Associate, Environmental & Social Risk Management – Lagos, Nigeria

Nature & Scope:

Our client, a large financial institution in Nigeria, is currently seeking to employ an Associate, Environmental & Social Risk Management, reporting to the Chief Risk Officer.  The ideal candidate will be expected to support rapidly growing portfolios and strengthen leadership in sustainable infrastructure finance across Africa. Under the Environmental and Social Risk Management Policy, the role will promote international best practices in environmental protection and social governance, advise clients to manage E&S risks, and ensure these risks are effectively identified, measured, and monitored within the credit and investment portfolios. The role also requires embedding E&S risk processes into the business’s Enterprise-wide Risk Management Framework (EWRMF).

Responsibilities:

• Environmental & Safety review and appraisal of new investment proposals (debt & equity) for the bank’s consideration, and identification and mitigation of potential environmental and social impacts, risks and issues early in the project.
• Ensure that appropriate environmental representations, warranties and covenants are incorporated in each loan or investment agreement.
• Work with clients to define steps (often in the form of E&S Action Plan) required to meet the requirements of IFC’s performance standards, The Equator Principles, African Development Bank Integrated Safeguard systems, The World Bank Group’s Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines, and relevant country E&S regulation and monitor performance of assigned projects.
• Identify opportunities for adding value in an investment project structure related to environmental and social opportunities above and beyond risk management, when appropriate
• Assist in the identification of and due diligence on "green" investments with a view to facilitating the growth of green investments that might qualify for GCF funds.
• Carry out corporation wide environmental and social risk management training, particularly as regards the Business originators.
• Periodically review and continuously ensure Environmental and Social Risk Management Policy and the Developmental Impact Policy is fully and appropriately implemented and flag any breaches.
• Work on the development/continuous improvement of E&S tools, checklists and guidelines to improve efficiency of project processing and enable improved client management of environmental and social issues.
• Where required, work with independent environmental and social consultants hired by the bank and/or co-lenders.
• Actively work with other risk management areas (credit, market, operational, etc.), to ensure that environmental and social risk management is effectively integrated into the business’s EWRMF
• Regularly work with the Chief Risk Officer to review portfolio-wide E&S risks and prepare E&S risk monitoring reports.
• Represent the company at technical meetings, industry events and environmental and social forums.

Competencies:

• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze diverse information and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions.
• Knowledge and working experience in emerging markets, particularly in the African continent and ability to travel frequently in the region required.
• Good team player who can work as a member of multi-disciplinary teams.

Requirements: Qualification and Skill

Education

• Graduate degree in relevant discipline (environmental, social sciences, sustainable development, engineering and related). A combination of E&S and engineering training and skillsets would be a differentiator.
• MBA or a master’s degree in a finance-related discipline, or final level attainment in, a relevant professional certification (CFA, ACA, FRM, ACI, etc.)

Experience

• 7-10 yrs practical experience in environmental and/or social management and assessment; experience in sectors such as infrastructure, heavy industry, oil and gas, and/or mining required; experience in working with financial institutions
• Experience and familiarity with the IFC Performance Standards, the Equator Principles, African Development Bank Integrated Safeguards System, World Bank Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines. Alternatively, experience and familiarity with the ILO Core Labour Standards will be an advantage.

Language

• Fluency in written and spoken English and French is mandatory.

Key Performance Indicators

• Minimization of losses caused by impairment of equity investment through effective portfolio management and use of risk mitigation measures.
• The banks management of Environmental and Social Risk Management adheres to international best practice, as defined by the IFC Performance Standards of Sustainability, as subsequently updated.
• Protect the bank from the crystallization of Legal and Reputation Risk in respect of Environmental and Social risk concerns.

Benefits and Contractual information:

• 3 Year renewable contract.
• Willing and able to relocate to Lagos, Nigeria
• Suitably qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

If you wish to apply for the position, please send your CV to Shearidan Pearman at [email protected]

Please visit www.caglobalint.com for more exciting opportunities.

Shearidan Pearman

Recruitment Manager – Banking and Finance | Africa

CA Global Finance

CA Global will respond to short-listed candidates only. If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful however your CV will be kept on our database for any other suitable positions.

CA Global Headhunters is an international staffing company with a specific focus on recruitment in Africa. Our extensive, diverse candidate network built up over 10 years comprises the most skilled and experienced candidates. We recruit talent of the highest standards across African sectors, including Mining, Oil & Gas, Engineering, Banking, Finance, Legal, Insurance, Commodities, and Agriculture. As African markets continue to grow and develop, so too does our skill and expertise, ensuring that we deliver the best service to both clients and candidates.

Thanks to our access to global networks and resources, we understand our clients’ cultures, operations, business strategies, and industries. We are always on par with the latest technologies and trends which assist us in sourcing the best talent for clients. Whatever stage of the project lifecycle, we can put forward the right candidates with the right skills.