Senior Advisor, Environmental & Social Risks (Indo-Pacific) - Toa Payoh
EDC and ESG
EDC is Canada’s export credit agency, offering information, knowledge, and innovative commercial solutions to help Canadian exporters and investors expand their international business. We take on risk so Canadian businesses can take on the world.
When you join our team, you’ll be helping Canadian companies bring their vision, passion, and innovation to the global marketplace. Your knowledge and expertise will support more than 13,000 Canadian companies and their customers in as many as 200 markets worldwide.You’ll work shoulder-to-shoulder with the best and brightest in an inclusive, collaborative environment that fosters professional development and success. And you’ll know that you’re making a difference every day—for companies, for Canada and for the people you work with.
Year after year, EDC has been recognized as a Top 100 and Top Family-Friendly Employer.
As an Export Credit Agency, Export Development Canada (EDC) helps Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. With this goal in mind, EDC aims to increase trade opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region through growing our local presence in Singapore with a variety of locally offered services.
The EDC branch office in Singapore serves as a hub for the Indo-Pacific region. The branch allows us to support our Indo-Pacific and Canadian customers more effectively as they go, grow and succeed internationally.
At EDC, we view Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) as a competitive advantage for ourselves and our customers. Through our deep subject matter expertise, we support organizations of all sizes to evolve their responsible business practices as a means of improving their competitive position.Most of our ESG team resides in Canada, but we have a Singapore team that is expanding to accelerate the impact we can have in the Indo-Pacific region through local expertise and timely support.
Job Overview
The EDC Singapore branch office is seeking a motivated and resourceful person to join our ESG team as a Senior Environmental and Social (E&S) Risk Advisor for the Indo-Pacific region. The ESG team is responsible for helping fulfill EDC’s commitments to conduct business in a responsible and ethical manner and integrate our ESG values into the business we do.The Senior E&S Risk Advisor will be responsible for conducting due diligence on the business we support for our customers doing business or looking to expand into the Indo-Pacific region. Our vision for this role is to be an integral part of the business team to help manage relationships with our customers and partners and guide them on their ESG journey and ensure this journey is reflective of the E&S risks in their business.
The role will be supported through close collaboration with the head office ESG group in Ottawa.
This is an opportunity for an individual who is a resourceful and experienced E&S risk analyst, who can form strong relationships with EDC clients in the Indo-Pac region, EDC business teams and ESG colleagues whether based in Singapore, the Asia Pacific Region or Canada and who thrives in a dynamic environment.
Key Responsibilities- Leads the assessment of EDC transactions, identifying material E&S risks and recommending key mitigants for EDC’s financing and insurance transactions. Applies the Equator Principles, the IFC Performance Standards, the UNGPs and other international standards as relevant.
- Analyzes and determines the adequacy of ESIAs, ESDD reports, monitoring reports, thematic reports (e.g., biodiversity, archeology, human rights), environmental and social action plans (ESAPs), audit reports, consultant terms of reference, request for proposals, E&S-related policies with the aim of managing E&S risks and promoting alignment with good practice and international standards.
- In collaboration with EDC business teams, negotiates with EDC clients the incorporation of environmental and social commitments in financing documentation to prevent, mitigate, or address the environmental and social risks on EDC’s commercial transactions.
- Manages relationships with diverse stakeholders, including internal and external clients, co-lending IFIs, DFIs, and ECAs and consultants, building high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust
- Undertakes site visits, assessing E&S capacity and performance in the field within the Indo-Pacific Region (typical 1-6 days, 1-5 times per year).
- Monitors transaction / project performance over time, identifying and resolving issues of non-compliance with E&S commitments.
- As a subject matter expert, advises management and senior management on a range of E&S issues, including those prevalent in the Indo-Pacific Region, making authoritative technical and professional recommendations to improve the improve the E&S performance of EDC’s transactions.
- Produces and/or edit documents in line with organizational style guidelines and prepares information for consumption by EDC risk management committees, business teams, senior management and/or external clients.
- Provide specialist advice on the interpretation and application of ESRM policies, procedures, programs and/or products to EDC underwriting teams, business teams and others, to resolve complex or contentious queries and issues and enable others to take appropriate actions.
- Maintain and renew a deep knowledge and understanding of the organization's ESRM policies and procedures and of relevant regulatory codes and codes of conduct, and ensure transactions adhere to required standards.
- Develop an understanding of EDC’s mandate, Indo-Pacific strategic focus and financing products, and identify opportunities to advance sustainability agenda with clients in the region.
- Occasionally support EDC on non-transaction Environmental and Social-related interactions with relevant external stakeholders.
- Completion of a degree in environmental or social sciences or in a sub-discipline such as ecology, environmental management, environmental and social risk management, climate change, biodiversity, water resources, international development, sustainable development, human rights, gender studies, occupational health and safety, community relations & resettlement, law (environmental or human rights) or engineering.
- Advanced knowledge in ESIA and/or due diligence principles, frameworks and standards, including the Equator Principles and the IFC Performance Standards.
- Excellent communication and demonstrated ability to manage relationships with customers and stakeholders.
- Minimum of 7-10 years’ experience in ESIA or ESDD in the consulting space or equivalent industry experience within EDC-relevant business sectors (e.g. Extractive Industries, Agrifoods, Advance Manufacturing, Clean Tech and Renewable Energy, Apparel, utilities and Infrastructure).
- Evidence of success in prioritizing and meeting deadlines in an environment that requires managing multiple competing tasks and responsibilities.
- Evidence of ability to discern, distill, and concisely and clearly communicate (written and verbally) key issues in complex business transactions and provide advice based on client needs.
- Fluent in English for oral communication as well as reading and writing.
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of working hours.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across geographies and time zones.
- Expertise in social impact assessment or biodiversity impact assessment.
- Experience working as an independent E&S consultant on behalf of lenders, on behalf of private sector companies in major project development or working at or with international finance institutions (Financial Institutions abiding to Equator Principles, Export Credit Agencies, Development Finance Institutions, Multilateral Development Banks).
- In addition to English, can communicate in one or more local Indo-Pacific language.
- Degree, diploma or training in Business, Finance, or related disciplines.
- ESG Risk Advisor: $113,250- $188,750 plus a performance based bonus
- Senior ESG Risk Advisor: 19: $142,250- $237,500 plus a performance based bonus
- EDC is committed to Fair Employment Practices and preference will be given to a candidate who is able to work legally in Singapore at the time of application (Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents). Candidates must meet the requisite government security screening requirements.
EDC's Commitment to Employment Equity
Export Development Canada (EDC) is dedicated to fostering employment equity and building a diverse workforce. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment that respects people from all cultures, backgrounds, and abilities. At EDC, we nurture a culture of inclusion and belonging where everyone has equal opportunity to grow, develop, succeed, and be their truest selves.
We actively encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
Should you require any accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please let our Recruitment team know
Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the requirements. We thank all applicants' interest in a career at EDC; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that a pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions at this level at EDC.