Environmental & Social Governance Officer

The AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a development institution that finances early and growth-stage businesses to innovate, create jobs, and leverage investments and markets to create resilience and sustainable incomes in rural and marginalized communities in Africa.

Since 2008, we have invested over US$ 300 million in over 510 businesses across sub-Sahara Africa focusing on Agribusiness, Renewable Energy, and Climate-smart Technologies. We have impacted more than 33 million lives, created over 35,000 jobs, and leveraged over US$ 838 million in matching funds to our portfolio companies.

AECF is headquartered in Kenya, with offices in Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Sudan, Benin, and Somalia.

About the Program

The Energy Transition Challenge Fund (ETCF) will co-finance projects from the public and private sectors to promote the uptake of renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency-enhancing investments, and the extension of vocational training opportunities. Nigeria’s Net Zero ambition is based on a transition to full electrification of the economy by 2060 – 250 GW of installed capacity (90% renewable), 80% of the fleet from EV, and clean cooking for 80% of the population. Reaching such targets requires innovative financing and first-loss investments (such as catalytic grants) in technological improvements, productive energy and fuel switching in priority sectors, business model iteration, and scaling for universal access, skills, and job creation in Energy Transition priority sectors.

The Role

The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Officer will play a crucial role in ensuring that the ETCF Programme adheres to the highest standards of environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance. The incumbent will be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring ESG strategies that align with both donor requirements and local regulations, ensuring the program’s positive impact on communities and the environment. Additionally, the role holder will act as the custodian of the Grievance Response Mechanism (GRM), including administration of the complaints process, monitoring the handling of complaints, and suggesting changes to policies or practices based on lessons learned.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement ESG policies and strategies tailored to the specific needs of the energy transition project.
• Monitor changing laws, regulations and corporate directives relating to E&S and update relevant documentation.
• Develop an E&S training framework for project staff and all the beneficiaries of the ETCF programme.
• Ensure that the project aligns with international ESG standards, donor guidelines, and Nigerian regulatory requirements.
• Participate in selection of ETCF beneficiaries which will involve working with a team to mark concept notes; screen and categorize transactions based on their environmental and social risk, conduct environmental and social due diligence; and monitor the investee’s environmental and social performance following applicable E&S risk management framework (ESRMF).
• Support the preparation, review and implementation of relevant safeguards instruments by project beneficiaries.
• Review all available information and documentation related to project environmental and social impacts and hazards; conduct an E&S appraisal of all prospective projects, as well as the ongoing supervision of E&S performance of portfolio companies consistent with the material and company’s policies and procedures.
• During the on-site due diligence phase, conduct site inspections, review facility-based records, and interview key staff and relevant stakeholders (regulatory officials, community leaders, suppliers, and customers) for purposes of identifying any E&S issues.
• Regularly monitor the recommendations for E&S for each investee to confirm implementation, in collaboration with the portfolio team.
• Identification of beneficiaries that could be considered for E&S Technical Assistance.
• Prepare E&S reports on the portfolio for senior management or any other stakeholder as required.
• Being the focal person for management of grievances, the incumbent shall be involved in registration of received grievances, tracking, participation in internal and external grievance committees. The officer will also establish appropriate communication channels with the grievant(s) and ensure appropriate resolution/closure of all grievances reported.
• Build local capacity to manage and sustain ESG initiatives beyond the project’s lifecycle.

Suitable Candidate Should:

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, social sciences, sustainable development, or a related field.
• Have a strong understanding of ESG principles, with at least 5 years of experience in an ESG-related role, preferably in the energy sector working on donor-funded projects.
• Have knowledge of Nigerian environmental and social regulations and international ESG standards and excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Be a strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement ESG frameworks.
• Have strong project management skills with a focus on sustainability.
• Have the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Have cultural sensitivity and experience working in diverse environments.
• Be willing to travel to project sites across Nigeria as needed.
• Have the ability to work in challenging environments, with a focus on achieving project goals in a sustainably.