Sustainability Intern at Redefine Properties

Purpose of the job

• The Internship programme offers exposure to the integration of ESG principles within property investments, asset management and reporting frameworks, while developing understanding of sustainability within a REIT.
• The purpose of the role is to provide administrative and research support through data collection, reporting and sustainability project coordination deliverables aligned with the ESG strategy. There will also be a great focus of responsibilities towards the business’ Green Building objectives, underpinned by strong integration and collaboration with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA).
• The positions will be available in Johannesburg and Cape Town. 

Key Performance Areas

Data collection and management

• Assisting in gathering and consolidating ESG-related information from both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensuring the integrity of the information on ESG reporting platform/s through data validation processes.

 Research and benchmarking

• Conducting desktop research on ESG trends, regulatory updates and peer benchmarking
• Researching and gathering information to inform the documentation for Green Building recertification process.
• Identifying opportunities for improvement across all portfolios and recommend adjustments that need to be made to achieve and/or improve building performance areas which will allow for, amongst others, Green Building certification credits improvement.

 Reporting support

• Providing support for ESG-related reporting requirements.
• Assisting in the collation of relevant information to inform ESG disclosure frameworks.

 Project support

• Assisting in the coordination of ESG initiatives, which may include, viz, energy and water efficiency projects, waste reduction initiatives, green building certification, and social investment activities.
• Providing administrative support for ESG-related projects.
• Managing project timelines and deliverables.

 General administrative tasks

• Organizing and maintaining ESG documentation across the relevant platforms.
• Assisting in the scheduling of meetings, preparing of minutes and monitoring action trackers.
• Assisting with capturing of payments and working with the accounts department to ensure that payments are processed as per standard operating procedures.

 Stakeholder engagement

• Contributing to ESG awareness communication plans and messaging across various stakeholder groups
• Liaising with internal teams as either creating awareness and/or following up on project updates.

 Experience and Qualifications

• Relevant building environment and/or environmental tertiary qualification is essential.
• Professional accreditation would be desirable.
• ESG experience would be desirable

 Skills

• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• Good data management skills
• Data analysis skills
• Research skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Report writing skills

 Knowledge

• Basic understanding of ESG concepts and their relevance to the real estate sector.
• Familiarity with sustainability reporting frameworks and Standards (e.g. CSRD, ISSB, GRESB, GRI, ).
• Interest in climate change, social impact, and governance in a Real Estate Investment Trust

 Learning opportunities

• Successful completion of all company-identified academic and/or short courses
• Practical exposure to ESG data management and reporting in a REIT
• Insight into how ESG factors are integrated into property investment and asset management.
• Experience working on sustainability initiatives in the built environment.
• Networking opportunities with ESG, property, and finance professionals