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Ince is a leading investor marketing and stakeholder communications agency, sustained by quality and innovation throughout our 100+ years of history.

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42 Wierda Road West,
Wierda Valley, Sandton,
Johannesburg, 2196
+27 11 305 7300

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Ince is a leading investor marketing and stakeholder communications agency, sustained by quality and innovation throughout our 100+ years of history.

Information

42 Wierda Road West,
Wierda Valley, Sandton,
Johannesburg, 2196
+27 11 305 7300

Follow Us

SENIOR SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING SPECIALIST

DEPARTMENT: ESG Advisory – Sustainability Advisory unit
In support of our “Build Ince Strong” strategy, we are looking for a dynamic Sustainability Reporting Specialist to help drive this strategic ambition forward.
Role Function:

A strategic thinker and natural communicator passionate about driving transparency and positive change across the corporate scape: at its core, this role encompasses research, analysis, writing, problem-solving, and presenting recommendations. The role entails working closely with internal teams, such as corporate governance specialists, designers and external writing partners, to analyse, compile and package content in line with best practices and regulatory requirements. Ultimately, this person’s day-to-day should align with advocating for a more sustainable globe through the lenses of corporate reporting and corporate sustainability strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
  • Matric + A bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, environmental sciences, law, sustainability, developmental sciences and/or an associated field is a minimum requirement.
  • A postgraduate qualification or degree in sustainability, investing, integrated reporting, strategy, corporate/strategic communications, investor relations, future studies and/or an associated field is a requirement.
  • A minimum of 2 years of experience in corporate strategy or sustainability consulting, sustainability reporting and analysis, investor communications, or similar roles.
  • Experience in navigating the private, public and debt capital markets from a sustainability perspective is advantageous.
  • A comprehensive understanding of key sustainability reporting frameworks and landscape, the International Integrated Reporting Framework, and appropriate methodologies for producing Integrated and Sustainability Reports.
  • Broad competency in ESG, corporate ESG strategy and performance.
Key responsibilities:

Scale (1-5): 1 = needs development, 3 = proficient, 5 = exceptional

  • Undertaking technical gap analyses using key reporting frameworks and presenting the findings in a clear and concise manner.
    • Sound understanding and use of frameworks: Correctly applies the IRF, SASB, ISSB, JSE Guidance, GRI etc. in the offering’s context.
    • Analytical rigor: Depth and accuracy of gap identification; ability to differentiate must-have vs. nice-to-have (in the context of this offering); materiality awareness; communicates in a way that exhibits a sound understanding of the reporting landscape.
    • Recommendation quality: Actionability, relevance, and impactful.
    • Communication clarity: Structured approach to the output, clear communication of recommendations, conciseness when delivering the presentation, including knowledge of the client and their industry.
    • Workshop handling: Effectively handles Q&As.
  • Developing strategic infographic layouts to enhance the visual communication of complex information, including preparing clear design briefs for the graphic design team.
    • Strategic thinking: Consistently develop scamps through strategic information thinking and enhanced visual communication.
    • Collaboration: Brief in design and collaborate with the designer on realising the thinking for the infographic.
  • Developing content restructures and detailed pagination plans for Integrated/Annual and Sustainability Reports.
    • Logical architecture: Clear sectioning, logical flow, and
    • Recommendation quality: Integration of the client’s reporting maturity, information availability, and industry.
    • Compliance mapping: IRF, sustainability reporting framework/s consideration, collaboration with Corporate Governance unit regarding King V and Remuneration compliance.
    • Communication clarity: Clear communication of recommendations, conciseness when delivering the presentation, including knowledge of the client and their industry.
  • Strategically reviewing Integrated/Annual and Sustainability Report content to identify key areas for communication improvement.
    • Analytical insights: Ability to detect gaps, redundancies, misalignments and inconsistencies that affect narrative coherence.
    • Strategic value-add: Quality and relevance of the improvement recommendations in relation to the client’s business model, strategy, risks and ESG maturity.
    • Communication effectiveness: Clarity and structure of the review output, including the ability to articulate opportunities for enhancement.
  • Writing reports for both listed and non-listed companies (e.g., Integrated Report, Annual Report, Sustainability Report, Impact Report).
    • Narrative coherence: Ability to develop a clear, logical and compelling storyline aligned with the client’s business model, strategy, risks and ESG maturity.
    • Framework alignment: Accuray in applying relevant reporting frameworks with the report structure and content.
    • Technical accuracy: Quality of data interpretation, contextualisation and explanation of performance trends.
    • Client-voice alignment: Ability to reflect the client’s tone, culture and communication style while maintaining reporting standards.
    • Drafting efficiency: Ability to deliver high-quality drafts within required timelines, incorporating feedback effectively and efficiently.
  • Providing oversight to content writers responsible for drafting Integrated Report, Annual Report, Sustainability Report, Impact Report etc. This includes reviewing interview questionnaires, attending relevant workshops and reviewing drafted copy.
    • Editorial rigour: Accuracy, consistency and logical flow in reviewed content; ability to uphold reporting standards and narrative integrity.
    • Oversight effectiveness: Quality of direction provided to writers; ability to elevate content while maintaining client voice and framework compliance.
    • Workflow management: Timely reviews, structured feedback cycles and proactive identification of content risks or delays.
    • Collaboration and professionalism: Constructive engagement with writers and internal teams, including diplomacy in guiding revisions.
  • Undertaking peer benchmarking exercises, which include detailed research and tailoring the output to the client’s specific context.
    • Research depth: Thoroughness and relevance of benchmarking outputs across selected peers, industries and frameworks.
    • Analytical insight: Quality of comparative analytics, including identification of best practice, differentiators and improvement opportunities.
    • Relevance to client context: Ability to translate benchmarking insights into practical, tailored recommendations aligned with the client’s positioning, maturity and reporting objectives.
    • Output presentation: Clarity, structure and visual effectiveness of the benchmarking deliverable.
  • Facilitating materiality refresher workshops and full materiality assessments, including conducting comprehensive research, clearly presenting findings, and consolidating results into a structured findings document.
    • Research quality: Depth, relevance and accuracy of research underpinning the workshop.
    • Facilitation effectiveness: Ability to steer discussions, manage diverse viewpoints and keep sessions on track.
    • Presentation clarity: Clear articulation of insights, frameworks and implications for the client’s strategy and reporting.
    • Output consolidation: Quality of the final findings document (structure, synthesis, traceability of insights and actionability).
  • Developing comprehensive ESG datasheets, which requires an in-depth understanding of SASB, JSE Climate and Sustainability Disclosure Guidance, GRI, ISSB IFRS S1&S2 and CDP. This includes associating framework codes with the relevant disclosures.
    • Framework accuracy: Correct application of the relevant frameworks.
    • Data mapping precision: Accuracy in aligning disclosures, metrics and codes to client-specific data.
