Esg Specialist

We are looking for an individual with strong communication and analytic skills to join our Shared Value and Sustainability Department. Under the leadership of General Manager: Shared Value and Sustainability, you will be responsible for supporting the effective operationalising and implementation of the Group’s ESG Strategic Framework. You will also be responsible for the coordination, reporting and in certain instances the execution of ESG activities for the AVBOB Group in accordance with the approved ESG policy, operational and execution plan.

ESG function and ESD programmes

• Working under the leadership of the General Manager: Shared Value and Sustainability, bring on board ESG specialist capabilities to support the implementation of the Group’s ESG Strategic Framework and applicable policies.
• Implement the ESG and ESD operational plan in line with the approved business objectives.
• Provide technical support into the execution of Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programmes to achieve social impact objectives.
• Gather learnings and insights, for relevant ESG and ESD programs nationally and internationally.
• Provide subject matter expert guidance to the ESG Committee in the execution of AVBOB’s ESG Strategic Framework.
• Provide input and recommendations to the cross-functional teams to inform the identification of opportunities, assessment of ESG related risks to enable the integration of ESG activities in the day-to-day operations of the business.
• Assist various BUs to monitor and measure their ESG and ESD initiatives and furthermore provide meaningful input into the required governance reports e.g. Social and Ethics etc.
• Co-ordinate information gathering from business units and departments for impact assessment and measure the progress and against pre-determined strategy-informed metrics.
• Assist in driving a culture of data reviewing by analysing the ESG data and give input for data-driven decision-making by managers across the business in terms of the approved strategy.

  Administrative

• Investigate and conduct pre-evaluation on ESG and ESD proposals received and ensure that they are compliant to industry regulatory/legislative requirements and that they align to the respective policies when collaborating with a company for to provide services that aligns with ESG strategy.
• Prepare post-implementation evaluation for executed ESD initiatives for inclusion in various reports.
• Ensure that the administrative requirements are upheld by the different business units in the implementation of ESG initiatives in order to comply with the annual internal, compliance audits and possible BBBEE (including ESD) requirements.
• Ensure that internal Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are in place for all ESG projects as actioned by the ESG specialist and engage with relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries regarding the required legislative requirements
• Provide input into the upskilling of employees within the organisation on aspects pertaining to ESG best practices.
• Coordinate data collection, capturing, in-depth analysis, reporting and ESG communication efforts, and thereby supporting the work of the ESG Committee.
• Maintain high quality standards in the integrity of the ESG data collated across the Group in line with the approved ESG frameworks, standards disclosure metrics.
• Adhere to the data management control measures instituted in the Group’s data protection policies.

Stakeholder management

• Establish and nurture relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support internal stakeholders in the development of systems, methodologies and tools, which will ensure that business units and departments understand their role in reporting.
• Give input to applicable business units and departments to set objectives align targets and agree, with various departments, on what assessment matrices will be monitored whilst keeping track of outputs and outcomes.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that all ESG and ESD initiatives are monitored and evaluated accurately and meaningfully, thus demonstrating impact.

  Budget administration

• Administer the ESG and ESD budget and ensure that are funds are allocated to approved initiatives, in line with the approved Delegation of Authority.
• Keep accurate record of initiatives funded.
• Correct any erroneous budget allocations in conjunction with the Senior Clerk and Finance team.
• Ensure that payments are made timeously and in-line with the required Finance Department requirements.

  Management reporting

• Prepare and give input to management reports on ESG and ESD execution plans, ESG Management Committee meetings and reports, where applicable BBBEE report and scorecard.
• Consolidate Group ESG efforts for reporting purposes to relevant governance structures (EXCO, Social and Ethics Committee, annual integrated report, etc.) for review and approval by General Manager.

  People management

• Host the ESG Data Interns employed through the skills development programme and support their development path.

• Post matric tertiary qualification (Bachelor’s degree) in Data Science or related field of study.
• Minimum 5 years relevant working experience, especially in the area of Environment, Social and Governance.
• Proficient in MS Office, management information systems (MIS).
• Extensive knowledge of ESG an implementation of ESD programs
• Good knowledge of statistical analysis principles and methods.
• Knowledge and experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of social impact programmes.
• Strong project management, relationship building and networking skills.
• Well-developed communication skills (verbal, written and listening).
• Good knowledge of budget management principles.
• Analytical skills, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong conflict management, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Resilience to manage work demands and competing priorities (workload and meeting deadlines).
• Good interpersonal and leadership skills (work independently and ability to function effectively at different levels – manage cross functionally, horizontally and laterally) and team player.
• Problem management and process improvement. Excellent follow up and follow through skills.
• Conducts self and business in ethical manner, aligned to business policies and governance principles.
• Results driven (passionate about delivery and quality), decisiveness, self-motivated, adaptable and learning mind-set.
• Internal and external stakeholder engagement.
• Communicates effectively (written, verbal, listening).
• Values driven – aligned to AVBOB values.
• Willing to travel extensively locally (across South Africa).