Sustainable Finance Strategy Director

Company Description: Systemiq is the system change company, working to accelerate the transition to a net-zero, nature-positive and more inclusive economy. As a certified B Corp, we partner with business, finance, policymakers and civil society to transform five interconnected systems: energy, nature and food, materials and circularity, sustainable finance, and urban transformation.
We bring together strategy, policy, market design and capital mobilisation to deliver tangible results in the real economy. Founded in 2016, Systemiq has grown to a global team of more than 300 people across Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Kenya, the Netherlands, the UK and the US, united by a singular focus on sustainability.
Director, Sustainable Finance | Africa
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Platform: Sustainable Finance
Level: Director
The opportunity
Systemiq is looking for an experienced Director to help lead and grow our Sustainable Finance work across sub-Saharan Africa, based in Nairobi.
Our regional portfolio is expanding rapidly, creating an opportunity for a senior leader to work closely with a Nairobi based Sustainable Finance Partner, who also leads Systemiq's Kenya operations, to deliver complex advisory engagements, develop client relationships and shape our continued growth.
While firmly rooted in Africa, this role is part of a global organisation working across regions, sectors and disciplines to address interconnected sustainability challenges. You will collaborate with international colleagues, drawing on global expertise and applying it to the distinct opportunities and challenges of African markets.
We are seeking someone who combines strong management consulting capabilities, practical sustainable finance expertise and deep knowledge of African markets and institutions. At Systemiq, our leaders remain closely involved in the substance and delivery of our work. You will be expected to take ownership of complex engagements, provide strategic and analytical direction to teams, and contribute actively to business development.
We particularly welcome candidates who have built their careers in Kenya or elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa and bring established regional networks and perspectives.
Key responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership across the regional portfolio. Work closely with the Sustainable Finance Partner and Kenya Country Lead to shape strategic priorities, oversee complex engagements and ensure coherence and quality across the regional portfolio.
Lead complex consulting engagements. Take ownership of major strategic advisory projects, from problem definition and analytical design through to client delivery and implementation planning. Ensure consistently high-quality outputs across multiple workstreams.
Navigate senior government and institutional relationships. Build and manage trusted relationships with senior government officials, particularly in Ministries of Finance, alongside central banks, development finance institutions, investors and other regional and international stakeholders.
Translate policy and financing challenges into practical solutions. Connect public policy objectives, economic priorities and financing opportunities to develop actionable strategies that mobilise investment and support sustainable economic development.
Drive business development. Work closely with the Sustainable Finance Partner to identify opportunities, develop proposals, win new engagements and grow Systemiq's regional portfolio.
Collaborate across disciplines and geographies. Work with colleagues across Systemiq's global platforms, bringing together expertise in finance, energy, nature, food systems and materials to address complex, interconnected challenges.
Lead and develop teams. Manage multidisciplinary consulting teams, providing strategic direction, analytical challenge and mentorship while developing local talent and leadership.
Strengthen our regional presence. Build trusted partnerships with African institutions, represent Systemiq in relevant regional networks and contribute to the growth of our Nairobi team.
Ensure commercial excellence. Oversee project budgets, resources, delivery risks and financial performance, balancing commercial discipline with meaningful impact.
The experience and capabilities we are looking for
Consulting and strategic leadership
Typically 10+ years of relevant experience, including substantial experience in management consulting, strategy advisory or an equivalent consulting-led environment.
A strong generalist consulting toolkit, including structured problem-solving, rigorous analysis, strategic synthesis and executive-level communication.
Proven experience independently leading complex consulting engagements, managing teams and advising senior clients.
A track record of business development, proposal leadership and commercial project management.
Sustainable finance expertise
Demonstrable experience in sustainable finance, including areas such as climate finance, blended finance, investment strategy, development finance, transition finance or capital mobilisation.
A sound understanding of financial institutions, investors, development finance institutions and other capital providers operating in African markets.
The ability to translate sustainable finance concepts into practical strategies, investment opportunities and commercially grounded recommendations.
Sub-Saharan African experience and networks
Significant, hands-on professional experience across sub-Saharan Africa, ideally including Kenya and East Africa, with a detailed understanding of regional financial systems, investment environments and development priorities.
Demonstrable experience engaging and influencing senior government stakeholders, particularly Ministries of Finance, alongside financial institutions, development partners and investors.
Strong political and institutional judgement, with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder interests, policy environments and decision-making processes across African markets.
Sound economic and macro-fiscal literacy, including an understanding of public finance, fiscal constraints, debt dynamics and their implications for sustainable investment and capital mobilisation.
Established professional networks and credibility with senior stakeholders in Kenya and/or other African markets.
Leadership and personal attributes
A confident, collaborative leader with excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
Comfortable operating independently, taking ownership of complex challenges and making sound commercial judgements.
Able to think beyond individual projects or financial instruments, recognising how markets, policy, institutions and capital interact, and translating that understanding into practical strategies for systemic change.
Entrepreneurial and motivated by the opportunity to grow a regional business while developing high-performing teams.
Committed to Systemiq's mission and to advancing sustainable, inclusive economic development across Africa.
What we offer
Meaningful leadership: Help shape a growing Sustainable Finance practice and its work across sub-Saharan Africa.
High-impact projects: Work on complex sustainable finance challenges with leading regional and international institutions.
Autonomy and influence: Take ownership of major engagements, regional relationships and business development.
Local leadership, global reach: Lead work grounded in African markets while collaborating with international colleagues on some of the world's most complex sustainability and economic transformation challenges.
A purpose-driven culture: Join a collaborative team guided by our values of creativity, challenge, collaboration, change and care.
Competitive rewards and development: A competitive salary and benefits package, flexible working culture and opportunities for leadership development.
Our commitment to local leadership
We believe lasting systems change in Africa must be shaped by people with deep regional knowledge, relationships and experience. We are committed to strengthening African leadership within Systemiq and particularly encourage applications from professionals based in Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa.
Additional information
Applicants must have the legal right to work in Kenya. Visa sponsorship and relocation support are not available for this role.
Diversity & Inclusion
At Systemiq, we absolutely believe diverse perspectives are essential to driving system change. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people feel respected, supported and able to do their best work.
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