Careers at FSD Africa

Job Summary

• Reporting to the Specialist, Strategic Risk, the Manager, ESG provides strategic and technical leadership for the continuous development, implementation and quality assurance of FSD Africa's Environmental and Social Performance Management (ESPM) System across investment activities. The role is accountable for shaping FSDAi's approach to ESG risk management and impact, ensuring ESG considerations strengthen investment decision-making, portfolio performance and long-term development outcomes, while remaining aligned with evolving market practice, investor expectations and organisational priorities.
• As FSDAi's strategic ESG lead, the role provides leadership on complex and high-risk transactions and works across FSDAi and FSD Africa with the Investment, Corporate Risk and Development Impact functions to embed responsible investment practices throughout the investment lifecycle.
• The role also strengthens FSDAi's ESG positioning through engagement with governance bodies, funders, co-investors and industry partners, builds ESG capability across the organisation and its partners, and contributes to the continued development of the Gender Lens Investing Strategy and Framework to enhance the organisation's influence and leadership in responsible investment across Africa.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS

ESG Strategy & Governance

• Provide strategic leadership for the continuous development of FSDAi's ESG framework and governance arrangements, ensuring responsible investment practices remain aligned with evolving market standards, stakeholder expectations and the organisation's strategic objectives.
• Lead the periodic review and enhancement of FSD Africa's Environmental and Social Performance Management (ESPM) Manual, ESG Policy and exclusion list, ensuring continued alignment with applicable standards, donor requirements and evolving industry best practice.
• Lead the continuous improvement of FSDAi's ESPM system against strategic initiatives, including climate finance, nature finance and Gender Lens Investing (GLI).
• Benchmark FSDAi's ESG approach against comparable Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and emerging market practice, recommending enhancements that strengthen the organisation's responsible investment approach.
• Monitor emerging ESG macro trends, particularly in climate, nature, biodiversity and gender, assessing their implications for FSDAi's investment approach and ESG system.
• Recommend enhancements to the ESPM System that strengthen governance, organisational effectiveness and responsible investment.

ESG Transaction Oversight

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for the integration of ESG throughout the investment lifecycle, ensuring investment decisions effectively manage ESG risks, strengthen responsible investment practices and maximise sustainable development impact.
• Lead ESG due diligence for complex, high-risk and strategically significant investment transactions, providing quality assurance over ESG due diligence undertaken by the ESG team and external consultants.
• Review ESG risk categorisation, exclusion list screening, safeguarding assessments and gender lens assessments, ensuring ESG risks and opportunities are appropriately reflected in investment recommendations.
• Lead the development of ESG action plans, investment conditions and reporting requirements, ensuring ESG commitments are effectively embedded within investment documentation and transaction implementation.
• Present ESG risks, opportunities and recommendations to the Investment Committee, Executive Committee and other governance forums, supporting informed investment decision-making.
• Lead negotiations with investee and portfolio companies to ensure ESG rights, obligations and action plans are appropriately embedded in legal and transaction agreements.
• Work closely with Investment and other internal teams throughout the transaction lifecycle to ensure ESG considerations are effectively integrated into investment decisions and transaction documentation.

Portfolio ESG Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight of ESG performance across FSDAi's investment portfolio, ensuring ESG commitments are fulfilled, risks are effectively managed and ESG performance supports sustainable investment outcomes.
• Oversee the implementation and ongoing monitoring of ESG action plans across the investment portfolio, ensuring investees comply with agreed ESG commitments and applicable standards.
• Review portfolio ESG performance, risk and compliance information, ensuring timely reporting supports effective governance, donor requirements and informed decision-making.
• Lead the identification, escalation and management of material ESG risks, incidents and compliance issues, ensuring appropriate corrective actions are implemented.
• Monitor portfolio ESG trends and emerging risks, identifying opportunities to strengthen ESG performance, responsible investment practices and the organisation's ESG approach.
• Work closely with the ESG team, Investment, Development Impact and Risk functions to ensure portfolio insights support continuous improvement and inform investment decision-making.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Build and lead the organisational capability required to embed consistent, high-quality ESG practice across FSDAi, ensuring the organisation has the expertise, systems and support required to deliver responsible investment effectively.
• Lead, develop and manage the performance of the ESG Associate and ESG Analyst, fostering a high-performing team and supporting their ongoing professional development.
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to Investment, Development Impact, Risk and other internal teams on the effective application of FSDAi's ESPM System and responsible investment practices.
• Manage the effective engagement and performance of external ESG consultants and technical specialists, ensuring specialist expertise is deployed where required.
• Lead ESG capability-building initiatives across FSDAi, supporting staff, investees and project partners to strengthen ESG integration and implementation within their organisations.
• Drive the continuous improvement of ESG tools, methodologies and systems to strengthen the effectiveness and consistency of ESG implementation across the organisation.

