Background

Reporting to the Head of Credit Support & Monitoring, the role holder will be responsible for achieving sustainable banking by integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into all aspects of credit operations, credit policies, and credit strategy.

The role involves overseeing compliance of all financed projects with global standards and regulatory requirements, while driving initiatives that promote sustainable finance and responsible investment practices. It entails managing ESG risks, unlocking growth opportunities, and cultivating a culture of accountability and transparency. Additionally, the role amplifies the Bank’s positive impact on society and the environment. From stakeholder engagement to performance reporting, the ESG function acts as a catalyst for transformative value creation, advancing the Bank toward its ambitious sustainability vision and long-term objectives.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise on key issues related to environmental and social impact assessment and on sustainability risks in the design, preparation, implementation and supervision of the Bank’s credit operations taking into consideration best industry practices and standards like IFC performance standards, Equator principles etc.
• Manage and coordinate ESG due diligence for new and existing credit proposals, identifying and mitigating key ESG risks associated with clients and projects, ensuring their magnitude and significance are fully understood.
• Design and integrate effective and feasible measures into safeguard plans and projects to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse ESG impacts, while preparing the necessary project processing documentation.
• Train and build the capacity of clients to ensure their understanding of applicable safeguard policies, guidelines, and project-specific requirements, while ensuring they possess the commitment and capability to effectively manage social and environmental impacts and risks, supported by mechanisms that facilitate implementation.
• Supervise and monitor bank-financed projects to verify the implementation of mitigation measures.
• Work with clients and other relevant units of the Bank to mobilize technical and financial support to enhance the environmental and social sustainability of their operations, adding value to operations.
• Conduct consultations with stakeholders (Internal & External) in accordance with relevant policies and guidelines to enhance and review the bank’s ESG policy.
• Developing a tracking and monitoring mechanism for all post approval covenants and escalating any breaches accordingly.
• Collaborating with Credit Managers and Relationship Managers (RMs) to implement remedial plans by recommending appropriate actions for noncompliant customers.
• Preparing regulatory and compliance reports on the bank’s ESG status, such as the Environmental and Social Annual Monitoring Report and Arise Annual Report, the Bank’s sustainability report to BoU, etc., while ensuring that financed projects comply with the required ESG standards in collaboration with funders.

Qualifications and Experience

• A University Degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Law, Industrial Engineering, or relevant field.
• Must possess Certification in E&S Impact Assessment or E&S Risk Management/Analysis, or in Sustainability or NEMA certified.
• Work experience of five (5) years in the ESG field.
• Ability to work with private sector firms and government agencies like NEMA, Ministry of Water & Environment, Min. of Gender & Labour, Min. of Energy, PSFU, etc.
• Good interpretation and decision-making ability.
• Ability to manage complex and multifaceted stakeholders.
• Effective communicator and influencer to drive the Bank’s ESG agenda.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Good planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent understanding of the banking act and prudential guidelines.
• Good knowledge of banking products and evolving credit risk management systems.
• Good understanding of legal risks and laws applicable to Banking and Finance relating to lending and credits documentation.

• Provide technical expertise on key issues related to environmental and social impact assessment and on sustainability risks in the design, preparation, implementation and supervision of the Bank’s credit operations taking into consideration best industry practices and standards like IFC performance standards, Equator principles etc.
• Manage and coordinate ESG due diligence for new and existing credit proposals, identifying and mitigating key ESG risks associated with clients and projects, ensuring their magnitude and significance are fully understood.
• Design and integrate effective and feasible measures into safeguard plans and projects to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse ESG impacts, while preparing the necessary project processing documentation.
• Train and build the capacity of clients to ensure their understanding of applicable safeguard policies, guidelines, and project-specific requirements, while ensuring they possess the commitment and capability to effectively manage social and environmental impacts and risks, supported by mechanisms that facilitate implementation.
• Supervise and monitor bank-financed projects to verify the implementation of mitigation measures.
• Work with clients and other relevant units of the Bank to mobilize technical and financial support to enhance the environmental and social sustainability of their operations, adding value to operations.
• Conduct consultations with stakeholders (Internal & External) in accordance with relevant policies and guidelines to enhance and review the bank’s ESG policy.
• Developing a tracking and monitoring mechanism for all post approval covenants and escalating any breaches accordingly.
• Collaborating with Credit Managers and Relationship Managers (RMs) to implement remedial plans by recommending appropriate actions for noncompliant customers.
• Preparing regulatory and compliance reports on the bank’s ESG status, such as the Environmental and Social Annual Monitoring Report and Arise Annual Report, the Bank’s sustainability report to BoU, etc., while ensuring that financed projects comply with the required ESG standards in collaboration with funders.

• Good interpretation and decision-making ability.
• Ability to manage complex and multifaceted stakeholders.
• Effective communicator and influencer to drive the Bank’s ESG agenda.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Good planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent understanding of the banking act and prudential guidelines.
• Good knowledge of banking products and evolving credit risk management systems.
• Good understanding of legal risks and laws applicable to Banking and Finance relating to lending and credits documentation.

• A University Degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Law, Industrial Engineering, or relevant field.
• Must possess Certification in E&S Impact Assessment or E&S Risk Management/Analysis, or in Sustainability or NEMA certified.
• Ability to work with private sector firms and government agencies like NEMA, Ministry of Water & Environment, Min. of Gender & Labour, Min. of Energy, PSFU, etc.