Location Dubai
Job-type Permanent
Salary $Competitive
Reference 19923

Are you looking for an opportunity in a quickly growing investment firm that is active in high-potential emerging markets and has strong sustainability ambitions? Acre is working with a leading emerging markets infrastructure investor to hire an experienced Head of ESG, who will have an important voice in shaping the ESG and broader investment strategy of the firm.

Our client aims to facilitate food security, unlock supply chain bottlenecks, and slow global warming while investing in critical infrastructure and renewables in high-growth markets where the infrastructure funding gap is most profound.

Headquartered in Copenhagen and with offices in Dubai, Singapore, and The Hague, the organisation is a value-adding investor that leverages extensive industrial know-how and operational expertise with private equity competence and experience from investing and operating in emerging market infrastructure.

As the incoming Head of ESG, you will report to one of the partners and closely collaborate with the broader investment team, an already-in-place ESG manager reporting to you, and the sustainability management of the portfolio companies. This is a strategic role, in which you will drive the firm's ESG agenda, as well as influence the broader investment decisions for the funds. The Head of ESG will need to understand both the European ESG landscape and the challenges and opportunities of managing a portfolio in emerging markets.

The role can be based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Singapore and will have significant international responsibilities.

The most important responsibilities of the Head of ESG are:

ESG Strategy and Development:

  • Develop and execute the firm's ESG strategy, framework, goals, and plans.

  • Monitor ESG-related policy and regulatory developments as well as trends in requirements from LPs and capital markets to determine implications for the firm and its portfolio companies, while developing response.

  • Monitor and analyse other PE firms to benchmark performance and identify best practices in the market. Participate in external networks and follow closely ESG developments.

  • Acting as the focal point of contact in liaising with investors and other stakeholders regarding ESG performance and impact.

Portfolio Companies and Fund Operations:

  • Participate in IC meetings, quarterly Portfolio review meetings, Risk and ESG committee and fund operations calls.

  • In close collaboration with the partners, the investment team and external consultants, lead and orchestrate ESG due diligence of investments and di-vestments.

  • Facilitate ESG training for the team and potentially portfolio companies where relevant.

  • In close collaboration with partners and investment teams facilitating ESG improvement plans and KPIs for Portfolio companies.

  • Oversee follow-up on quantitative and qualitative data collection/reporting from the portfolio companies.

ESG Reporting and Investor Relations:

  • Lead the preparation of the annual report to UN PRI, quarterly and annual ESG reports to investors, including the TCFD disclosure and impact assessment using the Joint Impact Model.

  • In close collaboration with Investor Relations, prepare ESG Fundraising material, investor communications and reporting.

The ideal candidate for the Head of ESG position has:

  • A master's degree related to environmental management, sustainable finance, or strongly similar.

  • Strong experience in ESG management within an investment firm or a (development) bank.

  • Proven strategic acumen - the ability to conceptualize ESG topics and how they inform a broader fund strategy.

  • Knowledge of ESG in emerging markets, including experience of applying the IFC Performance Standards - experience of impact measurement and delivery is an advantage.

  • Knowledge of the European and international ESG regulatory framework, including the EU Taxonomy and the SFDR.

  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to work with a multicultural international team.

  • Not afraid to work "on the ground" if needed.

Interested?

If you are interested, please apply on our website, or reach out to Peter Vos (peter.vos@acre.com), the research consultant responsible for this position.