Job Summary:

The ESG Officer is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on ASA Microfinance Zambia's ESG strategy and programs. The role ensures that the organization meets its social responsibility obligations, complies with applicable environmental and governance frameworks, and creates measurable positive impact for clients, staff, communities, and the environment. The ESG Officer serves as the institutional focal point for all ESG-related matters, stakeholder engagement, and impact reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:

ESG Strategy & Policy Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive ESG strategy aligned with ASA Zambia's mission, corporate goals, and international best practices (International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards, UN SDGs, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards).
• Design, review, and update ESG policies, frameworks, and guidelines, ensuring Board and senior management approval and organizational adoption.
• Integrate ESG considerations into institutional planning, budgeting, product development, and operational processes.
• Benchmark ASA Zambia's ESG performance against industry peers and international microfinance ESG standards.

Environmental Management

• Assess and monitor the environmental footprint of ASA's operations, including energy consumption, water use, waste management, and carbon emissions at Head Office and branches.
• Develop and implement environmental management plans to reduce the institution's ecological impact and promote resource efficiency.
• Conduct environmental risk assessments for lending activities, ensuring financed activities do not cause significant environmental harm.

Social Performance & Client Protection

• Lead the institution's Social Performance Management (SPM) initiatives, including client satisfaction surveys, poverty outreach measurement, and social audits.
• Champion the implementation of the Universal Standards for Social and Environmental Performance Management (USSEPM) and Client Protection Principles (CPP).
• Monitor and analyze social performance indicators such as client dropout rates, over-indebtedness, client complaints, and social outcomes.
• Coordinate gender equality and women's economic empowerment programs in alignment with ASA Zambia's client base demographics.
• Develop and oversee community investment and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that create tangible social value.

Governance & Compliance

• Support the Board and Senior Management in upholding high standards of corporate governance, ethical conduct, and transparency.
• Maintain the ESG risk register and ensure ESG risks are integrated into the institution's enterprise risk management (ERM) framework.
• Coordinate ESG due diligence processes for new investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), and donor engagements.
• Support the preparation of board reports, investor disclosures, and regulatory submissions on ESG matters.

Reporting, Data & Impact Measurement

• Develop robust ESG data collection systems and impact measurement frameworks to track performance against targets.
• Prepare high-quality ESG reports, sustainability disclosures, and social impact reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate annual social audits and third-party ESG assessments, facilitating external verification processes.
• Produce periodic ESG dashboards and management information reports for senior leadership reviews.
• Contribute to the preparation of annual reports incorporating integrated ESG disclosures.

Staff Capacity Building & Culture

• Design and facilitate ESG training and awareness program for all levels of staff, including field officers and branch managers.
• Foster a culture of social responsibility, environmental consciousness, and ethical conduct across the institution.
• Develop ESG toolkits and resources to support operational staff in embedding ESG principles in day-to-day activities.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison for ESG-related engagements with investors, DFIs, regulators, rating agencies, and NGOs.
• Represent ASA Zambia at industry forums, ESG working groups, and relevant national and international platforms.
• Manage relationships with ESG-focused partners and support the mobilization of impact investment and grant funding aligned with ESG objectives

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Sustainability, Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• A postgraduate qualification (Master's degree or equivalent) in Sustainability Management, ESG, Development Finance, or a related discipline will be a distinct advantage.
• Minimum of 10+ years’ experience in ESG and sustainable development, preferably from the microfinance, banking or financial services industry.
• Professional certifications in ESG, sustainability, or social performance (e.g., GRI Certified Sustainability Professional, UNPRI signatory training, CFA ESG Certificate, or equivalent) will be highly desirable.
• Membership of professional body (e.g., Zambia Institute of Environmental Management, Zambia Institute of Bankers) is an added advantage.
• Deep knowledge of ESG frameworks, standards, and methodologies including GRI Standards, IFC Performance Standards, SASB, TCFD, UN SDGs, and Social Performance Management (SPM) standards.
• Strong understanding of environmental management, climate risk, and sustainable finance principles.
• Proficiency in data analysisAnalytical & Research Skills
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to interpret complex data and derive actionable insights.
• Ability to conduct literature reviews, benchmarking exercises, and gap analyses to inform policy decisions.
• Experience in designing and conducting surveys, focus group discussions, and social audits.

