Job Information
CrossBoundary Environmental, Social, and Governance Manager - Nairobi, Kenya in Nairobi, Kenya
Environmental, Social, and Governance Manager
CrossBoundary Access
About the Firm
Founded in 2011, CrossBoundary is a mission-driven investment firm committed to unlocking the power of capital for sustainable growth and strong returns in underserved markets. CrossBoundary provides transaction and investment advisory services, having developed a specialized expertise in unleashing investment across all sectors in these markets. Our advisory clients include governments, development finance institutions, private equity firms, Fortune 100 companies, and research institutions. Learn more at www.crossboundary.com
In 2019 CrossBoundary launched CrossBoundary Access, Africa’s first project finance fund for mini-grids. Building on the success of this first raise, CrossBoundary Access closed $25 million in new funding commitments (https://www.crossboundary.com/energy-access/announcement/) from ARCH Emerging Markets Partners Limited, Bank of America, and Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund in 2022. In September 2023, the platform secured an additional $10 million from AfDB’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA). CrossBoundary Access continues to raise and deploy a total of $150 million of blended project finance over the next three years to bring clean energy to one million people in Africa.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the solar mini-grid sector needs $187 billion to achieve universal energy access by 2030. CrossBoundary Access believes project finance is key to unlocking the long-term, infrastructure-type capital that the mini-grid sector needs.More information on CrossBoundary Access can be found at https://crossboundary.com/access/.
Job Description
CrossBoundary Access is seeking a full-time ESG Manager to lead and implement its ESG strategy for financing the development, construction, operation, and management of solar mini-grids in Africa. The ESG Manager will act as a hands-on problem-solver within project teams comprising investments, finance, engineering, operations, and legal professionals, collaboratively delivering energy access solutions.
Who We Are
The CrossBoundary team is a unique group of people who are genuinely excited by the opportunity to make a difference in some of the most challenging and exciting markets in the world. Team members come from diverse backgrounds but share several qualities: curiosity, humility, integrity, a drive for excellence, and a bias for action.
Who You Are
Self-starter who is passionate about creating lasting change in underserved markets
Passionate about blended finance, private-sector development, and development finance
Adept at managing multiple work streams and prioritizing effectively
Committed to creating sustainable climate finance solutions that contribute to climate change mitigation, and adaptation, and address biodiversity loss
Interested in ways to help companies and investors improve their climate strategies
Takes on new types of work, even without prior experience/direct supervision
High tolerance for ambiguity and an ability to operate effectively in a changing context
Builds and maintains strong relationships with clients and colleagues in stressful environments
Confident presenting to high-level executives
Passionate about supporting other team members to realize their goals
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline i.e., environmental management, sustainability. Master’s degree in a similar field will be looked upon favourably.
5+ years of evaluating and enforcing international ESG standards at a consultancy, investment firm, or infrastructure developer.
Experience in monitoring ESG compliance and enforcing ESG standards in multiple countries and on infrastructure projects.
Relevant national or international ESG certifications or coursework.
Experience in emerging markets, but in Africa specifically will be looked upon favourably.
Experience in energy or solar power is not a requirement, will be looked upon favourably.
A track record of excellence across educational and professional career.
Efficient and fluent operator within Microsoft Office tools, including Microsoft Teams, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Primary Responsibilities
Implement CrossBoundary Access’ ESG strategy, policies, and guidelines.
Implement CrossBoundary Access’ ESMS in line with international ESG standards to provide an E&S risk management lens to the investment process throughout the whole investment lifecycle.
Support CrossBoundary Access fundraising process by overseeing investor ESG due diligence process and building and maintaining relationships with ESG stakeholders for potential and existing investors.
Work with the investment team to conduct ESG risks and opportunities screening as well as due diligence of potential external partners and develop Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAP). Identify gaps in Know Your Business Partner (KYBP) and governance procedures and develop corporate governance action plan (CGAP) for prospective investments.
Develop ESG requirements for inclusion in contracts with external partners, and lead in the onboarding of them regarding these requirements to ensure their full understanding.
Oversee the implementation of the ESG requirements by external partners through review of documentation (ESIAs, permits, ESMSs, ESG policies, ESG risk registers, stakeholder engagement plans (SEPs), emergency preparedness and response plans (EPRPs), grievance mechanisms), conducting site visits, and reviewing reports from the external parties, etc.
Set and own process for achieving portfolio ESG and impact KPIs and targets.
Track project applications for construction, environmental, and safety permits as required.
Ensure compliance with international and Group corporate governance policies for both CrossBoundary Access and its external partners. Take action to address any breaches.
Develop comprehensive ESG reports as needed for both internal and external stakeholders including investors and disseminate in accordance with reporting deadlines. This includes quarterly and annual investor ESG reports.
Keep abreast of sector-wide practices around e-waste management and forced labour/human rights issues in the supply chain and advise CrossBoundary Access on the best approach to managing these.
Train the CrossBoundary Access team on ESG risk management principles applicable to investing, the requirements of the Applicable ESG Standards, and their relevance to the energy access sector covering construction and operations.
Support formulation of CrossBoundary Access carbon strategy.
Represent CrossBoundary Access in formal and informal speaking engagements.
Think you have what it takes but not sure you check every box? Research shows that while men apply to roles when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women often only apply when they meet every requirement. If you’re passionate about what we’re building, apply! We want to hear from you.
Location
The ESG Manager will join our team in Nairobi, Kenya. This role will involve an estimated 8 weeks of international travel per year.
Equal Opportunity Employer
CrossBoundary is an equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to recruiting@crossboundary.com (human.resources@crossboundary.com)
Contact
Interested candidates should apply at https://www.crossboundary.com/careers/
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