Safeguarding & ESG Manager
AI summary
Acumen is hiring a Safeguarding & ESG Manager based in Nairobi to lead safeguarding across the Green RISE program and support ESG integration across Pioneer, the Academy, and returnable capital funds. The role involves managing safeguarding frameworks, due diligence, incident response, stakeholder capacity building, and reporting to funders. Candidates need at least 8 years of safeguarding, ESG, impact investing, or sustainable finance experience, ideally in Africa.
- Lead safeguarding framework and due diligence across Green RISE
- Support ESG integration across Pioneer, Academy, and returnable capital funds
- Manage grievance mechanisms and survivor-centered incident response
- Minimum 8 years safeguarding, ESG, or impact investing experience required
- Bachelor’s degree in social enterprise, sustainable finance, or international development
AI job guide
Use this guide to check salary signals, requirements, documents, application steps and safety before you apply.
AI salary guide
Not enough public dataNot enough public salary data is available for this exact role. Before applying, prepare to ask about gross pay, benefits, contract length, probation period, transport and any allowances.
Can you qualify for this role?
- Required8+ years of relevant experienceThe job post includes a minimum experience signal.
- RequiredEducation or certification mentioned in the postThe captured text mentions education, a diploma, certificate, or licence.
- PreferredPractical evidence in internship, finance, SafeguardingThe tags and summary point to skills connected with this role.
- RequiredAvailability to work in NairobiThe vacancy is associated with this location.
- UnclearComfort with the Full Time contract termsConfirm hours, duration, probation and benefits at the original source.
Documents to prepare
- Likely requiredUpdated CV
- Role specificCover letter or short employer message
- OptionalProfessional references
- Role specificAcademic or professional certificates
- VerifyID or passport only after verifying the employer
Application tips for this job
- Place your strongest Safeguarding & ESG Manager evidence in the first half of your CV.
- In your cover letter or employer message, connect your experience to Acumen and the role in Nairobi.
- Add concrete examples related to internship, finance, Safeguarding, ideally with measurable outcomes or clear responsibilities.
- Follow the instructions from JobWeb Kenya; avoid sending documents to unofficial contacts or copied links.
- Confirm the deadline, interview location and employer contact before sharing personal documents.
- Prepare a polite question about pay, benefits and contract terms for later interview stages.
Source and safety check
- JobWeb Kenya
- Original source link available
- Application method is clear
- Deadline not specified
- No major risk signal was detected in the captured text.
Never pay for interviews, shortlisting, medical checks, uniforms, or job placement. Confirm every application at the original source before sharing personal documents. Report suspicious listing.
Interview preparation
- What experience makes you a strong fit for this Safeguarding & ESG Manager role in internship, finance?
- How have you handled responsibilities similar to those in this job post?
- Are you available to work in Nairobi under the listed contract or schedule?
- Prepare examples with clear responsibilities, tools used and measurable outcomes.
- Review the source and research Acumen before the interview.
Ask what the first priorities will be in the role and how success will be measured.
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Original source description
Acumen has international and institutional funders that provide both grants and returnable capital for its funds. This role sits at the center of safeguarding across the Green RISE, Pioneer, and Academy programs. Approximately half of the role will focus on managing safeguarding activities across Green RISE — owning the safeguarding framework, leading safeguarding due diligence, and monitoring safeguarding risks. The remaining half will primarily support Pioneer and the Academy, with additional support for Acumen’s returnable capital funds. The Manager will work closely with investment teams, external partner organizations, social enterprises, and other stakeholders, and will report on safeguarding to Acumen’s funding partners.
Accountabilities include:
Managing Acumen’s safeguarding framework across Green RISE, including safeguarding policies, procedures, and standards
Leading safeguarding due diligence on prospective and existing funding recipients, fellows, and partners
Monitoring safeguarding risks across the Green RISE portfolio, and escalating and managing safeguarding incidents as they arise
Owning and managing Green RISE’s grievance and safeguarding reporting mechanisms, including accessible reporting channels, confidential case management, survivor-centered and trauma-informed response and referrals, escalation and investigation coordination, and monitoring implementation across external partner organizations
Supporting Pioneer and the Academy on safeguarding integration, with additional support for Acumen’s returnable capital funds
Supporting Pioneer’s investing strategy, including integrating ESG into pipeline development, investment diligence, and post-investment portfolio support
Supporting Acumen’s returnable capital funds on ESG, including diligence, risk monitoring, and reporting to fund investors and partners
Supporting external partner organizations, investees, and other stakeholders with safeguarding capacity building, training, and resources
Co-developing new safeguarding resources across funds, including trainings and templates
Reporting on safeguarding performance, risks, and incidents to Acumen’s funding partners
Synthesizing safeguarding data and narrative into clear insights, supported by evidence, with recommendations for action
Qualifications
Minimum of 8 years of
Experience
- in safeguarding, ESG, impact investing, or sustainable finance; demonstrated safeguarding
- is essential
- Direct
- designing, managing, or implementing safeguarding frameworks, policies, and due diligence processes, ideally with investees or partners in Africa
- investigating safeguarding incidents with a survivor-centered approach
- Strong understanding of safeguarding standards, gender lens investing, gender equality and social inclusion strategies, risk-management practices, and due diligence, alongside ESG policies, procedures, and metrics across sectors
- Bachelor’s degree with a focus on social enterprise, sustainable finance, or international development.
- Strong ability to take initiative with research and analysis and produce valuable results in conditions of uncertaint
- An investigative mind and an ability to synthesize disparate data to draw conclusions and propose recommendations
- A sense of proportionality in determining practical approaches to
- managing internal teams towards a common objective
- Strong organizational skills and an ability to set up efficient systems for managing data, processes and information
- Strong writing and presentation skills
- Commitment to and enthusiasm for the organization’s mission to change the way the world tackles poverty, and respect for our core values: generosity, accountability, humility, audacity, listening, leadership, integrity, and respect
- Ability to thrive when there is ambiguity, remain cool-headed when there are unexpected obstacles, and withstand the tests of a rapidly changing environment with resilience and resolve
Requirements
- with a focus on substantive value add and beneficiaries
- Strong project management and stakeholder management skills and