Head of Group Sustainability at NCBA Group
About the job
Job Purpose Statement
The driving force behind NCBA Group’s efforts to integrate sustainability into our financial strategies and operations, playing a pivotal role in developing and implementing sustainable finance initiatives, ensuring alignment with our commitment to environmental and social responsibility, while delivering financial success. The Head of Group Sustainability will be responsible for leading and driving the Group’s sustainability initiatives across all aspects of the organization. The role will be responsible for implementing the Group’s Sustainability Strategy and commitments, guiding the sustainability team, and ensuring that the organization’s commitment to ESG is upheld.
The position will report to the Director of Strategy and Chief of Staff and will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. It will also have the following:
- Direct reports: Senior Sustainability Program Manager
- Indirect reports: Regional Sustainability Leads
Key internal stakeholders that the role holder will need to liaise/work with to be successful in this role include the Group Managing Director, the EXCOM Business Heads, and General Managers. External stakeholders that the role holder will work closely with entail ESG External advisors and consultants, DFIs and investors, Bank Customers, Professional Associations, PR Agencies, Creative Agencies, Research Agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.
Decision-Making Authority/Mandates/Constraints: the decisions the position holder is empowered to make at:
- Managerial – provide guidance to the Business Managers to ensure effective and efficient reporting.
- Operational – support the relevant stakeholders in addressing the business requirements.
Key Accountabilities (Duties and Responsibilities):
Leadership/ Supervisory Role – 30%
- Ensure implementation of appropriate Group Sustainability Framework policies throughout various business units and continuous refinement.
- Collaborate with functional representatives and sustainability champions to manage citizenship and sustainability plans and strategies, execution timelines, and deliverables.
- Lead the strategic sustainability and citizenship mapping process for departments and functions.
- Research new sustainability thinking to match the business needs and ensure that the bank stays ahead of the curve.
- Design and oversee the implementation of employee engagement programs, for example, fundraising and employee volunteering programs.
- Enhance the Group’s environmental and social credentials and represent the approach and strategy to both internal and external audiences.
- Communicate the business value of sustainability citizenship activity, creating awareness regarding its importance and impact.
- Implement the community investment strategies and sustainability, aligned with the Group’s brand, governance, and reporting frameworks, driving market differentiation for the business.
Product Development Advisory – 20%
- Lead the development, strategic planning, and execution of the Group’s Green and Sustainable finance strategy including Green Bonds, sustainable lending, and a host of other sustainable finance products.
- Provide strategic guidance and expertise on the creation of sustainable financial instruments ensuring that they align with the Group’s values and goals.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, market, and manage sustainable finance products continuously enhancing our product portfolio.
- Identify and evaluate sustainable investment opportunities, including green bonds, impact investments, and sustainable financial products.
- Stay updated on emerging sustainable finance instruments, frameworks, and best practices to drive innovation within the organization.
Financial Skills and Structuring – 20%
- Oversee the financial structuring and execution of sustainable projects, assessing risk and ensuring optimal capital allocation.
- Continuously monitor and analyze the performance of sustainable finance offerings, making data-driven adjustments to enhance profitability and sustainability.
- Demonstrate high-quality strategic thinking, providing deal origination support in conjunction with senior bankers.
- Project and finance documentation review and closing process, interfacing with internal & external legal counsels, and negotiating deal points with clients.
- Lead credit assessment on transactions and oversee internal credit approval processes.
- Review, coordinate, and oversee project-level due diligence including relevant technical, engineering, and market studies.
Stakeholder management & Collaboration – 20%
- Build trusted and value-adding partnerships, in a proactive and commercially astute manner to enhance our agenda locally, regionally, and even globally.
- Maintain relationships with the business community, government, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
- Appraise and create meaningful and sustainable relationships with suppliers and related structures through meetings, stakeholder networking events, and program partnerships.
- Assist different departments in comprehensive alignment on sustainability projects.
- Work with top management across the business to drive organizational change and commercial excellence.
- Drive the business development agenda through sharing best practices and trends with business development executives and stakeholders.
- Cultivate strong and strategic partnerships with key business units, fostering an understanding of sustainable finance opportunities and ensuring alignment with the bank’s overarching objectives.
- Collaborate closely with relationship managers, business development teams, and client-facing professionals to deliver sustainable finance solutions to our diverse client base.
- Act as a subject matter expert and advisor, participating in client meetings, pitches, and negotiations as needed.
- Ensure the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into our financial decision-making processes, risk assessment, and investment strategies.
Governance and reporting – 10%
- Develop and constantly evaluate the progress and status of implementation of formulated projects and programs, evaluating the return on investment.
- Ensure quarterly reporting on the progress of implementation of agreed sustainability action plans.
- Prepare and deliver reports on the performance of sustainability activity results across the business.
- Embed and implement the monitoring and evaluation framework of sustainability at NCBA.
- Prepare reports and recommendations for senior management and stakeholders.
Ideal Job Specifications:
Academic
- Master’s degree preferred; in sustainability, environmental studies, development economics, finance, law, international relations, or other related studies.
- Professional qualification or certification in an environment or climate risk-related field is an added advantage.
Desired work experience
- Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in sustainability, preferably in the financial sector, including supporting institutions in embedding Sustainability into their Strategy and the products and services offered.
- Successfully managing multiple large-scale programs in a corporate setting (top candidates will be experienced in both the technology and business dimensions of these programs).
Technical Competencies:
- Commercial and client-oriented, with an ability to persuade and influence a wide range of people.
- Strong team skills, contributing to team success and a constructive, positive, and collaborative work environment.
- Strong knowledge of banking and finance products and terminology.
- Ability to build productive lasting working relationships with clients and strategic partners.
- Strong understanding of sustainability and climate change issues as they impact business and the financial sector.
- Thorough understanding and practical experience of Sustainability management and financial products.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Behavioral Competencies:
- Exceptional communication skills.
- Experience coaching and mentoring a diverse team, preferably in a global environment.
- Exceptional interpersonal, problem-solving, team-building, and communication skills (including presentation skills – MS PowerPoint).
- Excellent client service focus, with confidence in working with decision-makers across all levels.
- A high degree of personal initiative, a high level of commitment, and an ability to work under time pressure.
- Demonstrate consistent career progression with increasing levels of responsibility.
NCBA Values
- Driven – We are passionate, make bold decisions, and learn from our failures. We seek new challenges and appreciate different views constantly raising the bar. We explore our full potential.
- Open – Our interactions are candid, honest, and transparent. We listen to each other and our clients. We are inclusive and always respect each other.
- Responsive – We are proactive and act quickly and resolutely to deliver results. We put our customer’s interests at the heart of all that we do. We keep it simple and seek new ways to improve.
- Trusted – As a trusted partner we do what is morally, right always. We keep our word. We are accountable and believe in each other.
How to apply
NCBA is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, tribe, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or national law. Hence, persons of all gender, race, sex, orientation, age, and identity are encouraged to apply.
Shortlist (www.shortlist.net) is our exclusive recruitment partner for this role. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is closed, though early applications are strongly encouraged. If you believe you meet the attributes and skills above, please apply click on the job link to apply.