Equity Bank Limited (The “Bank”) is incorporated, registered under the Kenyan Companies Act Cap 486 and domiciled in Kenya. The address of the Bank’s registered office is 9th Floor, Equity Centre, P.O. Box 75104 – 00200 Nairobi.

Job Purpose:

Equity Group Foundation (EGF) is a corporate foundation of Equity Group Holdings Plc. It was created in 2008 to undertake the social investment work of the bank. EGF aims to transform the lives and livelihoods of the people of Africa socially and economically by equipping them, capacity building and linking them to modern, inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities. It focuses on seven pillars under the critical thematic areas of a) Energy, Environment & Climate Change, b) Education & Leadership Development, c) Food & Agriculture, d) Enterprise Development & Financial Inclusion, e) Health, f) Innovation and g) Social Protection. EGF operates in all the countries where Equity Group has a presence i.e., Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and DRC.

Equity is implementing a 3- year project funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) targeting start-up, early stage and existing SMEs in Blue Economy, Marine Litter, and Renewable Energy and Clean Cooking sectors. To increase the chances of transitioning the target businesses to maturity, the project will collaborate with selected entrepreneurs to reach end-users and implement their climate-resilient innovations and technologies. The project will tailor its initiatives to the needs of each onboarded startup, early-stage, or established business, supporting end-users in accessing innovative and climate-adaptive technologies.

Reporting to the Associate Director Energy, Environment and Climate Change Equity Group Foundation, the Project Officer will provide technical support in Blue Economy, Marine Litter and Renewable Energy under a program titled ‘Financing Innovation N Entrepreneurship (FINE) program implemented through a Partnership of Equity Group Foundation, Equity Bank and NORAD. The program aims to tap the potential offered by the Blue Economy, Marine Litter, and renewable energy (Thematic areas) sectors for entrepreneurship, employment, and sustainable aquatic foods.

 Roles and Responsibilities:

• Identify, mobilize, and conduct sensitization forums of the project target beneficiaries, partners, and value chain actors in the project thematic areas.
• Enroll the targeted beneficiaries into the project in accordance with the project-set target and timelines.
• Introduce the project beneficiaries to Equity Bank for them to learn and access relevant financial services based on their financial needs.
• Reporting on the various activities relevant to the program focusing on client engagement and impact reported or identified. Track progress on a weekly basis and provide routine updates as agreed with the supervisor.
• Deliver training programs on Financial Education, aquatic food systems, biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.
• Enhance access to finance for entrepreneurs and innovators to scale up pipeline of bankable projects in the project thematic areas.
• Improve entrepreneurial and financial management capabilities of targeted entrepreneurs.
• Improve sustainable food production (including aquatic foods) in underserved markets, through adoption of climate adaptive technologies, and solutions.
• Increase access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern renewable energy solutions.
• Organize, coordinate, and execute project activities as per the project work plan and targets (e.g., field days, exchange visits, value chain actors’ collaboration meetings, etc.)
• Work with the monitoring and evaluation team to collect quality project data as required at all stages of project life.
• Provide business advisory and financial analysis support to businesses in the project thematic areas.
• Nurture businesses through market feasibility studies, product development, customer acquisition and revenue generation support

Qualifications

• A university degree in Aquaculture, Fisheries, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Renewable Energy, Waste Management, or a related degree from a recognized University.
• At least 3 years’ experience in Blue Economy, Marine Litte and /or Renewable Energy.
• Ability to identify, evaluate and work to implement interventions to solve the challenges.
• Have a good understanding of marine ecosystems, fisheries management, waste management, renewable energy, and sustainable development principles.
• Good knowledge of financial products and services suitable for MSMEs.
• Excellent communication skills, both writing and verbal.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Must be flexible to work in different regions across the Country.