Global Director, HSE

About KOKO Networks

KOKO Networks is a leading climate-tech venture with a presence in East Africa and India, boasting a workforce of over 1,200 employees. Our mission revolves around leveraging technology to enhance the lives of urban dwellers in the world’s fastest-growing cities. We offer an exciting and collaborative work environment with ample opportunities for professional growth. Our primary business lines include KOKO Fuel, a clean bioethanol cooking fuel solution delivered via smart fuel ATMs; KOKO Climate, which promotes emissions reductions by encouraging households to switch from deforestation-based charcoal to KOKO Fuel; and KOKO Club, a tech-driven direct-to-consumer retail platform operating in partnership with local retailers. In 2021, FT/IFC recognized KOKO as the leading emerging markets climate technology solution.

Your Role As the Global Director, HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment), your responsibility is to establish and oversee KOKO’s safety and environmental strategy, systems, and policies across all operational countries, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. You will collaborate with country business units to share expertise and uphold the highest standards of team and category safety.

What You Will Do

1. Build KOKO’s HSE Strategy and Culture
   • Cultivate a safety and environmental health culture across all KOKO operations
   • Integrate safety considerations in the expansion to new geographies and categories
2. Design and Refine HSE Plans
   • Develop, refine, and audit company-wide HSE policies and practices
   • Promote strong buy-in and awareness of safety practices throughout the organization
3. Ensure Regulatory Compliance
   • Establish scorecards, tracking systems, and monitoring plans to ensure compliance with local and international standards
4. Manage Local HSE Teams
   • Recruit, lead, and mentor HSE department heads in country business units
   • Collaborate with country MDs and key stakeholders to uphold safety as a core value
5. Ensure Team Safety
   • Identify and mitigate risks to employee, contractor, and agent health and safety
   • Develop customized risk mitigation plans for each operating environment
6. Ensure Category Safety
   • Identify and minimize risks in business categories (liquid fuel and non-perishable FMCGs)
   • Support the implementation of safety protocols to reduce customer impact
7. Lead Internal OSH Efforts
   • Oversee and support employee-led Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Committees
   • Enhance accountability for HSE across the organization and address safety risks proactively

What You Will Bring To KOKO

• A university degree in a relevant field (Master’s preferred), such as Engineering or Business
• Over 15 years of experience in a related field with a proven track record of success
• More than 8 years of management experience, including team building and mentoring
• Domain expertise in health, safety, and environmental management, preferably in liquid fuels or FMCGs
• In-depth knowledge of industry codes and standards in emerging markets, particularly Africa and/or India
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, with prior experience in a startup or multinational corporation
• Strong cross-functional management skills, focusing on delivering top priorities on-time and to the highest standards
• Excellent critical analytical thinking and communication skills
• Ownership mindset and ability to thrive in a growth-stage startup environment
• Strong interpersonal skills to bridge cultural and background gaps
• A well-established network of colleagues and partners eager to contribute to KOKO’s growth
• Unquestionable integrity and dedication to embedding company culture and values within teams

Expert Tips To Be A Successful Applicant

1. Showcase Your Relevant Experience: Emphasize your experience in health, safety, and environmental management, especially in related industries like liquid fuels or FMCGs.
2. Demonstrate Leadership Skills: Highlight your management experience and achievements in building and mentoring teams.
3. Familiarity with Emerging Markets: Emphasize your understanding of industry codes and standards in emerging markets, particularly Africa and/or India.
4. Adaptability and Fast-paced Environment: Illustrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, preferably with experience in startups or multinational corporations.
5. Communication and Critical Thinking: Showcase your strong analytical and communication skills, essential for driving safety initiatives effectively.
6. Cultural Sensitivity: Emphasize your interpersonal skills and experience in bridging cultural gaps in diverse environments.
7. Network and Integrity: Highlight your network of colleagues and partners, indicating potential contributions to KOKO’s growth. Demonstrating unwavering integrity is vital to align with our values
8. Promote Diversity: KOKO is committed to diversity, so encourage candidates of all backgrounds