About Odyssey
Odyssey is a climate fintech company transforming distributed energy globally. Our mission is to radically accelerate investment in distributed energy in growth markets, from Africa to India and Latin America. We have enormous traction ($2.3B capital on the platform), a collaborative, motivated and mission-driven team, and top investors backing us. We’re scaling quickly and ready to hire a head of Environmental and Social Officer to help us implement rigorous E&S processes into our operations.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking an experienced Environmental and Social (E&S) Officer to support our renewable energy financing programs. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and implementing E&S policies, conducting due diligence, and overseeing the E&S performance of distributed solar projects across Nigeria and eventually other markets as well.
We are looking for candidates with a solid background in environmental and social impact assessment, preferably within the solar energy sector in Nigeria. The E&S Officer will collaborate closely with investment teams to ensure that all projects meet the highest E&S standards and contribute positively to sustainable development goals.
Responsibilities
The Environmental and Social Officer will:
Develop and update an Environmental and Social (E&S) framework tailored to the company's renewable energy projects, drawing on internal and external stakeholder inputs.
Conduct E&S due diligence for all investment opportunities, identifying gaps in compliance and areas for improvement.
Contribute to the evaluation of investment proposals through presentations, reports, and participation in investment committee meetings.
Ensure that E&S requirements, including specific action plans, are integrated into legal agreements with project partners.
Post-investment, support investees in improving their E&S management systems and ensuring the effective implementation of agreed action plans.
Monitor ongoing compliance with E&S policies and regularly assess the performance of projects against established benchmarks.
Provide training to internal teams and external partners on E&S standards and best practices.
Work on ad hoc projects, including external communications on E&S achievements, drafting annual reports, and creating case studies that highlight E&S value additions.
Skills/Qualifications
Advanced degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in a relevant field, such as environmental engineering, social studies, development studies, or development finance.
At least three years of experience in a related field, preferably in the solar energy sector, E&S consulting, or development finance.
Demonstrated experience with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards and World Bank Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines.
Familiarity with the specific E&S challenges facing the solar energy sector in Nigeria.
Strong report writing and oral communication skills, with proficiency in PowerPoint and the ability to present complex information concisely.
Ability to travel for work, sometimes on short notice.
Personal skills
Strong client management and relationship-building abilities.
High level of personal accountability, attention to detail, and sound judgment.
Ability to independently manage and prioritize a diverse workload, ensuring timely delivery for a range of stakeholders.
Experience working within geographically dispersed teams.
Job Location
Nigeria is highly preferred.