Stakeholder Engagement & Thought Leadership

• Build and maintain the strategic relationships and market presence required to strengthen FSDAi's influence and ESG positioning, support responsible investment and contribute to the advancement of ESG practice across the financial sector.
• Represent FSDAi on ESG matters with the Investment Committee, Executive Committee, funders, co-investors, development partners and other key stakeholders, influencing ESG priorities and supporting the development of strategic ESG initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with industry bodies, accreditation organisations and peer institutions to strengthen collaboration, influence market practice and enhance FSDAi's ESG positioning.
• Lead engagement on priority ESG themes, including climate, nature, biodiversity and gender, contributing to industry initiatives, external forums and collaborative partnerships.
• Provide recognised ESG subject matter expertise, contributing to organisational thought leadership, knowledge sharing and the development of responsible investment practices.
• Lead the production of external ESG reporting and publications, including an annual ESG report and case studies showcasing FSDAi's ESG value addition.
• Promote collaboration across FSDAi, FSD Africa and external partners to strengthen ESG capability, support strategic initiatives and maximise the organisation's influence and development impact.

Stakeholder Engagement & Thought Leadership

• Build and maintain the strategic relationships and market presence required to strengthen FSDAi's influence and ESG positioning, support responsible investment and contribute to the advancement of ESG practice across the financial sector.
• Represent FSDAi on ESG matters with the Investment Committee, Executive Committee, funders, co-investors, development partners and other key stakeholders, influencing ESG priorities and supporting the development of strategic ESG initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with industry bodies, accreditation organisations and peer institutions to strengthen collaboration, influence market practice and enhance FSDAi's ESG positioning.
• Lead engagement on priority ESG themes, including climate, nature, biodiversity and gender, contributing to industry initiatives, external forums and collaborative partnerships.
• Provide recognised ESG subject matter expertise, contributing to organisational thought leadership, knowledge sharing and the development of responsible investment practices.
• Lead the production of external ESG reporting and publications, including an annual ESG report and case studies showcasing FSDAi's ESG value addition.
• Promote collaboration across FSDAi, FSD Africa and external partners to strengthen ESG capability, support strategic initiatives and maximise the organisation's influence and development impact.
• Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the Management.

COMPETENCIES

• Competencies describe the key behaviours that drive success in all of FSD Africa’s roles, regardless of technical specialism. They have been derived from systematic research correlating performance with personal attributes. 

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications and Education

• Master’s degree and 6 years of experience or Bachelor’s Degree and 8 years of experience from a recognised university.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification in Finance, Investments, Sustainable Finance, Environmental Management, Sustainability, Development Finance or a related discipline.
• Professional qualification or certification in ESG, Sustainability or Responsible Investing (e.g. IFC/CDC ESG Toolkit, GRI, SASB, CFA ESG Investing Certificate) would be an advantage.

Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• At least 6-8 years' relevant experience within finance, investment or development finance in Sub-Saharan Africa, including substantial exposure to development finance or impact investing.
• At least three years' experience in an ESG leadership role, including responsibility for leading technical ESG work, developing junior professionals and/or managing external consultants.
• Demonstrated experience leading ESG due diligence on complex investment transactions and presenting findings and recommendations to Investment Committee or equivalent governance forums.
• Experience developing, implementing or enhancing ESG frameworks, policies or Environmental and Social Management Systems within an investment or development finance environment.
• Experience integrating gender considerations into investment decision-making, including the application of recognised Gender Lens Investing approaches such as the 2X Criteria.
• Experience identifying, assessing and managing complex ESG risks and issues across investment portfolios, including contributing to broader organisational risk management.
• Experience representing an organisation with investors, development partners, funders, regulators or industry bodies on ESG-related matters.
• Strong knowledge of ESG and Environmental & Social Performance Management frameworks applicable to development finance, including IFC Performance Standards, FCDO requirements, UNPRI and other recognised international standards.
• Sound understanding of ESG due diligence, ESG risk assessment, portfolio monitoring, responsible investment practices and sustainable finance.
• Knowledge of climate finance, biodiversity, nature-related risks, Gender Lens Investing and emerging ESG trends relevant to development finance.
• Sound understanding of ESG governance frameworks, policies and management systems within a development finance environment.
• Strong analytical, report writing and presentation skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality investment papers, governance submissions and technical reports for senior decision-making forums.

Desirable

• Familiarity with additional ESG and sustainability frameworks such as the SDGs, TCFD, TNFD and climate finance accreditation requirements (e.g. Green Climate Fund).
• Familiarity with 2X Global, the 2X Criteria and the wider Gender Lens Investing ecosystem.
• Experience working with fund or intermediated investment structures and engaging fund managers on ESG management systems.
• Experience working within multicultural and matrix management environments.
• Experience supporting donor-funded programmes and donor reporting requirements.
• Working knowledge of French and/or other African languages would be an advantage.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Strategy & Programming

Contribute to the development of FSD Africa’s ESF strategy and venture building portfolio, contributing expertise in venture development, agri-tech innovation, and climate-resilient enterprise models.

