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Senior Associate, Redefining Value

at WBCSD
Published 8 June 2022
Location Amsterdam, Netherlands
Category Fixed-term  
Job Type Associate  

Description

Deadline for application: 12 July 2022

WBCSD is the premier global, CEO-led community of over 200 of the world’s leading sustainable businesses working collectively to accelerate the system transformations needed for a net-zero, nature positive, and more equitable future. 

We do this by engaging executives and sustainability leaders from business and elsewhere to share practical insights on the obstacles and opportunities faced in tackling the integrated climate, nature and inequality sustainability challenge; by co-developing “how-to” CEO-guides from these insights; by providing science-based target guidance including standards and protocols; and by developing tools and platforms to help leading businesses in sustainability drive integrated actions to tackle climate, nature and inequality challenges across sectors and geographical regions. 

Our member companies come from all business sectors and major economies, representing a combined revenue of more than USD $8.5 trillion and 19 million employees. Our global network of almost 70 national business councils gives our members unparalleled reach across the globe. Since 1995, WBCSD has been uniquely positioned to work with member companies along and across value chains to deliver impactful business solutions to the most challenging sustainability issues.  

Together, we are the leading voice of business for sustainability, united by our vision of a world where 9+ billion people are living well, within planetary boundaries, by mid-century. 

Job overview

As part of the “Embedding ESG in business practices” project, which is funded under the Conservation and Markets Initiative (CMI) – a grant making program of Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, we are offering an Senior Associate position in WBCSD’s Redefining Value (RV) program to support WBCSD’s work and corporate engagement activities on risk management, governance, performance management and other key aspects of business decision making. This project is working with food supply and food retailer companies to support them in demonstrating meaningful progress in managing performance against material natural resource factors[1] and shift sourcing and production to deforestation-free and overfishing-free systems.

A key part of this project focuses on reconfiguring existing business processes to better embed ESG issues and support companies on their journey towards net-zero, nature positive and equitable business models as aligned with WBCSD’s 2022-27 strategy. With this in mind, WBCSD is engaging with:

  • The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) on the application of their new Three Lines model to develop an ESG dimension with supporting implementation material for the governance of risks in corporations,
  • AICPA-CIMA on an integrated framework for performance management,
  • KPMG on a Dynamic Risk Assessment looking at risks and opportunities in the Food Retail Sector,
  • In parallel, a net-zero, nature-positive readiness self-assessment and toolkit is being developed which will be used as a primary engagement tool with food retail companies
  • Finally, WBCSD is also keen to explore the role of the extended enterprise of the food retail sector and the potential legal implications.

Responsibilities and duties

Key responsibilities include:

  1. Work with external partners to develop approaches to embedding ESG-related issues into enterprise risk management and governance. The aim will be to ‘flex’ the tools so that they can be used at all levels of the organization from operational management to the board.
  2. Collaborate with WBCSD’s Redefining Value team, external partners and companies to develop and roll out the net-zero, nature positive self-readiness assessment and toolkit and other corporate training resources.
  3. Act as the coordinator of risk and governance work across the CMI project.
  4. Engage with target companies with other project partners (WWF, Brunswick) to implement the tools and guidance through webinars, workshops and other activities.

Qualifications

  • Education: Undergraduate level education in a subject related to sustainability, accounting and/or law. Master level education with a focus on sustainable business practices, accounting or finance or law would be significant asset.
  • Experience: The candidate should have at least 3-5 years’ work experience working in a sustainability, accounting/finance or legal position. Knowledge of accounting and finance, risk management, performance management, corporate sustainability reporting and associated standards, guidelines and frameworks would be a significant asset.
  • Previous experience working with a multidiscipline project team on an international basis to deal with differing languages, time zones and cultural expectations would be advantageous.
  • Communications: Strong facilitation, presentation, and writing skills with the ability to present complex issues in a clear and compelling manner to a wide variety of audiences and stakeholders. Experience of developing learning materials would be a significant asset.
  • Team orientated: Good team spirit and enthusiasm to work in a multi-cultural environment and the ability to build, nurture and work effectively in team and with project members, partners and stakeholders.
  • Self-starter: Capacity to take initiative and work independently towards agreed objectives.
  • Multi-tasking: Strong prioritization, time management and organization skills, with an ability to work effectively under pressure, whilst still paying attention to detail and maintaining a strategic overview.
  • Language skills: fluent, first class written and spoken English, with other languages considered an asset.

The position is for a fixed term role until August 2023 based out of WBCSD’s Amsterdam office.

WBCSD is a purpose driven, forward-thinking and action-oriented organization, characterized by diversity of gender, nationalities and work experiences.

The work environment

WBCSD offers a competitive, modern, and flexible working arrangement:

  • Geneva-based organization with offices in London, New Delhi, Amsterdam, Singapore and New York City
  • Competitive compensation and benefits
  • State-of-the-art facilities and ICT-enabled working tools
  • Flex-time and part-time possibilities
  • Dynamic working atmosphere
  • Open culture encouraging interaction and sharing of ideas and opinions
  • International relocation support
  • Sustainable commuting incentives

Please also note that WBCSD will only respond to candidates selected for the interview process.