Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Specialist

Job Description

Chemonics seeks an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Specialist for the Power Africa Empower Southern Africa (ESA) Program funded by USAID. ESA is a 5-year regional program that covers South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros and Sao Tome and Principe. The primary purpose of ESA is to increase the availability of, access to, and use of affordable, reliable, sustainable and clean energy in Southern Africa in order to reach measurable development outcomes. Measurable development outcomes include economic growth, reducing poverty, improving livelihoods, and increasing inclusive access to electricity-enabled services in such areas as health, education, sanitation, and food security. This position will be based in Pretoria, South Africa. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people and communities around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop, implement, and oversee ESG strategies aligned with international standards, local regulations, and ESA objectives
• Conduct thorough environmental and social impact assessments to identify potential risks, opportunities, and impacts for the ESA program
• Develop and execute risk management plans to mitigate any adverse environmental or social impacts, integrating measures to safeguard biodiversity, water resources, and community well-being
• Stay abreast of ESG trends, regulatory shifts, and industry best practices, particularly those relevant to renewable power generation
• Provide technical support to national energy regulators to improve tariff methodologies and structures
• Provide training and guidance to project teams and relevant stakeholders on ESG principles, fostering a culture of responsibility and awareness
• Supervise short-term consultants
• Perform other duties as assigned by Objective 3: Energy Sector Investment Lead

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, public policy, economics, sustainability, or a related field, Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum eight years of experience in policy development, regulatory affairs, or government relations within the energy sector in Southern Africa
• Strong knowledge of energy policies, regulatory frameworks, and governance structures in the region
• Proven track record in advocating for policy reforms and engaging with government entities
• Familiarity promoting gender equality and social inclusion in the energy sector
• Ability to work in multi-stakeholder with public and private sector
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to navigate complex regulatory environments
• Prior experience with managing a team of subject matter experts across multiple countries
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility and integrity
• Relevant computer skills (Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, etc.).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with command of French or Portuguese a plus

Application Instructions

Please submit an application to ESARecruitment@chemonics.com with the subject line “ESG Specialist – ESA Application” by January 31^st, 2024. No telephone inquiries, please. Chemonics will contact finalists.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

Chemonics values the protection of your personal data. If you are in the European Union, please read our EU Recruiting Data Privacy Notice to learn how we process personal data. You may access the notice via the following link: https://chemonics.com/eu-recruiting-data-privacy-notice/.

About the Organization

Founded in 1975, Chemonics is an international development consulting firm. In more than 70 countries around the globe, our network of 5,000 specialists share a simple belief: that the challenges we face today are best solved through the right partnerships — sharing knowledge, expertise, and experience to deliver results. As part of our culture and values, Chemonics is proud to be named a “Best Place to Work” in the Human Rights campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index. Where Chemonics works, development works. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or visit us at www.chemonics.com.