BALFIN Group is one of the leading investment groups in the Western Balkans region, embodying international standards with local expertise. Founded in 1993 in Vienna by Samir Mane, today, the Group has a presence in 11 countries, Austria, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Switzerland, Croatia, the Netherlands, USA, and Canada. BALFIN, a diversified group active in real estate, wholesale and retail, banking, asset management, tourism, education, and logistics, employs approximately 5,500 people.

Job Position:             Group Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Officer    

Reports to:                 Balfin Group CEO   

Location:                    Tirana

Overview

The Group Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Officer will be primarily responsible for developing and overseeing environmental, social and corporate governance policies and procedures.

The Group Officer will oversee the development, implementation, and management of the Group ESG Policy and Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) and ensure the goals align with the Group’s vision, mission, values, and business strategy.

Main Responsibilities

• Proactively identify areas where the Group would benefit from additional guidance and identify opportunities for enhancing value on ESG initiatives.
• Create guidelines, checklists, policies, procedures, and other related program content, to ensure compliance with the Group’s ESMS, align with best practice and frameworks, and enable Group companies to carry out and enhance programs.
• Support and guide a team of ESG Champions across the Group’s subsidiaries as appropriate in the execution of their ESG management responsibilities.
• Oversee the E&S governance in coordination with functional heads in the framework of the Group ESG Committee.
• Lead the Group’s initiatives relating to ESG disclosure, sustainability programs, reporting, and research.
• Manage external ESG reporting and disclosure activities and ensures means to increase information relevance and quality with the aim of positively impacting client value, investor standings, brand and employer value proposition stakeholders.
• Support in ensuring that adequate company resources are available and committed to implementing the ESMS, and in doing so, that sufficient resources are available to satisfy the Group’s ongoing ESG management responsibilities.
• Support in providing training to all relevant company staff members relating to ESG management.
• Draft narrative content for sustainability reports, trends reports, and other communications working jointly with the Group Head of Communications and CSR.
• Lead or support qualitative landscape/benchmarking studies on corporate sustainability programs, goals, disclosures, performance, and rankings among companies, with corresponding data collection and analysis for client sustainability reporting, industry research, and data management needs.
• Support collaborative initiatives through project management, technical advisory, and coordinating functions and engagement for meetings, calls, workshops, trainings, presentations, and events.
• Drive internal communication and engagement on ESG-related topics and initiatives and contribute to strategic ESG conversations on behalf of the Group.
• Act as an ESG ambassador for the group, representing their position on ESG to external audiences, engaging at ESG events, industry associations and conferences.
• Perform various administrative tasks as needed.

Competencies and Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree with a focus on one or more of the following: sustainable business, Engineering, Energy, ESG, Sustainability, Finance, Accounting, Business, Management or other technical / science-based education.
• 7 years’ work experience in sustainability consulting (including sustainability strategy, reporting and impact measurement).
• At least 3 years of experience conducting assurance of sustainability/ESG/financial reports in audit firms or similar organizations and/or supporting companies to improve ESG reporting internal control environments.
• Strong communications, writing (in English), analytical research, and organizational skills.
• Proactivity, results-orientation, creativity and flexibility.
• Solid understanding of ESG reporting and disclosure requirements (legal/standards) and trends. Knowledge of ESG metrics and protocols, in particular environmental/carbon, H&S and ideally sustainable KPIs.
• Familiarity of global, regional and local ESG/Sustainability standards for example but not limited to GRI, SASB, TCFD. etc.
• E&S Risk Management Systems (ESMS) and a general understanding of ISO certifications (14001, 18001).
• Proven experience of successfully preparing ESG reports.
• Working experience in managing ESG data collection and reporting processes. Good attention to quality and details and solid analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and an ability to work with senior stakeholders and leaders, build rapport across functional boundaries as well as people of diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent project management skills and an ability to manage multiple complex projects and diverse stakeholders.
• Apply business acumen to see the big picture, understand business issues, and exhibit financial stewardship.
• Inspire change by challenging the status quo, generating support, and executing improvement projects to achieve business outcomes.

What We Offer

• An attractive benefit package, including fair remuneration based on merit and performance evaluation.
• An exceptional opportunity to develop your skills and growth within BALFIN Group.
• Extra Leave days
• Opportunity for remote work
• Recognition Rewards
• Flexible working hours

Application Procedure: To apply for this position, please submit a CV in this LINK by 27^th February 2025. 

* All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality according to the law No. 9887 set by the Albanian Parliament for the “Protection of Personal Data”. Only the selected candidates will be notified.