Manager, ESG

Role Overview

This is a senior leadership position within FSD Africa’s investment arm, reporting to the Specialist, Strategic Risk. You will own the strategic direction and day-to-day operation of the Environmental and Social Performance Management (ESPM) system, ensuring that ESG considerations are embedded into every stage of the investment lifecycle — from origination and due diligence to portfolio monitoring and exit. Your work will directly shape how the institution manages risk, enhances development outcomes, and positions itself as a responsible investor across African markets.

Beyond transaction-level oversight, you will act as the organisation’s foremost ESG subject matter expert, advising internal teams, representing FSD Africa to external stakeholders, and continuously improving the frameworks, tools, and capabilities that underpin responsible investment. This is a role for someone who can balance technical rigour with strategic influence, and who is comfortable leading complex deals while also building the systems and people needed to sustain high-quality ESG practice over the long term.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing development and governance of FSD Africa’s ESG framework, including periodic reviews of the ESPM Manual, ESG policy, and exclusion list to ensure alignment with international standards, donor expectations, and emerging market practice.
• Provide technical leadership on ESG due diligence for complex, high-risk, or strategically significant investment transactions, and quality-assure the work of internal ESG staff and external consultants.
• Oversee ESG risk categorisation, exclusion list screening, safeguarding assessments, and gender lens assessments, ensuring these inputs are properly reflected in investment recommendations and committee papers.
• Drive the negotiation and inclusion of ESG action plans, conditions, and reporting requirements in legal and transaction documentation, working closely with investment teams to ensure commitments are enforceable and implemented.
• Monitor ESG performance across the investment portfolio, reviewing compliance data, identifying emerging risks, and leading the escalation and remediation of material ESG incidents or breaches.
• Manage, coach, and develop the ESG Associate and ESG Analyst, building a high-performing team and fostering continuous professional growth.
• Represent FSD Africa on ESG matters at Investment Committee, with funders, co-investors, development partners, and industry bodies, and lead external reporting such as the annual ESG report and thematic case studies.
• Strengthen ESG capability across the organisation and among investees and partners, including developing tools, methodologies, training, and guidance that embed responsible investment practice in day-to-day activities.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A Master’s degree with at least 6 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 8 years of relevant experience, from a recognised university.
• A postgraduate qualification in finance, investments, sustainable finance, environmental management, sustainability, development finance, or a related discipline.
• A professional certification in ESG, sustainability, or responsible investing (such as IFC/CDC ESG Toolkit, GRI, SASB, or the CFA ESG Investing Certificate) is an advantage.
• At least 6–8 years of relevant experience in finance, investment, or development finance in Sub-Saharan Africa, with substantial exposure to development finance or impact investing.
• At least three years in an ESG leadership role, including responsibility for leading technical ESG work, developing junior professionals, and managing external consultants.
• Proven experience leading ESG due diligence on complex investment transactions and presenting ESG findings and recommendations to Investment Committee or equivalent governance forums.
• Demonstrated 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 applying recognised approaches such as the 2X Criteria.
• Strong practical knowledge of the IFC Performance Standards, FCDO requirements, UNPRI, and other international standards relevant to development finance.
• Familiarity with climate finance, biodiversity and nature-related risks, Gender Lens Investing, and emerging ESG trends affecting African financial markets.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills, with the ability to prepare clear, decision-ready reports and engage credibly with senior internal and external stakeholders.