Equity Bank is a leading financial institution in Africa, with a mission to transform the lives and livelihoods of individuals and businesses by offering inclusive and modern financial services. Serving over 12 million customers across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the DRC, Equity Bank is renowned for its innovative and customer-centric approach.
To enhance its commitment to sustainability, the Bank is seeking a General Manager – Sustainable Finance to lead the development and growth of its sustainable finance portfolio.
Role Overview
Reporting to the Head of Sustainability for Kenya, the General Manager – Sustainable Finance will spearhead the Bank’s efforts to build a robust portfolio of sustainable finance products tailored to diverse customer segments and industries. The role entails strategic client engagement, product development, and risk management for green lending initiatives.
The successful candidate will collaborate with internal stakeholders, regulators, and development finance institutions to advance the Bank’s green lending agenda. They will also lead a team of sustainability professionals, providing mentorship and coaching to ensure achievement of sustainable finance goals.
Key Responsibilities
1. Sustainable Finance Strategy Development:
- Develop Equity Bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework and strategy, including initiatives such as green bonds, nature bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and carbon finance.
- Collaborate with product teams, commercial segments, credit and risk units, and other business units to design and roll out commercially viable sustainable finance products.
2. Client and Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build strong working relationships with business stakeholders such as regional and commercial leaders.
- Engage directly with clients through visits and forums to promote sustainable finance products and solutions.
- Support strategic engagement with development finance institutions to attract funding partnerships.
3. Capacity Building and Awareness:
- Drive internal awareness and education on sustainable finance opportunities to ensure targets are met across business units.
- Develop tools and systems for effective tracking and reporting on sustainable finance performance.
4. Research and Thought Leadership:
- Conduct research and benchmarking on global best practices, emerging trends, and new funding opportunities in sustainable finance.
- Provide regular updates to business units on opportunities and developments in sustainable finance.
5. Collaboration and Alignment:
- Work closely with Equity Group Foundation to align the Bank’s strategy with the Social and Environment Transformation Pillar of the Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan.
- Drive alignment with the Group’s broader strategy and tri-engine business model.
6. Leadership and Team Development:
- Lead and mentor a team of sustainability professionals to achieve business objectives.
- Foster a collaborative and positive work environment focused on delivering impactful results.
Qualifications
Educational Background:
- Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Development Economics, Finance, or related fields.
- A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is an added advantage.
Professional Certifications (Preferred):
- Environmental and Social Risk Management Certification.
- Climate Risk Management.
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting.
- Project Management/Program Management.
Experience:
- Over 10 years of experience in sustainability, environmental management, or a related field.
- Demonstrable expertise in sustainable finance solutions, green funding, Climate Risk Management, and green finance taxonomy.
- Strong familiarity with financial institutions and embedding sustainability into strategy and products.
Skills and Competencies:
- Proven ability to build and maintain productive client and strategic partner relationships.
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to craft policies, reports, and strategy documents.
- Commercial and client-oriented mindset with persuasive and influential communication skills.
Employment Details
- Organization: Risk
- Employment Type: Regular, Full-Time
- Job Level: Manager
- Work Schedule: Day Job
- Application Deadline: Open until filled
- Job Posting Date: November 19, 2024
How to Apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application online via the Equity Bank Careers Portal. Your application should include a detailed resume and cover letter highlighting your qualifications and experience.