Job Description – Associate Consultant – ESG & Sustainability

Company Description

Smartedge Consulting, located in Hyderabad, is a premier multi-disciplinary ISO consulting company specializing in Management Systems Consulting services. We provide expert guidance on Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001), Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001), Occupational Health and Safety (ISO 45001), Food Safety (ISO 22000), Energy Management (ISO 50001), and more. Our solutions include services such as Initial Gap Analysis, Project Planning, Training, Documentation, Implementation, and Internal Auditing. With a focus on continuous improvement and compliance, we assist organizations in achieving their certification and operational excellence goals through detailed and customized processes.

Job Description Associate Consultant ESG & Sustainability

1 Position Overview

The Associate Consultant ESG & Sustainability is responsible for supporting and executing consulting assignments related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, sustainability strategy, reporting, and compliance.

The role involves client-facing advisory, ESG diagnostics, materiality assessments, sustainability reporting, risk analysis, and implementation of global frameworks such as:

• GRI Standards Sustainability Reporting
• ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gas Accounting
• ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems
• BRSR Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting (India)
• Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures Climate Risk Reporting

The consultant will work across sectors such as Manufacturing, Pharma, Infrastructure, Healthcare, IT Parks, Real Estate, and Export-oriented industries.

2 Reporting Structure

• Reports To: ESG Practice Head / Sustainability Lead
• Works With:
• IMS-QEHS Consultants
• Energy Efficiency Team
• Safety & Compliance Team
• Client Sustainability / CSR / EHS Heads
• Finance & Risk Teams

3 Key Responsibilities

A. ESG Diagnostics & Implementation

• Conduct ESG gap assessments.
• Perform double materiality assessments.
• Develop ESG strategy roadmaps (35 year plans).
• Support ESG policy drafting (Environmental, Social, Governance).
• Design ESG governance structures and committees.

B. Sustainability Reporting

• Prepare sustainability reports aligned with GRI / BRSR.
• Develop KPI dashboards (Environmental, Social & Governance metrics).
• Assist in data collection, validation, and analysis.
• Support annual ESG disclosures and investor reporting.
• Draft narrative sections of sustainability reports.

C. Environmental & Climate Advisory

• Conduct GHG inventory (Scope 1, 2, 3).
• Support carbon footprint assessment.
• Assist in net-zero transition planning.
• Develop energy efficiency & resource optimization strategies.
• Support climate risk & opportunity assessment (TCFD alignment).

D. Social & Governance Advisory

• Support human rights due diligence.
• Develop CSR impact measurement frameworks.
• Design supply chain sustainability assessment models.
• Develop anti-corruption & governance compliance frameworks.

E. Compliance & Due Diligence

• Conduct ESG due diligence for investors.
• Develop supplier sustainability rating tools.
• Support ESG risk mapping and mitigation plans.
• Align ESG with integrated management systems (IMS).

F. Client & Project Management

• Manage 23 ESG assignments simultaneously.
• Conduct stakeholder engagement workshops.
• Prepare client presentations and executive summaries.
• Ensure milestone-based delivery.
• Support proposal preparation and pre-sales discussions.

4 Sector Exposure (Preferred)

• Manufacturing & Industrial Units
• Pharma & Healthcare
• Infrastructure & Construction
• Real Estate & Commercial Buildings
• Export-oriented Companies
• Listed Companies (BRSR applicability)

5 Qualifications

Education:

• MBA Sustainability / Finance / Operations
• OR
• M.Tech / M.Sc Environmental Science
• OR
• Engineering with sustainability exposure

Certifications (Preferred):

• GRI Certified Professional
• ISO 14064 Lead Auditor
• Energy Auditor / Manager (BEE India)
• ESG Risk / Sustainability Certifications

6 Experience Level

• 26 years in ESG, sustainability, EHS, or consulting
• Experience in sustainability reporting preferred
• Exposure to investor-driven ESG frameworks is an advantage

7 Technical Competencies

• ESG data analytics & KPI structuring
• Carbon accounting methodology
• Risk assessment & materiality analysis
• Sustainability reporting tools
• Regulatory knowledge (Indian & global ESG norms)
• MS Excel (advanced), Power BI (preferred)

8 Behavioral Competencies

• Strong analytical thinking
• Research-oriented mindset
• Executive presentation capability
• Stakeholder engagement skills
• Ethical & governance sensitivity
• Ability to handle confidential corporate data

9 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• ESG projects delivered on time
• Reporting accuracy & compliance score
• Client satisfaction index
• Carbon inventory completion timelines
• Repeat ESG engagement rate
• Contribution to revenue targets

Career Progression Path

Associate Consultant Senior ESG Consultant ESG Lead Sustainability Practice Head Business Vertical Director