Sustainability Officer - Karachi

Requirements:

Introduction:

Enabling Qapital Ltd. (EQ) is a leading Impact Investment Advisory Company dedicated to a world where investments provide a financial and social return.
Following the objective to have a positive economic, social, and environmental impact. EQ currently advises USD 700 M in Assets within Microfinance and Access to Energy/ Clean Cooking. EQ boasts a global team of over 60 members speaking 21 languages and representing 12 countries, ensuring a widespread presence to deliver services on a global scale.

Enabling Qapital is moving money to meaning.

Role Summary:

The Sustainability Officer will be a part of the Sustainability Team, reporting directly to the Head of the Department. The Sustainability Officer will assist in fulfilling the Company's vision and mission by implementing its sustainability strategy, which entails the management of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risks and impact across all products and asset classes.
Responsibilities of the Sustainability Officer include collaborating closely with Investment Teams to enhance ESG frameworks, conduct portfolio monitoring, and identify sustainable investment opportunities. Additionally, the Sustainability Officer will contribute to investor reporting, engage with investee companies, and participate in external communications. Candidates are expected to be adaptable and demonstrate a proactive approach to understanding evolving sustainability, ESG and impact frameworks and regulations in the relevant industries and asset classes. A strong understanding and knowledge of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation is a plus.
The Sustainability Officer will be expected to work remotely or in an Enabling Qapital regional office, depending on the agreement during the recruitment process. In the case of remote work, the Sustainability Officer should be available for meetings on Teams, Zoom, and Skype, and be able to work without close supervision. Candidates can be based in any Asian, European, or African country. The Officer may be required to undertake travels in the regions, primarily to emerging market countries.

Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:
Scope of work

• • Support the implementation of EQ's sustainability strategy and impact activities across all asset classes.

Sustainability Strategy Development:

• • Assist in developing and implementing the sustainability strategy for Enabling Qapital and across all products;
• • Assist in establishing strategic commitments and KPIs;
• • Suggest and assist in developing respective data collection tools;
• • Research and analyze environmental, social and governance issues in emerging countries and provide updates to relevant stakeholders;
• • Monitor changes in legislation and industry standards related to sustainability matters in the investment areas of Enabling Qapital;

Sustainability Strategy Execution:

• • Design sustainability and impact initiatives with clear action plans, budget, and evaluation criteria;
• • Lead and / or provide support with the implementation of impact initiatives;
• • Source and oversee consultants involved in sustainability projects;
• • Collaborate with external entities on the implementation of sustainability projects and initiatives;
• • Review and monitor external agreements, commitments, standards, and legislation related to the Sustainability Department;

Sustainability Monitoring and Reporting

• • Actively contribute to the annual Sustainability Report's development including its structure, content, relevant data analysis and design;
• • Define and apply sustainability monitoring approaches to monitor, measure and mitigate ESG risks and impact from investments;
• • Assist the risk management team in defining and monitoring key ESG risk indicators;
• • Participate in ESG Due Diligence with Investment Officers;
• • Engage with stakeholders, respond to inquiries, and update informational materials;
• • Provide support to investees in completing reports.

Technical Development

• • Develop internal tools and procedures;
• • Participate in technical task forces and support management teams;
• • Contribute to new product development;

Detailed Key Performance Indicators (KPI´s)

• • Timeliness and quality of contributions to the annual Sustainability Report;
• • Number of ESG and impact activities successfully implemented across asset classes;
• • Gradual progression in aligning Enabling Qapital and its funds with the selected frameworks and standards;
• • Level, quality and timeliness of engagement with stakeholders on sustainability matters;
• • Adherence to set timelines for implementing sustainability initiatives;
• • Relationship management with investees and quality of communication and relationship with third parties;
• • Quality of collaboration with colleagues;
• • Development and maintenance of EQ analytical tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• • Degree in sustainability, finance, economics, or a related field;
• • Certifications in ESG and Impact;
• • Previous 3 - 5 years, hands-on experience in sustainability and impact initiatives, ideally within the financial inclusion and / or access to energy sectors;
• • Demonstrated interest in impact investing, emerging markets development, SDG's initiatives, green energy or energy transition projects;
• • Experience in managing projects related to sustainability initiatives, including designing action plans, budgeting, and evaluating outcomes;
• • Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with internal and external stakeholders, including investors, management teams, and regulatory bodies;
• • Ability to identify ESG risks and opportunities and develop solutions;
• • Experience in completing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and collaboration with development finance institutions;
• • Demonstrated success in collaborating with diverse stakeholders;
• • Familiarity with the European Union's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is desirable. Preference for candidates with experience in B-CORP, UN PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment), IRIS+ (Impact Reporting and Investment Standards), or similar frameworks.

Personal Profile:

• • Proactive, result-driven and willingness to perform both technical and administrative tasks;
• • Effectively work in small teams and highly challenging and/or rapidly changing working environments;
• • Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines;
• • Advanced personal, organizational and planning skills;
• • Flexibility and openness to assist other team members;
• • Willingness to live and work in developing countries and ability to undertake work related travel in the regions.