Head of Sustainability - Egypt

Key Responsibilities

1. Define and lead the organization’s sustainability strategy aligned with business objectives and ESG priorities.
2. Integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into corporate strategy, operations, and decision-making.
3. Set, track, and report on sustainability goals and KPIs (e.g., carbon reduction, resource efficiency, social impact).
4. Ensure compliance with local and international sustainability regulations, standards, and frameworks.
5. Lead sustainability reporting, disclosures, and assurance processes (e.g., ESG reports, annual reports).
6. Partner with executive leadership to embed sustainability across all business units and functions.
7. Drive initiatives related to climate action, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing.
8. Engage key stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, regulators, investors, and community partners.
9. Identify sustainability risks and opportunities, integrating them into enterprise risk management.
10. Build and lead a high-performing sustainability team and promote a culture of sustainability across the organization.
     

Experience & Qualification Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
2. 15+ years of progressive experience in sustainability, ESG, environmental management, or corporate responsibility.
3. Proven experience developing and executing enterprise-wide sustainability or ESG strategies.
4. Strong knowledge of sustainability frameworks, standards, and reporting requirements (e.g., ESG metrics, carbon accounting).
5. Demonstrated leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
6. Experience working with regulators, investors, and external partners on sustainability-related matters.
7. Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights and business value.
8. Track record of leading sustainability transformation or change management initiatives.
9. Excellent communication and presentation skills, including executive and board-level reporting.
10. Experience in the relevant industry or regional market is a strong advantage.

Strategy Development & Implementation:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive sustainability strategy for the Egypt branch aligned with the bank’s global sustainability framework, Egypt’s vision 2030 and the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) sustainable finance initiatives.
• Identify key sustainability priorities and set measurable targets for environmental and social impact reduction, focusing on areas relevant to Egypt’s development challenges.
• Translate the ESG & sustainability strategy into actionable plans, initiatives, and projects across various business units within the branch.

ESG Integration 

• Lead the integration of ESG factors into the bank’s risk management, lending, investment & operational process in Egypt.
• Develop & implement ESG due diligence procedures for new & existing clients & projects ensuring compliance with Egyptian environmental & social regulations Work with Risk team in Egypt & business units to identify & mitigate ESG risk subclasses & capitalize on ESG opportunities associated with their activities in the Egyptian market.

Sustainable Finance Leadership

• Lead the development & promotion of sustainable finance products & services tailored to the Egyptian market, such as green loans, sustainability-linked loans, social bonds & microfinance initiatives.
• Identify, & pursue opportunities to finance projects that contribute to environmental & social sustainability in Egypt, focusing on key sectors such as renewable energy, water management, sustainable agriculture & green buildings.
• Build relationships with clients & investors in Egypt interested in sustainable finance.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build & maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in Egypt, including the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), government agencies, clients, investors, NGOs, community organizations & industry association.
• Represent the bank at industry events & conferences related to sustainability & sustainable finance in Egypt.
• Communicate the bank’s sustainability performance & initiatives to stakeholders in Egypt through various channels, including reports, presentations & online platforms.

Reporting & Disclosures:

• Oversee the collection, analysis & reporting of ESG & Sustainability data to track progress against sustainability targets in Egypt.
• Ensure compliance with relevant sustainability reporting frameworks & regulations, such as GRI, SASB, TCFD & local Egyptian regulations.
• Prepare & submit sustainability reports to the home office, the CBE & other stakeholders in Egypt.

Risk Management:

• Identify, assess & manage ESG risk subclasses within the branch’s operations & portfolio in Egypt.
• Develop & implement policies & procedures to mitigate ESG risks & ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
• Collaborate with the risk management team in Egypt to integrate ESG factors into the bank’s overall risk framework in Egypt.

Awareness & Training:

• Promote sustainability awareness & engagement among employees in Egypt through training programs, workshops & communication campaigns.
• Build a culture of sustainability within the branch & encourage employees to adopt sustainable practices in their daily work.
• Design and implement awareness programmes for employees and other stakeholders which include e-learning
• Coordinate and support internal business stakeholders in the implementation of sustainability initiatives. Prepare documentation required for project funding for various environmental initiatives including proposals and grant applications
• Develop methodologies, procedures to assess, evaluate and monitor the viability or success of sustainability initiatives and programs.
• Research on emerging environmental sustainability issues, concerns, or stakeholder interests and advise the business appropriately. Maintains current working knowledge of, and ensures compliance with, all applicable environmental laws and regulations
• Prepare communication plans for the Group`s sustainability initiatives and strategies in line with international best practices (including campaigns) and respond to surveys
• Manage the sustainability reporting process for annual report and integrated reporting.
• Implement and manage the bank’s sustainability database and knowledge management.
• Review sustainability program objectives, progress, or status to ensure compliance with policies, standards, regulations, or laws.
• Identify and coordinate sustainability partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
• Represent the bank in appropriate forums for purposes of learning, exposure and sharing.
• Identify and evaluate pilot projects or programs to enhance the Group`s sustainability agenda which will identify opportunities for green initiatives.
• Assess and evaluate feasible international and regional frameworks and principles for sign up to aid Group`s sustainability positioning.
• Performs other related duties as required

Innovation & Collaboration

• Stay abreast of emerging trends & best practices in sustainability & sustainable finance, particularly in the contest of the Egyptian market.
• Identify & evaluate new technologies & solutions that can improve the bank’s sustainability performance in Egypt.
• Collaborate with other banks & organizations in Egypt to promote sustainability in the financial sector.

Policy & Governance:

• Develop & implement sustainability policies & procedures for the Egypt branch.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable local & international sustainability-related laws & regulations.
• Support the development of internal governance structures to oversee sustainability initiatives.

Budget Management:

•  Develop & mange the sustainability budget for the Egypt branch.
• Monitor expenditures & ensure that resources are allocated effectively to achieve sustainability goals.

To be considered for the role, the successful applicant should have the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences or a Related Field is preferable.
• Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences or a Related Sustainability Field will be added advantage.
• At least 5 years’ experience in managing Environmental or Sustainability Programmes.
• Professional Qualification in a Sustainability Related Course or Certification in Environmental & Social Governance is preferred.
• Prior experience of conceptualizing / managing / implementing / monitoring CSR projects preferable
• Experience in developing and implementing systems to measure progress of sustainability initiatives
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage people/teams and diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent writing & presentation skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as environmental science, sustainability, finance, economics or business administration. Master’s degree preferred.
• [Number] years of experience in sustainability, ESG, sustainable finance or corporate social responsibility, preferably in financial services industry.
• Deep understanding of sustainability issues, trends & best practices, particularly in the context of developing countries like Egypt.
• Strong knowledge of ESG frameworks, reporting standards & regulations.
• Experience in developing & implementing sustainability strategies & initiatives
• Proven track record of integrating ESG factors into business process & decision making.
• Experience in sustainable finance, including green loans, sustainability linked loans & social bonds.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal & stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong analytical & problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently & as part of team.
• Fluency in English & Arabic is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of the Egyptian environmental & social context, regulatory landscape & financial market.
• Experience working with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) or other Egyptian government agencies is a plus.

• Skills: 

• Strategic thinking

• Leadership

•  Communication (written & verbal in both English & Arabic if possible)

• Stakeholder management (particularly in Egyptian context)

• Project management

• Data analysis

• Problem solving

• Influencing & negotiation

• Technical expertise in ESG & sustainable finance

• Knowledge of relevant regulations& reporting frameworks (including Egyptian regulations)