The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a global, CEO-led organization of over 200 leading businesses working together to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world. We help make our member companies more successful and sustainable by focusing on the maximum positive impact for shareholders, the environment and societies.

Our member companies come from all business sectors and all major economies, representing combined revenues 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. WBCSD is 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: with a vision of a world where more than nine billion people are all living well and within the boundaries of our planet, by 2050.

Job Overview

Packaging materials, especially Plastics, provide health, safety, sustainability and convenience benefits, helping to improve living standards, hygiene and nutrition around the world. But as the consumer class has grown in countries around the world, so too has packaging and the reliance on plastics. This has highlighted the shortcomings of today’s linear economy, resulting in mismanaged plastic (and other) waste in the environment. Overcoming this challenge calls for strong leadership and sustained action from the value chain. It will require massive investment in solutions to prevent plastic from leaking into the environment.

WBCSD is committed to addressing the challenge of plastic leakage into the environment through its strategic partnership with the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and the project on Plastics and Packaging that is part of its Circular Economy program. The Associate will support the activities related to these two programs.

Responsibilities and duties

• Support the scoping of the project on plastics and packaging touching upon the topics of guidelines for recyclability; market development for recycled plastics; knowledge and innovation.
• Support the activities related to the Alliance to End Plastic Waste especially regarding the engagement with cities and city networks as well as reporting Alliance progress and impact.
• Provide support to the Plastics and Packaging team as needed with research, case studies, project and member administration
• Support the organization of member meetings, workshops, webinars organized or attended by the Plastics and packaging team.

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree, or equivalent, in business, environmental science or sustainability
• Up to two years of experience in relevant areas
• Familiarity with and experience in the plastic, packaging industry, waste, circular economy
• Project management experience with success demonstrated when managing both internal and external stakeholders.
• Be proactive and have an appetite to be involved in the topics and various content of projects to help facilitate events and activities with diverse stakeholders and their interests.
• Proven fluency in English, both written and spoken, other languages welcome.
• Good team spirit and the ability to build, nurture and work effectively in teams of partners/stakeholders, able to interact with senior representatives of member companies.

The position is full-time and based in Geneva, Switzerland, but will also require international travel.

WBCSD is a purpose driven, forward-thinking and action-oriented organization, characterised 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, 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.