Sustainability Advisor

Norfund’s mission is to support of the building of sustainable businesses in poor countries and thereby contribute to economic and social development.  Norfund undertakes direct equity investments and provides loans in three sectors: Clean energy, Financial institutions and Food and Agribusiness. We operate in selected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia and Central America. We are now looking for a Sustainability Advisor to join the team in Nairobi or in Oslo. 

The Sustainability Advisor will work closely with Norfund’s project teams in the Clean Energy Department and the Food and Agri-business Department. Tasks include project appraisal, investment execution and asset management phases. The successful candidate will be a person with experience in assessing environmental and social risks and impacts of projects in developing countries, with good knowledge of best practices in environmental and social risk management and mitigation. The Sustainability Advisor will be expected to work closely with Norfund’s investment partners and investees as they develop their social and environmental management plans.

The successful candidate must be familiar with the IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability and the World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines, and should have experience from implementing projects in compliance with these standards and guidelines. The successful candidate must have relevant qualifications and have experience from industry, consulting or the finance sector. The Sustainability Advisor will be based in Nairobi or Oslo, will work about equal time for the Clean Energy Department and the Food and Agri-department with reporting to respective Head of Department depending on project.

Scope of work

• Support to project managers of investments in the Clean Energy and Food and Agribusiness portfolio.
• Participate in due diligence reviews of potential investments, with responsibility for environmental and social impacts and their mitigation, to ensure compliance with Norfund’s requirements.
• Participate in the preparation of due diligence documentation, investment papers, case studies and other reports.
• Assist investees in the preparation of environmental and social management plans in order to mitigate environmental and social risks and add value. 
• Monitoring of investees’ implementation of their environmental and social obligations and providing periodic evaluations of the environmental and social performance.
• Provide Sustainability training for Norfund’s internal investment teams and clients. Work to raise the overall profile and standard of environmental and social risk management across Norfund’s portfolio.

Specific qualifications for this position

• Higher university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• At least 5 years’ work experience in environmental and social impact assessment, mitigation and management within a relevant industry, consulting or finance. Experience of working with land-related issues and community relations is an advantage.
• Experience of working in developing countries, preferably in Africa. 
• Focused on achieving results through collaborative and constructive engagement.
• Experience from working in cross-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritise a busy and diverse workload with a range of deliverables.
• Strong analytical acumen and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

We can offer

• A highly competent and international working environment.
• International work experience.
• Experience with private investment in developing countries.
• A role in a small and focused project teams in a flat management structure.
• Competitive remuneration.

Applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The position is based in Nairobi or Oslo, and international travel is expected.

Questions about the position may be directed to Head of Department for Clean Energy, Mark Davis (+47 901 47 034) or Head of Department for agribusiness, Finn Ivar Marum (+47 982 06 339)

or HR Advisor Gro Hvammen at +47 911 32 443

Please send your application and CV to job@norfund.no by 16th January 2017