Job Description

Who we are?Sanlam Investment GroupThe Sanlam Investment Group is uniquely equipped and positioned to deliver on its purpose of empowering generations to be financially confident, secure and prosperous. Through our vast in-house expertise and strategic partner networks, we can access all asset classes across the globe, private and public, actively and passively managed, to develop investment solutions that are in our clients' best interests and have a positive impact on society. Backed by the Sanlam Group's balance sheet, the Sanlam Investment Group has a true competitive advantage in its ability to invest alongside clients, particularly in private markets where impact investing drives the agenda.The Sanlam Investment Group is one of the largest, most diversified financial services and investment firms in Southern Africa with assets under management and administration of more than R2 trillion. It is a B-BBEE level 1 contributor and one of the largest black-empowered asset managers on the African continent.Purpose of the roleThe key purpose of this role is to strengthen our ESG research capability by leading the development of research projects and integration tools across the business. This includes both the idea generation and execution of projects. Responsibilities include building relationships and influencing senior stakeholders across the business to integrate ESG. Other responsibilities include supporting external communications and client engagement on ESG progression and writing thought leadership articles. Your role will be part of a broader team within the Sustainable Investment Centre of expertise and focus predominantly on listed and unlisted assets.Key responsibilities:

• ESG Research (Primary): Develop an ESG research capability at Sanlam Investments and lead ESG integration support across various asset classes but specifically public equity and fixed income investment strategies
• ESG data: Maintenance and constant development of inhouse ESG scorecard, dashboards, data and proprietary views
• ESG Reporting: Assist investment teams with ESG reporting and management of ESG data
• Produce thought leadership pieces on a diverse range of sustainability topics (e.g. climate change, waste management, human rights and diversity)
• Prepare presentation decks on ESG investing and support the team in preparing for meetings with

Portfolio Managers, Heads of Departments and other stakeholders:

• Support the Marketing and Client teams in dealing with ad-hoc requests on ESG topics
• Build effective relationships with key stakeholders across regions and asset classes to enable integration of ESG factors into investment process
• Work very closely with investment teams on an everyday basis (morning meetings, investor meetings, client due diligence, media matters) and management of sell side ESG research
• Work with active ownership team as part of the broader Sustainable Investment Centre of Expertise

Minimum Requirements

• 0- 2 years' experience in the investment management and sustainability. Equity/ ESG research experience would be advantageous
• Passionate about ESG issues (e.g. climate change, diversity and human rights)
• Strong communication skills
• Self-confident, self-motivated and mature candidate
• Undergrad/Honours/ Bsc Eng/ MCom/ MSc/ CA or equivalent degree in finance/ sustainable development (e.g. green economics, international development, environmental sciences)
• Excellent Excel and writing skills
• Fully proficient in Office 365 including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Bloomberg (optional)

Behavioural competencies:

• Pro-active, self-starter
• Fast learner, Persistent and confident
• Resilient
• Natural team player and collaborator
• Problem solver with good listening and interpretation skills

Technical competencies:

• Excellent communication, presentation and administration skills
• Skilled in managing stakeholder relationships and building networks
• Creative problem-solving ability
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Build a successful career with usWe're all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future - your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters - Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office - the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.Our commitment to transformationThe Sanlam Group is committed to transformation and embracing diversity and our employment equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse workplace with employment equity as a key goal to create an inclusive workforce, representative of the demographics of our society as well as people with disabilities.

Sanlam