Impact & ESG Officer - Bengaluru - Credit Saison India

Description

About the Role

The candidate will support the integration of Credit Saison India's ESG & impact management framework in line with the company's lending strategy as well as rapidly evolving regulations and sector standards. The candidate will work with various teams at Credit Saison India to ensure the continuous development and implementation of the ESG & Impact framework, processes, policies and tools through the company's lending operations, assess the eligibility of prospects, identify ESG risks and mitigation measures. A primary focus of this role will be to support the company's efforts to comply with ESG-related reporting and disclosure requirements.

As a member of the Impact & ESG team, the candidate will report to VP – Impact & ESG and support the Saison group's commitment to integrating sustainability into every aspect of its business operations, across its various subsidiaries.

The position is based in Bangalore, India.

What You Will Do (Key Responsibility Areas (KRAs))

• Support the continuous development and implementation of Credit Saison India's Impact & ESG management framework. The candidate will support the development of policies and tools in coordination with the management team to ensure they remain "best-in-class" and compliant with regulatory mandates.
• Support the end-to-end process for Credit Saison India's annual disclosures[MB1] [MB2] . This includes defining process, managing data collection across departments, and ensuring disclosures meet high standards of accuracy and transparency.
• Conduct rigorous ESG risk assessments of the portfolio and contribute to the collection and analysis of data to identify, mitigate, and report on environmental and social risks within various lending verticals.
• Support in managing and tracking Credit Saison India's Impact and ESG performance of portfolio across verticals, by sourcing data from investees, addressing underperforming companies and report accordingly.
• Assist in keeping all internally developed Impact and ESG methodologies up to date and relevant, ensuring alignment with international/sector standards and relevant regulations.
• Facilitate the integration of ESG tools across business teams and provide specialized trainings to ensure business teams understand and apply ESG criteria effectively during the investment process.
• Contribute to the development of reporting/communication framework and materials on portfolio impact, ESG risk/performance, and case studies for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the deployment of impact-related initiatives and projects, in collaboration with Saison International' and Credit Saison India's relevant teams.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

What You Will Bring (Skills & Qualifications)[MB3]

• A degree in finance, sustainability, environmental science, or a related field is preferred.
• 7 years of relevant professional experience in the lending/financial services sector, including fintech, responsible/impact finance, microfinance, SME finance, of which a minimum of 4 years in ESG risks/impact management, preferably in private debt.
• Prior experience in building and implementing environmental and social management systems, developing tools, reporting frameworks and supporting implementation for financial institutions is a must.
• Demonstrated experience in performing ESG due diligences/risk assessments for financial institutions, including in high environmental and social risks industries.
• Knowledge of, and experience with the reporting frameworks like GRI, SASB, BRSR and TCFD is a must.
• Knowledge of, and experience with the IFC Performance Standards, the Operating Principles for Impact Management, and the GIIN IRIS+ metrics will be an added advantage.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Desire to build ESG frameworks within a dynamic, fast-paced environment, with the ability to independently manage and prioritize various deliverables for diverse internal and external stakeholders within a high-performing team.
• Desire to work within a multicultural environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned ESG professional specializing in corporate sustainability reporting, climate risk management, and regulatory disclosure within the financial services sector. They possess a high degree of professional accountability and a strategic mindset for building transparent ESG frameworks in fast-paced, multicultural environments. As a collaborative communicator, they are dedicated to advancing corporate transparency and sustainability standards while navigating the evolving complexities of the financial services landscape.