Sustainability Specialist (Loan Book)

Africa Career Desk; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Job summary

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) seeks a Sustainability Specialist (Loan Book) to lead ESG integration across investment activities, applying safeguard standards and robust reporting within the investment function in Midrand.

You will appraise, structure, and monitor transactions for ESG alignment, develop an Impact Framework, and produce internal and external ESG reports, trainings, and partnerships with investors and development partners.

Qualifications

• Master's level degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Development Studies, Economics, Finance, or Engineering
• Minimum 8 years of experience preparing and appraising investment projects with ESG risks
• Minimum 4 years of experience assessing climate-related risks at transaction level
• Extensive experience in the infrastructure sector
• Working knowledge of IFC Performance Standards, the Equator Principles, and national environmental legislation
• Understanding of corporate governance, ESG principles, and responsible investing frameworks
• Knowledge of ESG reporting frameworks including TCFD and GHG Protocol/carbon footprinting

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sustainability policies aligned with international best practice and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Conduct environmental and social due diligence for investments and present ESG findings to decision-making committees
• Integrate gender, climate resilience, and social inclusion considerations into project appraisals
• Monitor portfolio ESG compliance and recommend corrective actions to ensure ongoing alignment
• Contribute to the development of the Bank's Impact Framework and track environmental, social, and governance outcomes
• Produce ESG and impact reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Design and deliver ESG training programmes and facilitate knowledge-sharing initiatives
• Build partnerships with investors, lenders, and development partners, and represent the Bank in technical forums and sustainability networks
• Support clients with ESG advisory services and structure sustainable finance solutions
• Monitor portfolio-level ESG risks and performance metrics against international reporting frameworks

Job description

Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Midrand, South Africa

• Southern Africa

Role type

Climate & Impact Investing

Experience

Senior

Deadline

2 Sep 2026

Summary

Sustainable-finance role integrating ESG and development-impact considerations across DBSA's loan book, including investment appraisal, structuring, monitoring and sustainable-finance instruments.

About The Role

The Sustainability Specialist (Loan Book) leads the integration and implementation of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across the Development Bank of Southern Africa's investment activities, applying robust safeguard policies aligned with international best practice. The role sits within the investment/sustainability function and involves appraising, structuring, and monitoring transactions for alignment with the Bank's Environmental and Social Safeguard Standards (ESSS) and international ESG reporting frameworks. DBSA is a development finance institution focused on infrastructure investment across Southern Africa and the broader continent.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement sustainability policies aligned with international best practice and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Conduct environmental and social due diligence for investments and present ESG findings to decision-making committees
• Integrate gender, climate resilience, and social inclusion considerations into project appraisals
• Monitor portfolio ESG compliance and recommend corrective actions to ensure ongoing alignment
• Contribute to the development of the Bank's Impact Framework and track environmental, social, and governance outcomes
• Produce ESG and impact reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Design and deliver ESG training programmes and facilitate knowledge-sharing initiatives
• Build partnerships with investors, lenders, and development partners, and represent the Bank in technical forums and sustainability networks
• Support clients with ESG advisory services and structure sustainable finance solutions
• Monitor portfolio-level ESG risks and performance metrics against international reporting frameworks

Key requirements

• Postgraduate degree (Master's level) in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Development Studies, Economics, Finance, or Engineering
• Minimum 8 years of experience preparing and appraising investment projects, identifying environmental, social, and governance risks
• Minimum 4 years of experience assessing climate-related risks at transaction level
• Extensive experience in the infrastructure sector
• Working knowledge of IFC Performance Standards, the Equator Principles, and national environmental legislation
• Understanding of corporate governance, ESG principles, and responsible investing frameworks
• Knowledge of ESG reporting frameworks including TCFD and GHG Protocol/carbon footprinting

Nice to have

• Professional registration with a relevant professional body
• Professional certifications in sustainability or ESG

Permanent position.

Reference number: DBS260423-2.

Application deadline: 2 September 2026.

Location: Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa.