Risk and Compliance

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Associate

Nairobi
Work Type: Full Time

About SunCulture:

Founded in 2012, SunCulture’s Vision is to build a world where people take control of their environment in rewarding and sustainable ways. SunCulture does this by developing and commercializing life changing technologies that solves the biggest daily challenges for the world's 570 million smallholder farming households. We are the largest distributor of solar water pumps / solar irrigation for smallholder farmers in Africa and were selected by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2021. Here is a good explainer video recently made by CNBC. Over the last 5 years the company has grown significantly and now employs 400+ people around the world. 

 

About the role: 

SunCulture is seeking a passionate and driven ESG Associate who will be responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and management of our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies. This will involve working closely with internal and external stakeholders to enhance sustainability initiatives, measure the company’s impact, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements. You will play a key role in driving our mission to deliver clean energy solutions while fostering a positive social and environmental footprint.


Responsibilities


ESG Strategy Implementation

  • Support the Head of ESG in the effective execution of SunCulture’s ESG strategy, ensuring alignment with the company’s overall mission to deliver sustainable and innovative solar irrigation solutions.

  • Translate strategic goals into actionable plans and initiatives, providing regular progress updates.

ESMS Development and Alignment Support

  • Collaborate with the Head of ESG to design and establish a robust corporate-level Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS).

  • Facilitate the integration and execution of the ESMS across all departments, ensuring seamless alignment with SunCulture’s operational and compliance requirements.

Monitoring and Compliance

  • Oversee SunCulture’s adherence to Kenya’s ESG legal framework, ensuring compliance with all relevant environmental, social, and governance standards, policies, and regulations.

  • Conduct regular audits and assessments to identify gaps and ensure corrective measures are implemented promptly.

Data Collection and Analysis

  • Gather, analyze, and interpret ESG-related data to support effective decision-making and sustainability reporting.

  • Prepare detailed ESG reports for internal and external stakeholders, showcasing progress, impact, and areas for improvement.

Stakeholder Management

  • Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including investors, customers, regulatory bodies, and community groups, to communicate SunCulture’s ESG goals, initiatives, and performance metrics.

  • Act as a liaison between SunCulture and key stakeholders to foster collaboration and address concerns related to ESG practices.

Risk Management

  • Manage the company’s Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), ensuring ongoing identification, mitigation, and monitoring of environmental and social risks.

  • Work proactively to address potential ESG-related challenges, minimizing operational disruptions.

Continuous Improvement

  • Stay informed on global ESG trends, industry benchmarks, and best practices to keep SunCulture at the forefront of sustainability innovation.

  • Propose and implement enhancements to existing ESG policies and frameworks to improve performance and impact.

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Engagement

  • Work closely with cross-functional teams, including operations, marketing, finance, and product development, to embed ESG principles into core business activities.

  • Foster a culture of sustainability and ESG awareness across the organization.



 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Sustainability, or a related field

  • Strategic mindset (to merge ESG and Company-wide strategic objectives (i.e. OKRs))

  • Up-to-date on ESG compliance, legislation, standards and best practices within the AgTech/solar/agricultural sector, i.e., IFC Performance Standards, SDGs. 

  • Experience in working with a multitude of external stakeholders (e.g. institutional investors, impact investors, donors, lenders, NGOs, governments, private sector companies)

  • Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in ESG, sustainability, or a related field.

  • Ability to work with teams across multiple geographies

  • Understanding of, or experience in, working with data reporting flows (qualitative and quantitative data)

  • Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough research and analysis on ESG trends, best practices, and industry standards. Strong ability to synthesize information and provide actionable insights.  

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ESG concepts to diverse audiences.

  • Strong organizational skills

  • Has commitment to high quality work product 

  • Ability to manage multiple work streams at one time 

  • Ability to think creatively and to be comfortable at ambiguity

  • Ability to professionally interact with a wide range of individuals


Does this sound like you?

The core determinants for this role are someone:

  • Who is a culture fit

  • With strategic vision

  • With ability to execute on multiple work streams at once

  • With commitment to high quality work product

  • With ability to conduct thorough research and analysis on ESG trends, regulatory frameworks, best practices, and industry standards

  • Who has the ability to professionally interact with a wide range of individuals from C-Suite professionals, to external stakeholders, to junior staff



Interested?

Please apply online via this job portal. We respond to all candidates; however only shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.



Please Note:

SunCulture is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. 

 

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