise. I am currently awaiting registration with EAPASA (Reference No. 2023/6501). With a passion for driving impactful change, I bring a results-oriented approach to promoting sustainable development and environmental compliance on a global scale.

I am an environmental management and political affairs professional with over 17 years of experience working across government, the United Nations, and the private sector. My career has focused on implementing Environmental Management Systems (EMS), conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and leading sustainability initiatives in both national and international contexts.

Most recently, I served as the Regional Environmental Advisor for the World Food Programme in Asia and the Pacific, where I successfully increased EMS implementation from 21% to 90% across 18 countries. Prior to that, I worked as an Environmental Affairs Officer at the UN Global Support Centre, where I developed EIA guidance and supported peacekeeping missions worldwide.

In Western Sahara, I held dual roles within the UN Mission (MINURSO), first as an Environmental Manager and later as a Political Affairs Officer. There, I implemented mission-wide environmental programs and supported high-level political reporting, mandate delivery, and crisis coordination.

Before joining the UN, I served as an Environmental Officer for the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) in South Africa, where I reviewed over 200 development applications and played a key role in helping to establish EAPASA as a formal regulatory body.

Earlier in my career, I worked in the consulting and mining sectors, including roles at La Terra Earth Sciences, Terra Pacis Environmental, and AngloGold Ashanti, where I gained hands-on experience with ISO 14001 EMS, environmental compliance, and stakeholder engagement.

Throughout my career, I’ve combined technical expertise with strategic leadership to drive measurable environmental outcomes and promote sustainable development across diverse and challenging environments.

Advanced academic credentials, including a BSc Honours in Geography (Cum Laude) and a BA in Environmental Management from the University of South Africa.