Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Associate

About the role: 

SunCulture is seeking a passionate and driven ESG Associate who will be responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and management of our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies. This will involve working closely with internal and external stakeholders to enhance sustainability initiatives, measure the company’s impact, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements. You will play a key role in driving our mission to deliver clean energy solutions while fostering a positive social and environmental footprint.

Responsibilities

ESG Strategy Implementation

• Support the Head of ESG in the effective execution of SunCulture’s ESG strategy, ensuring alignment with the company’s overall mission to deliver sustainable and innovative solar irrigation solutions.
• Translate strategic goals into actionable plans and initiatives, providing regular progress updates.

ESMS Development and Alignment Support

• Collaborate with the Head of ESG to design and establish a robust corporate-level Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS).
• Facilitate the integration and execution of the ESMS across all departments, ensuring seamless alignment with SunCulture’s operational and compliance requirements.

Monitoring and Compliance

• Oversee SunCulture’s adherence to Kenya’s ESG legal framework, ensuring compliance with all relevant environmental, social, and governance standards, policies, and regulations.
• Conduct regular audits and assessments to identify gaps and ensure corrective measures are implemented promptly.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Gather, analyze, and interpret ESG-related data to support effective decision-making and sustainability reporting.
• Prepare detailed ESG reports for internal and external stakeholders, showcasing progress, impact, and areas for improvement.

Stakeholder Management

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including investors, customers, regulatory bodies, and community groups, to communicate SunCulture’s ESG goals, initiatives, and performance metrics.
• Act as a liaison between SunCulture and key stakeholders to foster collaboration and address concerns related to ESG practices.

Risk Management

• Manage the company’s Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), ensuring ongoing identification, mitigation, and monitoring of environmental and social risks.
• Work proactively to address potential ESG-related challenges, minimizing operational disruptions.

Continuous Improvement

• Stay informed on global ESG trends, industry benchmarks, and best practices to keep SunCulture at the forefront of sustainability innovation.
• Propose and implement enhancements to existing ESG policies and frameworks to improve performance and impact.

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Engagement

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including operations, marketing, finance, and product development, to embed ESG principles into core business activities.
• Foster a culture of sustainability and ESG awareness across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Sustainability, or a related field
• Strategic mindset (to merge ESG and Company-wide strategic objectives (i.e. OKRs))
• Up-to-date on ESG compliance, legislation, standards and best practices within the AgTech/solar/agricultural sector, i.e., IFC Performance Standards, SDGs. 
• Experience in working with a multitude of external stakeholders (e.g. institutional investors, impact investors, donors, lenders, NGOs, governments, private sector companies)
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in ESG, sustainability, or a related field.
• Ability to work with teams across multiple geographies
• Understanding of, or experience in, working with data reporting flows (qualitative and quantitative data)
• Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough research and analysis on ESG trends, best practices, and industry standards. Strong ability to synthesize information and provide actionable insights.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ESG concepts to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational skills
• Has commitment to high quality work product 
• Ability to manage multiple work streams at one time 
• Ability to think creatively and to be comfortable at ambiguity
• Ability to professionally interact with a wide range of individuals