Position Title: Impact Manager
Reporting To: Senior Director, Impact & ESG
Department: Investment Management
Location: Remote
Firm Overview
WaterEquity is an asset manager exclusively focused on mobilizing private sector investments to accelerate universal access to water and sanitation. WaterEquity invests in financial institutions, enterprises, and infrastructure in emerging markets delivering access to safe water and sanitation to low-income consumers, seeking social and financial returns. Since 2016, WaterEquity has raised more than $430M in committed investment capital across five funds, reaching 5.3 million people with access to safe water or sanitation. Learn more about us at https://waterequity.com/.
Summary
WaterEquity is seeking an Impact Manager to support the scaling of a new impact investment strategy in climate-resilient water infrastructure. This is a new role that will sit on a global investment team and support impact and ESG across the investment lifecycle, with a particular focus on impact due diligence. Candidates should bring expertise in water, climate resilience, and/or infrastructure, and a strong commitment to impact.
The Impact Manager will report to the Senior Director, Impact & ESG.
The ideal candidate will be someone who thrives in a dynamic culture, excels at independent work and proactive communication, and is able to manage diverse projects simultaneously. Because the infrastructure investment strategy recently launched, the position will evolve rapidly as the portfolio grows. The candidate should be comfortable working remotely and with team members in diverse geographic locations.
Job Responsibilities
Provide oversight on impact and ESG for infrastructure investments:
- Develop, update, and improve tools and processes to assess impact of potential infrastructure deals
- Lead on the assessment of watershed- and city-level challenges and the related positive or negative impacts at the individual investment and portfolio levels
- Identify ESG risks, establish action plans where necessary, and lead on monitoring of action plans post-investment
- Build a network of experts and oversee consultants as necessary to support deeper analysis on specific deals, for example, environmental impact assessments, climate risk assessments, or water quality monitoring
- Develop, document, and oversee implementation of volumetric water benefit accounting plans for each investment
- Train and support investment officers to conduct impact and ESG due diligence
- Review deal screenings, term sheets, and due diligence memos to ensure compliance with WaterEquity’s impact and ESG policies
- Provide analysis and content for investor reporting and internal portfolio reporting as needed
Inform investment strategies and pipeline development:
- Identify opportunities to increase impact and to scale solutions to the global water crisis
- Provide guidance on climate and environmental aspects of investment pipeline development
Position WaterEquity as a leader on impact:
- Participate in field-building activities to ensure WaterEquity stays current with new thinking, research, and innovations in impact and ESG, with a particular focus on water, sustainability, and climate resilience
- Contribute to communications and thought leadership including the annual impact report
- Collaborate with sister organization Water.org to advance our shared mission of achieving universal access to water and sanitation
Skills and Qualifications
- A. degree required; advanced degree in related field preferred
- 5+ years of direct experience in water, or strong exposure to the water sector within a role focused on infrastructure, climate resilience, circular economy, nature-based solutions, or similar theme.
- 3+ years of experience at an asset manager, impact investor, development financial institution, corporate sustainability group, rating agency, or other similar firm making investments in emerging markets
- Familiarity with best practices in impact management and ESG, including knowledge of relevant industry standards
- Able to quickly become comfortable with WaterEquity’s existing processes and tools, and operate with a continuous improvement mindset
- Desire for a hands-on role evaluating impact of individual investment opportunities
- Passionate about WaterEquity’s mission and comfortable working at a fast-paced, growing organization with an ambitious vision
- Analytical thinker with strong attention to detail and proven project management skills
- Experience in emerging markets
- Comfort working remotely with a global team, across time zones
Location
Remote – preferred locations include Asia, Europe, and Africa
Physical Requirements
This role involves extended periods of sitting and reaching. This role requires the ability to see, talk, and hear.
Compensation and Benefits
Overall compensation will be commensurate with education and experience and structured to reflect a competitive package for a full-time team member.
No relocation benefits or visa sponsorship will be offered.
How to Apply
Submit a cover letter with salary requirements and a resume to applications@waterequity.com with “Application – Impact Manager” in the subject line. Both documents must be in English. Application deadline: March 29th, 2024
WaterEquity is an equal opportunity employer. At WaterEquity, we are on an intentional journey to determine how we can champion diversity, equity, and inclusion not only within our organization but also within our industry. We are committed to creating a diverse work environment that is characterized by engagement, a sense of connection, and respect for the differences and contributions of all our professionals. WaterEquity recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.
Don’t meet every single requirement? If you are enthusiastic about this role but find that your experience does not perfectly match every qualification listed, we still encourage you to apply. Your unique skills and perspective could make you the ideal candidate for this position.