• Support the design and refinement of venture building approaches across the ESF portfolio, with a primary focus on the Agri-Tech Venture Launcher under AFIYA.
• Build synergies with other enterprise development efforts to develop a strategic continuum of support and feedback as ventures grow and scale
• Translate strategic objectives into coherent multi-country workplans, budgets, and implementation frameworks across venture building initiatives.
• Monitor ecosystem trends in agri-tech, venture building, and financial inclusion to inform programme design and adaptation.
• Contribute to the identification, design, and development of venture building initiatives aligned to ESF priorities.
• Work closely with the Development Impact team to integrate learning and evidence into programme design and strategy refinement.

Financial Management, Risks & Resources

Ensure effective management of resources/budget for venture building projects under management, aiming to optimise impact and ensure compliance with FSD Africa and donor policies.

• Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and expenditure tracking across venture building initiatives, ensuring value for money and alignment with approved plans.
• Support fundraising and proposal development through preparation of technical inputs, budgets, and supporting documentation.
• Oversee due diligence, risk assessment, and compliance processes for ventures and partners.
• Liaise with internal teams to ensure compliance with financial, legal, safeguarding, and donor requirements.
• Monitor financial and operational performance across the portfolio, identifying risks and implementing mitigation measures.

Project Cycle Management

Coordinate the roll-out of a portfolio of venture building projects so that results are achieved, risks are managed, and quality programmes are delivered.

• Manage the end-to-end delivery of a portfolio of venture building initiatives, including the Agri-Tech Venture Launcher and other ESF programmes.
• Design and implement venture sourcing, selection, and onboarding processes, including open calls and targeted outreach.
• Manage referral and graduation pathways for ventures transitioning into programmes serving more mature companies and establish feedback mechanisms so that lessons from those programmes inform venture design and delivery. 
• Engage alumni of enterprise development programmes as mentors, market partners and contributors to venture building initiatives
• Oversee delivery of technical assistance to ventures, ensuring structured, high-quality support aligned to programme objectives.
• Develop and maintain project plans, risk frameworks, and performance tracking systems across initiatives.
• Monitor implementation progress, reviewing performance data and adapting delivery approaches as required.
• Manage project closure processes, ensuring sustainability, learning capture, and effective transition beyond FSD Africa support.

Development Impact & Learning

Collaborate with the Development Impact team to ensure robust management of Development Impact for venture building projects under management; ensure accurate and timely reporting on activities, milestones, outcomes and lessons learned.

• Co-design and oversee development impact frameworks, ensuring strong alignment with poverty alleviation, gender, and climate resilience objectives.
• Ensure systematic collection, validation, and reporting of qualitative and quantitative data across ventures and partners.
• Review monitoring, evaluation, and learning outputs to inform decision-making and programme adaptation.
• Generate actionable insights to strengthen venture models, programme effectiveness, and ecosystem-level impact.
• Support development of reports, knowledge products, and learning outputs for internal and external stakeholders.

Influencing and Communicating for Impact

Actively participate in development, and lead implementation, of advocacy and communications plans for venture building initiatives under management.

• Support stakeholder mapping and engagement across venture building ecosystems, including public and private actors.
• Collaborate with communications teams to develop and deliver content, campaigns, and knowledge dissemination activities.
• Contribute to advocacy efforts that promote venture building, financial inclusion, and climate-resilient innovation.
• Participate in and represent FSD Africa at relevant forums, convenings, and networking opportunities.
• Support monitoring and evaluation of communications and influencing activities.

Relationship Management

Take initiative to build relationships and ensure effective collaboration with and between all venture building stakeholders and FSD Africa colleagues; includes managing consultants deployed to the programmes.

• Build and manage relationships with ventures, implementing partners, ecosystem actors, and service providers.
• Ensure stakeholders are aligned on expectations, delivery standards, safeguarding, and reporting requirements.
• Foster collaboration across FSD Africa pillars and programmes to leverage synergies and strengthen delivery.
• Manage consultants and technical partners, ensuring high-quality outputs and effective performance.
• Engage stakeholders continuously to strengthen partnerships and support successful delivery of venture building initiative.

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

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications and Education

• Master’s degree and 6 years of experience or Bachelor’s Degree and 8 years of experience
• Relevant postgraduate qualifications preferred
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English

Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• At least 6 years of experience in venture building, startup acceleration, or agribusiness/innovation programmes in emerging markets, particularly in Africa
• Strong experience in designing and delivering venture support or enterprise development initiatives, ideally within agri-tech, climate resilience, or financial inclusion
• Good understanding of early-stage finance, innovation ecosystems, and venture development approaches
• Excellent grasp of Project Cycle Management, with a proven track record of adaptive delivery
• Experience managing multi-country programmes or portfolios of projects
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across diverse partners
• Experience managing consultants and coordinating technical delivery
• Ability to manage programme budgets and resources effectively
• Strong digital literacy and ability to manage data and documentation systems

Desirable

• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
• Understanding of environmental and climate-related risks in development contexts
• Experience working with donors and knowledge of donor compliance requirements
• Previous experience working on FCDO-funded programmes
• Languages: French, Portuguese, or other African languages