Reporting to the Director Sustainability and Shared Value, the Senior Manager, Sustainability & Partnerships will lead the integration of Sustainability and Partnerships as strategic drivers of growth. This involves embedding ESG principles into Safaricom’s business strategy, product development, ecosystem engagements, and operational DNA, unlocking new revenue opportunities, strengthening stakeholder trust, and enhancing market positioning. The role holder will focus on the Shared Value model, identifying business opportunities that address global challenges such as reducing carbon footprint to lower Opex, creating circular economy revenue streams, and managing sustainability-linked loans. This role ensures sustainability initiatives are directly linked to commercial outcomes, innovation, and long-term value for customers, communities, and shareholders, while shaping Safaricom’s leadership in purpose-led growth.
Responsibilities
Strategy & Shared Value Integration
- Develop and drive the Sustainability & Shared Value strategy aligned to Safaricom’s growth priorities.
- Embed ESG into business strategy, product design, and commercial decision-making across clusters.
- Identify and scale shared value initiatives where social impact drives competitive advantage.
- Translate sustainability priorities into clear business cases linked to revenue, cost, and risk outcomes.
- Partner with Commercial, Technology, and CFIO teams to integrate ESG into new growth areas (e.g. FinTech, digital ecosystems).
- Track and report on strategic impact of sustainability initiatives on business performance and long-term value.
Partnerships & Ecosystem Development
- Build and manage strategic partnerships (local, regional, global) to unlock ESG-led growth opportunities.
- Identify and develop ecosystem collaborations across public, private, and development sectors.
- Leverage partnerships to enable new business models, funding opportunities, and innovation.
- Position Safaricom as a partner of choice in sustainability, inclusion, and purpose-led initiatives.
- Ensure partnerships deliver measurable commercial, social, and reputational value.
Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Programs (Net Zero & Circularity)
- Lead delivery of environmental sustainability agenda including carbon reduction and resource efficiency.
- Lead the transition toward Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for carbon neutrality (Scope 1, 2, and 3).
- Oversee waste, water, and circularity initiatives across operations and value chain.
- Integrate environmental considerations into supplier, product, and operational decisions.
- Manage sustainability risks and opportunities related to climate and environmental impact.
ESG Governance, Reporting & Compliance
- Lead ESG governance frameworks ensuring alignment with regulatory, investor, and Group requirements.
- Oversee development of sustainability disclosures (e.g. integrated reports, ESG ratings, regulatory filings).
- Ensure ESG KPIs are embedded into business performance frameworks and tracked effectively.
- Monitor evolving ESG regulations and ensure readiness and compliance across markets.
- Drive data integrity, assurance, and transparency in ESG reporting and disclosures.
External Positioning, Advocacy & Thought Leadership
- Position Safaricom as a leader in sustainability and purpose-led growth through strategic storytelling.
- Represent the organization in key sustainability forums, industry platforms, and stakeholder engagements.
- Build thought leadership on sustainability, inclusion, and shared value across markets.
- Drive stakeholder engagement strategies that strengthen trust, credibility, and brand positioning.
Culture, Capability & Subsidiary Oversight
- Build internal capability on sustainability and shared value across business units.
- Drive a culture of sustainability through awareness, engagement, and leadership alignment.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team to deliver on sustainability and partnerships agenda.
- Provide strategic oversight and guidance on Sustainability and Partnerships across subsidiaries (e.g. Ethiopia).
- Support subsidiaries in embedding sustainability and shared value into local business strategies and operations.
Core Competencies
- Customer Obsession: Foster authentic relationships with customers and partners that build trust; take customer-centric decisions.
- Purpose: Create an inspiring vision for your team; use knowledge of the external environment to identify growth opportunities.
- Innovation: Fuel innovative ideas and test them to enable growth; learn fast from digital adoption.
- Collaboration: Actively collaborate to break silos and hold teams accountable.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Business, Economics or related field.
- Master’s / MBA in Sustainability or Strategy is preferred.
- 8–10+ years’ experience in Sustainability, ESG, Corporate Responsibility, or Strategy/Consulting roles.
- Proven track record of delivering commercially impactful sustainability or shared value initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of ESG frameworks and standards (e.g., GHG Protocol, IFRS S1/S2, GRI, TCFD).
- Experience in carbon strategy, climate transition (Scope 1, 2, 3), and circular economy principles.
- Familiarity with ESG data, reporting tools, and performance tracking systems.
- Ability to translate ESG into commercial value drivers (revenue growth, cost efficiency, risk mitigation).
- Strong understanding of local and global ESG regulatory landscape (NEMA, EMCA, international requirements).
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the Safaricom recruitment portal by clicking the application link below. Applications should be submitted no later than April 27, 2026.