    • Completeness: Ability to identify reporting gaps and communicate requirements clearly.
    • Clarity of output: Presentation quality of the datasheet.
  • Developing sustainable finance datasheets aligned with related disclosures and presenting the findings clearly and effectively, including developing and delivering workshops to unpack these findings and upskill participants.
    • Technical alignment: Accuracy and quality of alignment with sustainable finance standards and disclosure guidance.
    • Analytical depth: Ability to translate financial sustainability information into clear, reportable metrics and narratives.
    • Stakeholder usability: Ease with which clients can interpret and apply the datasheet in reporting or investor communication.
    • Presentation clarity: Structure, conciseness and visual coherence of the financial datasheet.
  • Conducting Stewardship Report technical gap analyses using the PRI Principles, ICGN Global Stewardship Principles, CRISA and The UK Stewardship Code.
    • Framework competency: Ability to correctly apply the related frameworks.
    • Analytical precision: Thoroughness in identifying strengths, gaps and enhancement opportunities.
    • Recommendation quality: Actionable, pragmatic recommendations aligned with global stewardship expectations.
    • Client communication: Clarity and structure of the gap analysis deliverable and presentation.
  • Developing response documents for RFQs/RFPs, which may include leading the development of the response presentations.
    • Strategic positioning: Ability to frame with value proposition clearly and competitively in like with Ince’s offering strengths.
    • RFQ-aligned offerings: Completeness, clarity and technical accuracy of written responses and supporting documents.
    • Collaboration effectiveness: Ability to gather necessary inputs from internal teams, manage contributions and consolidate outputs into a cohesive submission.
    • Presentation quality: Structure, visual coherence and persuasiveness of pitch presentation (written and/or delivered).
    • Deadline reliability: Timely production of RFQ/RFP responses without compromising quality.
  • Developing comprehensive sustainability strategies aligned with best practice frameworks and client objectives.
    • Strategic robustness: Ability to design strategies grounded in leading frameworks and aligned to the client’s business model, risks and opportunities.
    • Practicality and implementability: Clarity and feasibility of proposed actions, milestones, governance structures and reporting pathways.
    • Insight quality: Ability to integrate industry trends, stakeholder expectations and materiality insights into the strategy.
    • Client influence: Ability to communicate recommendations clearly, facilitating decision-making and buy-in.
  • Conducting comprehensive sustainability reporting framework alignment analyses and facilitating related workshops (e.g., ISSB IFRS S1&S2, CSRD, CSDDD). This may include implementing reporting gap recommendations based on the analysis findings.
    • Framework proficiency: Depth of understanding and correct application of the related framework/s.
    • Analytical precision: Accuray in identifying alignment status, gaps and priority actions for enhanced alignment.
    • Implementation capability: Ability to convert recommendations into actionable activities, templates, processes or governance enhancements.
    • Workshop facilitation: Ability to clearly communicate technical framework requirements and guide clients through implications and decision points.
    • Output completeness: Quality and clarity of the alignment report and supporting documentation.
  • Developing bespoke projects outside the standard offering suite, undertaken in partnership with the Head of Sustainability Advisory.
    • Innovation capability: Ability to conceptualise new methodologies, frameworks, tools or solutions tailored to unique client challenges.
    • Strategic contribution: Quality of insights and thinking applied to designing bespoke offerings or advisory approaches.
    • Agility and adaptability: Effectiveness in navigating ambiguity, evolving requirements and conceptual exploration.
    • Delivery excellence: Ability to produce high-quality bespoke deliverables that meet the sophistication and strategic-level expectations.
KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
  • Fully proficient in MS Office.
  • Proficient in using AI tools (LLMs) to enhance productivity, while applying sound judgement to ethical, responsible, and accurate use of AI-generated outputs.
  • Ability to maintain the company’s standards, disciplines, and procedures.
  • Fair degree of visual literacy to assist graphic designers in translating written text into infographics or logical process flows.
  • Strong analytical skills and an aptitude for research.
  • Ability to clearly articulate findings and associated recommendations.
  • Presentation skills and diplomacy in client interactions.
  • Critical thinking is essential.
  • Ability to understand and extract a project brief from information provided by clients or colleagues, often beyond a recognised scope of work.
  • Ability to refine existing approaches to meet the standard and aid in developing new service offerings according to unmet client/industry needs.
  • Excellent interpersonal relations, including the ability to interact with senior staff.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills (verbal and written).
  • Report writing or content generation skills are advantageous.
  • Detail-oriented, time management and organisational skills.
  • Ability to lead on projects where Sustainability Advisory plays a key role.
  • Great work ethic and deadline-driven.

CV and cover letter to MarchelleH@ince.co.za

 

If you have not had feedback within 2 weeks of applying, view your application unsuccessful.