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EDC Student / New Grad Position – ESG – Climate & Sustainable Finance Team

Export Development Canada • Canada • Added on Jun 14, 2026
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Join Canada’s export credit agency to support the continued operations and strategic development of its climate and sustainable finance functions. This junior associate role involves reviewing transactions against established criteria, analyzing data for green bond reporting, and benchmarking internal performance against global lending standards. You will turn raw data into meaningful insights that guide high-level capital deployment while helping the team refine its frameworks.

Working within a Crown Corporation means your efforts directly influence Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy through international trade. You will be at the forefront of climate resiliency, helping to decide how capital can best support industries of the future and meet ambitious 2030 targets. This is a rare opportunity to see how global environmental and social impacts are measured and managed at the sovereign financial level.

This suits someone who is a motivated self-starter with a strong analytical background in sustainable business or environmental science and a genuine interest in international development finance. You should be comfortable navigating complex data sets and have a desire to contribute to high-stakes ESG strategies.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As a Junior Associate, you will focus on the tactical execution of EDC’s Sustainable Finance Framework. This includes conducting detailed transaction reviews to ensure business activities align with environmental and social eligibility criteria. You will be responsible for meticulously evaluating projects before significant capital is committed. Beyond transaction monitoring, you will play a key role in data collection and performance analysis. This data feeds directly into reporting for green bonds and progress toward the organization's corporate sustainability targets. You will also assist in benchmarking these performance indicators against international lending standards to ensure the corporation remains a leader in the field. Lastly, you will provide research support for the development of new positions and frameworks. This involves gathering market intelligence and preparing briefing materials for senior leadership, ensuring that the sustainability team has the evidence-based insights needed to drive the 2030 strategy forward.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates can expect deep immersion in international sustainable lending standards and the operational mechanics of green bonds. You will learn how a large financial institution translates high-level net-zero commitments into daily transactional decisions, providing you with a technical edge in the growing field of ESG finance. Mentorship is a core component of this work term, offering exposure to experienced professionals in climate risk and stakeholder engagement. You will likely develop advanced skills in data analytics and portfolio reporting, specifically within the context of sovereign finance and international trade, which is highly valued across the banking and consulting sectors.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate is currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a degree program focused on Sustainable Business, Finance, or Environmental Science. Because the role involves significant reporting and benchmarking, a strong technical aptitude and an eye for data accuracy are essential for success in these assessment tasks. Strong communication skills are required to translate complex environmental metrics into clear reports for internal stakeholders. Being bilingual in English and French is considered a significant asset, as EDC serves a diverse range of Canadian businesses and operates within a federal crown corporation framework.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate a clear understanding of the Net-Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance (NZECA) and how EDC’s 2030 strategy differentiates it from traditional commercial banks. Showing that you have researched their specific Sustainable Finance Framework rather than just general ESG trends will signal high motivation. Tailor your application to highlight any experience where you managed competing data sets or conducted research for a specific policy or framework. Since preference is given to candidates available for 8 months or more, clearly state your availability in your cover letter to align with the team's long-term project cycles.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role is primarily focused on the environmental and governance pillars of ESG, specifically regarding climate resiliency and net-zero alignment. You will be helping the organization balance the economic needs of Canadian exporters with the urgent necessity of reducing global carbon footprints through responsible capital allocation. There is also a significant focus on transparency and accountability. By assisting with green bond reporting and sustainability performance targets, you ensure that the corporation's environmental claims are backed by rigorous data, helping to mitigate greenwashing risks and maintain public trust.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is navigating the complexity of international environmental standards, which are constantly evolving. You will need to stay up-to-date with shifting regulations and taxonomies to ensure that transaction reviews remain accurate and compliant with global best practices. Additionally, working in a high-performing, fast-paced environment means you must be able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Balancing the immediate needs of transaction reviews with the long-term requirements of data analysis and strategy research requires excellent organizational skills and resilience under pressure.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with reviewing a new financing transaction for a Canadian business to determine if it meets the eligibility criteria defined in the Sustainable Finance Framework. This involves deep diving into project details and comparing them against environmental benchmarks. Your afternoon might be spent collaborating with the sustainability team on a data analysis project, perhaps aggregating impact metrics for a quarterly performance report. You might also attend a meeting with senior associates to discuss market trends in sustainable lending or to prep materials for an upcoming stakeholder engagement session.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role provides a prestigious foundation for a career in ESG advisory, impact investing, or corporate sustainability. Success in this term can lead to extensions or potentially permanent junior roles within EDC, as they often use their student programs to build their future talent pipeline. High-visibility projects, such as contributing to the development of new sustainability frameworks, allow you to build a professional portfolio that demonstrates impact at a national level. The credit and networking opportunities within the Canadian financial ecosystem provided by this role are significant.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with the internal Sustainability and ESG teams, providing them with the research and data needed for strategic decision-making. You may also coordinate with colleagues in legal and risk departments to ensure transaction reviews are thorough and compliant. External interactions might include industry stakeholders and partners involved in sustainable finance benchmarking. While the role is junior, you will be part of a team that serves as a bridge between Canadian businesses looking to export and the global financial standards they must meet to ensure sustainable growth.

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