Core Competencies:

• Mission Alignment & Social Commitment
• Integrity & Ethical Conduct
• Strategic Thinking
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Accountability & Results Orientation
• Adaptability & Resilience
• Communication & Influence
• Client-Centricity
• Analytical Rigor

• Develop and implement a comprehensive ESG strategy aligned with ASA Zambia's mission, corporate goals, and international best practices (International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards, UN SDGs, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards).
• Design, review, and update ESG policies, frameworks, and guidelines, ensuring Board and senior management approval and organizational adoption.
• Integrate ESG considerations into institutional planning, budgeting, product development, and operational processes.
• Benchmark ASA Zambia's ESG performance against industry peers and international microfinance ESG standards.
• Assess and monitor the environmental footprint of ASA's operations, including energy consumption, water use, waste management, and carbon emissions at Head Office and branches.
• Develop and implement environmental management plans to reduce the institution's ecological impact and promote resource efficiency.
• Conduct environmental risk assessments for lending activities, ensuring financed activities do not cause significant environmental harm.
• Lead the institution's Social Performance Management (SPM) initiatives, including client satisfaction surveys, poverty outreach measurement, and social audits.
• Champion the implementation of the Universal Standards for Social and Environmental Performance Management (USSEPM) and Client Protection Principles (CPP).
• Monitor and analyze social performance indicators such as client dropout rates, over-indebtedness, client complaints, and social outcomes.
• Coordinate gender equality and women's economic empowerment programs in alignment with ASA Zambia's client base demographics.
• Develop and oversee community investment and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that create tangible social value.
• Support the Board and Senior Management in upholding high standards of corporate governance, ethical conduct, and transparency.
• Maintain the ESG risk register and ensure ESG risks are integrated into the institution's enterprise risk management (ERM) framework.
• Coordinate ESG due diligence processes for new investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), and donor engagements.
• Support the preparation of board reports, investor disclosures, and regulatory submissions on ESG matters.
• Develop robust ESG data collection systems and impact measurement frameworks to track performance against targets.
• Prepare high-quality ESG reports, sustainability disclosures, and social impact reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate annual social audits and third-party ESG assessments, facilitating external verification processes.
• Produce periodic ESG dashboards and management information reports for senior leadership reviews.
• Contribute to the preparation of annual reports incorporating integrated ESG disclosures.
• Design and facilitate ESG training and awareness program for all levels of staff, including field officers and branch managers.
• Foster a culture of social responsibility, environmental consciousness, and ethical conduct across the institution.
• Develop ESG toolkits and resources to support operational staff in embedding ESG principles in day-to-day activities.
• Serve as the primary liaison for ESG-related engagements with investors, DFIs, regulators, rating agencies, and NGOs.
• Represent ASA Zambia at industry forums, ESG working groups, and relevant national and international platforms.
• Manage relationships with ESG-focused partners and support the mobilization of impact investment and grant funding aligned with ESG objectives

• Deep knowledge of ESG frameworks, standards, and methodologies including GRI Standards, IFC Performance Standards, SASB, TCFD, UN SDGs, and Social Performance Management (SPM) standards.
• Strong understanding of environmental management, climate risk, and sustainable finance principles.
• Proficiency in data analysis
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to interpret complex data and derive actionable insights.
• Ability to conduct literature reviews, benchmarking exercises, and gap analyses to inform policy decisions.
• Experience in designing and conducting surveys, focus group discussions, and social audits.
• Mission Alignment & Social Commitment
• Integrity & Ethical Conduct
• Strategic Thinking
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Accountability & Results Orientation
• Adaptability & Resilience
• Communication & Influence
• Client-Centricity
• Analytical Rigor

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Sustainability, Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• A postgraduate qualification (Master's degree or equivalent) in Sustainability Management, ESG, Development Finance, or a related discipline will be a distinct advantage.
• Professional certifications in ESG, sustainability, or social performance (e.g., GRI Certified Sustainability Professional, UNPRI signatory training, CFA ESG Certificate, or equivalent) will be highly desirable.
• Membership of professional body (e.g., Zambia Institute of Environmental Management, Zambia Institute of Bankers) is an added advantage.