Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Analyst (Sustainability) at Santam Insurance

What will you do?

• The Strategy and Sustainability Unit has a position available for an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Analyst (Sustainability). This position will be based in Cape Town, Tygervalley and will report to the Head: Group Strategy and Sustainability Unit (including ESG).
• To support the Strategy and Sustainability Unit (SU) in the analysis, research and project management of key ESG generally called “corporate sustainability” issues and their implications on the Santam Group’s business activities. In this role you also identify and analyse the opportunities and risks that climate change and biodiversity pose to Santam Group. Building on this, you help to integrate regulatory requirements and the needs of society into our business strategy and operational activities. 
• The incumbent should be able to engage credibly with EXCO and senior levels in Santam and externally. The outputs generated by the incumbent will be used to inform senior manager and EXCO decisions and will be utilised for Social, Ethics and Sustainability Committee of the Board reporting requirements as well as in public reports and on our website as appropriate. 
• The incumbent should be able to critically assess complex data to arrive at innovative and cutting edge insights for Santam, the industry as well as be able to work with other experts  on topics and projects within Santam and outside Santam whilst taking ownership for the project management of these projects. 

What will make you successful in this role?

Assess and research key ESG / sustainability issues for the Group:
Focus on how Santam underwrites & manages the business for ESG / Climate Risk Exposure

• Ensure an understanding of the Santam sustainability philosophy & approach as well as the Santam strategy & business
• Build a detailed understanding of ESG and implications for the business & industry
• Conduct innovative and comprehensive research on ESG and underwriting implications for Santam and draft issue and position papers 
• Support selected ESG projects depending on background and expertise 
• Align and collaborate with internal functions such as risk consulting, corporate communication, risk management and underwriting & other functions
• Represent Santam in internal working groups 
• Support the further development and application of ESG guidelines for underwriting & other functions
• Regularly screen and identify new and emerging ESG issues for Santam
• Make recommendations to the Head of the department

Sustainability reporting:

• Manage overall ESG disclosure approach and delivery
• Work closely and collaborate with Business and Support Unit functions to compile a group level report on ESG matters to the Social, Ethics and Sustainability committee of the Board 
• Maintain sustainable processes and systems to gather reliable data from various sources
• Develop processes and disclosure controls to ensure completeness and accuracy of ESG reporting
• Implement structures in accordance with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) as well as- looking to the future e.g. Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)
• Carbon, Water & Waste Footprint management of Santam:
  1. Oversee that carbon footprint is completed on time annually
  2. Represent Santam at the Energy Efficiency Forum monthly meetings
  3. Ensure data is communicated where needed (internally and gathered for external reporting)
• Submit the relevant ESG/Sustainability returns on time, accurately and completely:
  1. Sanlam CDP 
  2. ClimateWise 
  3. Other returns as appropriate 
• Lead on FTSE Russell ESG and PSI reporting efforts
• Support the SU head and team to ensure the required ESG/sustainability information is included in the Integrated Report
• Support the SU head and Communications team to ensure that the website remains current with respect to ESG/sustainability information

Support, monitor and track the implementation of strategic ESG initiatives and the Santam sustainability philosophy & approach:

• Identify opportunities to drive sustainability approach and support plans to activate strategy with subsidiary / business owners buy-in
• Monitor and track progress of ESG/sustainability scorecard and ensure its included in the Group Performance Dashboard
• Cultivating a community of ESG / sustainability practice within the Santam Group
• Entrench a shared value / partnership approach in engagements with stakeholders (in and external)

Ensure Strategy Unit Team has access to the most up to date ESG information:

• Keep up to date on trends and developments in the business and the external ESG/sustainability arena
• Keep up to date on legislative and other contextual changes
• Analyse and interpret the impact of trends and developments for the Santam group
• Make recommendations to Head of department

Qualification and Experience

• Masters Degree (sustainability / sustainable development preferred) 
• 2 – 3 year’s experience within a sustainability environment

Skills

• Research and data gathering skills
• Ability to analyse complex data
• Developing and synthesising innovative insights / recommendations
• Self managed and self motivated
• Relationship building skills
• High level communication skills (verbal and written)
• High level computer literacy especially MS PowerPoint / reporting 
• Problem solving skills
• Logical / rational thinker
• Understanding of significance and impact of research implications for leadership decisions
• Robust with grit and determination to succeed
• Planning and organising skills 
• Attention to detail
• Analytical skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Problem solving
• Time management