Description of the role 

Investec's sustainability screening process supports responsible client and transaction decisions by identifying material environmental, social, governance and reputational risks, as well as potential conflicts with Group policies and risk appetite.
The sustainability screening analyst will complete screenings across Investec's businesses and support the continued consistency, efficiency and auditability of the process. The role will undertake research, apply policy to specific facts, provide clear recommendations and escalation guidance, maintain screening records and contribute to improvements in screening tools and guidance.

Key Responsibilities

Undertake sustainability screenings
•    Complete timely, evidence-based screenings of prospective and existing clients, counterparties and transactions in accordance with Investec's sustainability policies and governance requirements.
•    Establish the appropriate screening perimeter, considering the relevant legal entity, ownership and group structure, subsidiary activities, existing or new relationship, transaction type, product, geography and intended use of proceeds.
•    Research the client's business activities, sector exposure, environmental and social impacts, conduct concerns, controversies and other relevant risk indicators using reliable internal and external sources.
•    Assess each case against applicable Investec requirements, including sustainability-related policies, sector guidance, exclusions and risk appetite. Where relevant, consider the sustainable and transition finance classification framework separately.
•    Identify information gaps, obtain proportionate clarification from the relevant teams and document the evidence, sources, assumptions and limitations supporting the assessment.

Analyse risks and provide recommendations 
•    Assess complex and higher-risk sectors and clearly distinguish between client- and transaction-level risk, holding company and subsidiary activities, direct and indirect exposure, and general corporate-purpose and ring-fenced financing.
•    Consider the specific financial service involved, including lending, advisory, investing, transactional banking, deposit taking, hedging, foreign exchange and derivatives, and apply restrictions only to the activities and exposures they cover.
•    Provide a clear, well-supported recommendation to proceed, proceed subject to conditions, escalate for further consideration or decline, identifying the policy basis and any required approvals or monitoring.
•    Identify material legal, reputational and greenwashing concerns and escalate complex or ambiguous cases through the appropriate governance channels.
•    Work with business, Risk, Credit, Compliance, Legal and relevant subject-matter experts to resolve screening matters and ensure recommendations are appropriately informed.

Support consistency and continuous improvement and follow-up requirements.
•    Apply agreed quality checks and maintain the decision and precedent register to support consistent treatment across sectors, products, entities and geographies.
•    Support screening workflow management, including prioritisation, turnaround times, outstanding information and management reporting on screening volumes, outcomes and recurring risk themes.
•    Contribute to updates to screening templates, guidance, training materials and case studies as policies, regulations, market practices and recurring judgement issues evolve.
•    Formal accountability for client selection, credit decisions, risk acceptance, product classification and transaction approval remains with the relevant Investec business, risk and governance functions.

General
•    Contribute to the development and maintenance of sustainability policies, procedures and guidance documents.
•    Support ad hoc sustainability projects and initiatives as required.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

•    A relevant tertiary qualification in sustainability, environmental science or management, social sciences, development studies, economics, law, risk management or a related discipline is required.
•    A minimum of 5year's previous experience in sustainability screening, environmental and social due diligence, sustainability-related research, responsible finance, risk or financial services required.
•    Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to examine companies, ownership structures, sectors and transactions and translate findings into clear recommendations.
•    Sound judgement and the ability to interpret and apply policies consistently, with a willingness to learn and seek guidance on complex or ambiguous matters.
•    An understanding of banking products and the differences between lending, advisory, investing, transactional banking, deposit taking, hedging, foreign exchange and derivatives would be advantageous.
•    Familiarity with environmental and social risk, human rights, climate and transition risk, nature and biodiversity, conduct risk and greenwashing considerations.
•    Interest in developing knowledge of complex and higher-risk sectors and confidence working with incomplete or conflicting information.
•    Awareness of sustainability developments in South Africa, the UK and international markets. Familiarity with recognised environmental and social due-diligence frameworks would be advantageous.
•    Excellent research, analytical and written communication skills, with careful attention to evidence, consistency and audit trail.
•    Ability to manage a varied screening pipeline, prioritise effectively and work to agreed turnaround times.
•    Confidence engaging with stakeholders and working collaboratively across Sustainability, Risk, Compliance and revenue-generating teams. 
•    Proficiency in using AI-enabled productivity tools, such as Copilot, to improve efficiency, generate insight and support decision-making. Applies critical thinking and sound judgement when interpreting outputs, remains accountable for the quality and accuracy of their work.

What We Value

At Investec we seek creative, talented people with passion, energy and stamina, who collaborate unselfishly.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion when recruiting internally and externally.