ESG and Impact Lead

Job Title: ESG and Impact Lead

Department: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

Location: Gurgaon

Reporting To: Chief Operating officer (COO)

Job Summary:

The ESG Lead will play a pivotal role in integrating sustainability and ESG principles into the company’s carbon credit project development activities and investor reporting. This position requires expertise in ESG frameworks, carbon credit standards and methodologies (VCS,CCB and similar methodologies), stakeholder engagement, Grievance redressal and sustainable development goals (SDGs), ensuring that projects align with regulatory standards and deliver measurable environmental and social impact.

Key Responsibilities:

1. ESG Strategy and Integration:

• Develop and implement ESG strategies across carbon credit projects.
• Ensure projects comply with Carbon credits standards and methodologies (VCS, CCB and similar methodologies) and global ESG standards such as GRI, SASB, TCFD, or SDGs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to embed ESG goals in project lifecycles.
• Design ESG training programs for employees and project stakeholders

2. Environmental Impact Management:

• Oversee the assessment and monitoring of project-related environmental impacts.
• Develop carbon accounting methodologies and ensure accuracy in emissions reporting.
• Promote biodiversity conservation and resource efficiency in project design.
• Introduce climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance project resilience against climate risks

3. Social Responsibility and Community Engagement:

• Lead stakeholder engagement with local communities, ensuring projects deliver tangible social benefits.
• Establish a grievance redressal mechanism that ensures community concerns are addressed transparently and effectively
• Develop initiatives that align with community needs, such as employment generation, health programs, or education.
• Measure and communicate the socio-economic upliftment achieved through the projects.
• Establish ESG governance and oversight protocols for 100+ implementation partners and ensure alignment with Varaha's ESG principles across 100,000+ smallholder farmers

4. Governance and Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to national and international regulations related to carbon credit projects.
• Manage ESG-related risks and implement robust governance frameworks.
• Conduct due diligence and internal audits on project progress
• Work closely with legal and compliance teams to address emerging ESG regulations
• Lead ESG due diligence for large DFI and impact investor transactions, ensuring full compliance with lender-specific ESG frameworks and risk mitigation protocols
• Develop a comprehensive ESG risk management framework for carbon credit projects, focusing on environmental, social, and reputational risks associated with DFI-funded activities

5. ESG Reporting and Disclosure:

• Prepare ESG reports for stakeholders, investors, and regulatory authorities.
• Track performance metrics and improve transparency in reporting.
• Contribute to the development of impact assessments and sustainability reports.
• Create and manage ESG dashboards, reporting templates, and investor disclosure reports for DFIs and impact investors, ensuring timely, transparent, and auditable submissions

6. Innovation and Best Practices:

• Stay updated on emerging ESG trends, technologies, and frameworks.
• Identify opportunities for innovation to enhance the sustainability and scalability of projects.
• Collaborate with external partners, NGOs, and policymakers to advocate for climate solutions.
• Actively participate in global forums and discussions to position Varaha as a thought leader in climate-tech and ESG innovation.
• Continuously refine ESG policies, processes, and tools in collaboration with partners, ensuring operational excellence across 100+ implementation partners and 100,000+ smallholder farmers

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Business Administration, or a related field. Relevant certifications, such as CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing, GRI Certification, or SBTi training, are highly desirable
• Experience: 5+ years in ESG roles, project management in the carbon credit or renewable energy sector and sustainability consulting.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Carbon credit methodologies, ESG frameworks and sustainability certifications.
• Experience in environmental impact assessments and carbon offset validation processes.
• Knowledge of climate finance and carbon credit markets.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on sustainability metrics.
• Familiarity with technology solutions for digital MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Alignment of projects with ESG and certification standards.
• Reduction in carbon footprint and achievement of project-specific sustainability goals.
• Effective stakeholder engagement and positive community outcomes.
• Quality and timeliness of ESG reporting.