ESG Associate at FSD Africa

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS

ESG Screening & Due-Diligence

Conducting an ESG assessment of investment and project proposals prior to funding i.e. managing the assessment as it evolves from origination to the screening stage into the detailed due-diligence stage with the aim of informing EXCO and IC decision making. This will involve:

• ESG screening against FSD Africa’s exclusion list and applicable industry standards including FCDO.
• Early identification of key ESG risks and opportunities (including safeguarding) to inform go/no-go investment decision.
• Baseline ESG Risk Categorisation in line with FSD Africa’s ESPM Manual and ERM Framework
• Conduct site visits for focused ESG DD, where applicable, while working with external consultants
• Co-design ESG action plans, provisions and reporting obligations with partners for inclusion in project and investment papers as well as legal documentation

ESG Monitoring & Impact

Active monitoring with the investment and project teams to ensure implementation of the ESG Action Plans and reporting by external partners which will include:

• Regular check-ins with investees and project partners on areas of non-compliance with agreed actions, applicable legislation and industry standards/best practice
• Internal handling and escalation of material ESG disclosures which can include engaging with independent consultants to conduct deep dive risk based ESG assessments.
• Leading on the collation of ESG reporting from the investees and project partners based on agreed KPIs
• Collaborating with Development Impact pillar on FSD Africa’s annual ESG and Impact reporting and fulfilling FSDAi’s external ESG reporting obligations to UNPRI

Stakeholder Management and Capacity Building

• Providing appropriate guidance and support from a leadership perspective on FSD Africa’s overall ESPM system implementation and practice to staff, investees and project partners
• Managing relationship with external ESG consultants engaged on a case-by-case basis in conducting focused/enhanced due-diligence.
• Close collaboration and frequent interaction with the internal ESG community of practice drawn from the different pillars.
• Maintain regular internal training and capacity building sessions on the ESG Policy and ESPM Manual and co-ordinating partner-focused trainings.

Industry Engagement

Contribute to FSDAi’s engagement and obligations on thematic ESG areas such as climate, nature, biodiversity and human rights with key industry bodies or associations such as PRI, TNFD, ANCA.

Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the Management

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications and Education

• Master’s Degree with 3 years or Bachelor’s Degree and 4 year of practical work experience in Finance, Investments or Sustainable Finance

Essential Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated interest in ESG, Sustainability or Responsible Investing through professional qualification that is tailored to the financial sector.
• Progressive thinker with a passion for economic and social development in Sub-Saharan Africa through private sector investment
• Good communication and relationship building skills; in particular, training and engagement initiatives to a diverse audience.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English, including report writing, presentation drafting and delivery.

Desirable

• Familiarity with one of the key E&S or sustainability frameworks such as SDGs, IFC Performance Standards, TCFD.
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Keen interest in growing a career in development finance.
• Previous experience of working in/with aid-funded projects
• Languages: French, local African languages