Francois Djissou Happi

Executive Profile

Results-oriented environmental, health, safety, social, and sustainability (EHS&S) professional with more than 24 years of field-based experience in the oil and gas and chemical sectors. Demonstrated expertise in leading and supporting large-scale, complex projects in challenging and high-risk environments, with a strong track record of ensuring compliance with IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles. Highly skilled in project coordination, risk identification and mitigation, technical analysis and reporting, and capacity building through training and mentoring. Recognized for strengthening EHS&S systems, improving operational performance, and supporting responsible, sustainable project implementation across diverse global contexts.

Core Competencies

Integrated Environment, Safety, Health, and Security (ESHS) management for extractive industries, including oil, gas, and mining • Leadership of complex, results-driven projects and multidisciplinary teams in high-risk and challenging environments • Environmental and social risk assessment, incident investigation, and corrective action planning • Compliance with international and industry standards, including IFC Performance Standards, Equator Principles, RCER, and ISO management systems • Production of clear, decision-focused technical reports for senior management, lenders, and regulators • Design and delivery of compliant training programs and operational manuals aligned with corporate policies, host-country regulations, and project objectives • Strategic stakeholder engagement across the project lifecycle, including program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation • Community grievance management and conflict resolution to strengthen accountability, reduce risk, and maintain social license to operate

Selected Achievements

• Led environmental, social, health, safety, and security management for major oil and gas development projects valued at more than $48B (combined project budgets) across North and Central Africa between supporting international operators and EPC contractors in high-risk and remote operating environments in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Papua New Guinea (May 2012–June 2024):
• Project Environmental Engineer, Neom Green Hydrogen Project (NGHP), executed by Saudi Arabia Air Products ($7.7B) (Saudi Arabia) (May 2021–June 2024).
• Project Environmental Engineer, Jizan Integrated Gasification & Power Company (JIGPC), executed by Saudi Arabia Air Products ($10.7B) (Saudi Arabia) (November 2020–April 2021).
• Managing Director, Native and International Maintenance, Inspection and Reliability, executed by NIMIR-Sarl for TotalEnergies, Akeno, MINUSCA, & MINUSMA ($n/a; case-by-case basis) (Cameroon) (January 2019–October 2020).
• Project Environmental Lead (Manager), Jizan Economic City (IGCC#3) Saudi Arabia, executed by Air Products Chemicals ($2.6B) (Saudi Arabia) (June 2016–November 2018).
• Project Environmental Engineer, Ain-Tsila Development Project, executed by PetroCeltic International Ltd. ($2.5B) (Algeria) (October 2014–November 2015).
• Project Environmental Advisor, Liquified Natural Gas-Exploration, Production and Construction (PNG-LNG EPC5A), Pipeline Installation, executed by ExxonMobil-Australia ($24.5B) (Papua New Guinea) (May 2012–April 2014).
• Senior Project EHSS Lead, El Merk Project ($2.3B) (April 2010–January 2012), and Project Environmental, Community, and Social Lead, In Salah Gas Southern Field Development Project ($1.2B) (Southeastern Algeria) (January–April 2012): Ensured compliance with host-country regulations, IFC Performance Standards, and lender requirements while strengthening contractor oversight and risk management systems.
• Deputy Site EHSS Manager and Project Environmental Advisor, Petrofac-Led Gas Developments, including the In Salah Gas Compression Project ($660M) (Southern Algeria) (March 2008–March 2010), and the Salam Gas Trains 3 and 4 Extension Project ($400M) (Egypt’s Western Desert) (August 2007–March 2008): Supported safe project delivery through enhanced environmental controls, incident prevention measures, and workforce compliance.
• Provided progressive environmental and safety leadership on the Chad–Cameroon Development Project ($3.6B), executed by ExxonMobil through COTCO (Cameroon, Chad) (2001–2008): Advanced from Senior Environment, Community, and Social Coordinator (January 2001–December 2003) to Environmental and Safety Operations Field Supervisor (February 2004–June 2005), Environmental and Safety Field Supervisor (July 2005–July 2006), Project Environmental and Safety Lead (October–December 2006), and Project Environmental Specialist (March 2007–March 2008), overseeing environmental compliance, contractor performance, community engagement, and grievance management across multiple jurisdictions.
• Maintained audit readiness and regulatory compliance across all assignments through high-quality technical reporting, implementation of environmental and safety management plans, and delivery of field-based training aligned with corporate policies and national regulations.

Education & Certifications

M.Sc., Environmental Science and Ecology, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

B.Sc., Botany, Ecology, and Plant Physiology, University of Doula, Douala, Cameroon

Member of: International Association of Safety Professionals

Certifications: HET, PST-FPF, BFA Training, ERT, COSHH, CHAT, New Generation of Environmental Health & Safety Leader (Care Factor-Psychology Safety)

Languages & Tools

Fluent: French, English; Professional: Spanish, German, Arabic, Hausa, Fondo, Fefe, Fufulde

Tools: MS Windows, MS Office Suite, Primavera, AI tools