Sustainability Officer

ImpactAlpha Inc.; Netherlands; Hybrid; EUR 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working with 3 days in office

Pension scheme

31 holidays per year

13th month

8% holiday allowance

Remote work abroad up to 60 days

Job summary

FMO in the Netherlands seeks a Sustainability Officer to join the Sustainability Standards Integration team. You will bridge ESG strategy with execution, translating standards into practical investment guidelines and strengthening ESG integration across portfolios.

You will work closely with investment teams and external partners to embed ESG considerations into decisions, manage ESG risk, and support strategic steering in a multidisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Sustainability, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, Human Rights, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in sustainable finance, development finance, impact investing, or a related field.
• Experience conducting ESG due diligence and monitoring, preferably in client-facing environments.
• Strong knowledge of international ESG standards and frameworks (IFC Performance Standards, UNGPs, OECD Guidelines).
• Experience developing ESG tools, guidelines, and processes.
• Ability to translate complex topics into practical solutions.
• Strong analytical skills with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to balance attention to detail with strategic thinking.
• Risk-based thinking and sound judgement.
• Curiosity, initiative, and drive to improve and innovate.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Team player in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Affinity with FMO’s mission and values.
• Current residency in the Netherlands (required for interview).

Responsibilities

• Translate sustainability standards and regulatory requirements into ESG policies, frameworks, and investment criteria.
• Strengthen ESG impact risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring throughout the investment process.
• Support ESG reporting and internal and external sustainability narratives.
• Contribute to sound ESG risk management practices.
• Analyse portfolio data to identify ESG trends, priorities, and improvement opportunities.
• Link ESG priorities to value creation initiatives and evaluation findings.
• Identify and facilitate innovative ESG solutions with development finance institutions and other stakeholders.
• Develop and implement pragmatic and risk-based ESG policies, tools, and processes.
• Strengthen governance and accountability for ESG and regulatory due diligence.
• Deliver training and awareness initiatives that support ESG integration across FMO.
• Advise investment and sector teams on complex transactions and ESG challenges.
• Support ESG+ sector teams with due diligence and portfolio monitoring on an ad hoc basis.

Skills

ESG risk management

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

English communication

Education

Master's degree in Sustainability or related field

Job description

About FMO

FMO (Nederlandse Ontwikkelings Financierings Maatschappij N.V.) is a development bank established by the Dutch government that provides financing and expertise to entrepreneurial initiatives across the globe. The organization operates with a mission to deliver economic, social, and environmental development, believing in its contribution to a better world through respect within teams and organizational values. FMO is guided by four core values: Diversity, Integrity, Making the Difference, and Quality. These values form the foundation of the organization’s strong company culture, fostering an environment where teams work together to create positive impact on a global scale. The organization operates across multiple sectors including agribusiness, food, forestry, energy, financial institutions, private equity, and corporate governance. The company operates an ESG+ department consisting of five specialized teams that work collaboratively to deliver environmental, social, and governance impacts across FMO’s investment portfolio. FMO’s approach integrates sustainability considerations into all aspects of its investment decisions and processes, reflecting the organization’s commitment to responsible finance and development impact.

About this Role

FMO is seeking a Sustainability Professional to join the Sustainability Standards Integration team. This role positions you between FMO’s investment teams and internal and external stakeholders, where you will link ESG strategy with ESG execution and strengthen ESG integration across investments and processes. As Sustainability Officer, you will translate sustainability standards and regulations into practical solutions, support ESG risk management and strategic steering, and advise on complex sustainability challenges. Working closely with investment teams and external partners, you will help ensure that ESG considerations are embedded in investment decisions and contribute to FMO’s development impact. The position offers significant opportunity for personal development and growth within a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment. Your work will span multiple strategic areas: strengthening ESG impact risk management across the investment process, supporting strategic steering on ESG through portfolio analysis and stakeholder engagement, developing an efficient ESG operating model, and providing deal-related support to investment teams on complex transactions.

Responsibilities

• Translate sustainability standards and regulatory requirements into ESG policies, frameworks, and investment criteria
• Strengthen ESG impact risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring throughout the investment process
• Support ESG reporting and internal and external sustainability narratives
• Contribute to sound ESG risk management practices
• Analyse portfolio data to identify ESG trends, priorities, and improvement opportunities
• Link ESG priorities to value creation initiatives and evaluation findings
• Identify and facilitate innovative ESG solutionsBuild and strengthen partnerships with Development Finance Institutions, Multilateral Development Banks, and other stakeholders
• Develop and implement pragmatic and risk-based ESG policies, tools, and processes
• Strengthen governance and accountability for ESG and regulatory due diligence
• Deliver training and awareness initiatives that support ESG integration across FMO
• Advise investment and sector teams on complex transactions and ESG challenges
• Support ESG+ sector teams with due diligence and portfolio monitoring on an ad hoc basis

Requirements

• Master's degree in Sustainability, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, Human Rights, or a related field
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in sustainable finance, development finance, impact investing, or a related field
• Experience conducting ESG due diligence and monitoring, preferably in client-facing environments
• Strong knowledge of international ESG standards and frameworks, including IFC Performance Standards, UNGPs, and OECD Guidelines
• Experience developing ESG tools, guidelines, and processes
• Ability to translate complex topics into practical solutions
• Strong analytical skills combined with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset
• Ability to balance attention to detail with strategic thinking
• Risk-based thinking and sound judgement
• Curiosity, initiative, and a drive to improve and innovate
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal
• Team player who thrives in a dynamic and multidisciplinary environment
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Affinity with FMO’s mission and values
• Current residency in the Netherlands (required to be considered for an interview)

Benefits

• Gross yearly salary ranging from €75,000 to €85,000 based on 40 hours per week, including 8% holiday allowance and 13th month
• 40-hour work week
• Pension scheme, partly paid by FMO
• 31 holidays per year
• Hybrid way of working with at least 3 days in the office required
• Remote working abroad permitted for maximum 60 days in a rolling period of 12 months
• Opportunity for personal development and growth
• Access to secondary benefits package