Sustainable Business & Finance Advisor

Country UK City London Category Conservation Department (and Section) Conservation and Policy - Conservation Finance and Enterprise - Business & Biodiversity Closing Date 02/03/2023 Level Officer / Advisor / Executive / Coordinator Position Type Full-Time / Fixed Term Contract Advertised Salary £35,988 (inc London Weighting) Enhancements London Weighting Overview We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.
The ZSL Sustainable Business & Finance programme works to achieve a world where business and investor practices protect & enhance biodiversity. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual passionate about implementing sustainable business practices to join a growing team of experts in biodiversity and land-use change. You’ll be seeking innovative solutions to support the private sector to reduce its impact on nature and help reduce the impacts of the climate and biodiversity crises. Role Profile

The ZSL Sustainable Business & Finance programme works to achieve a world where business and investor practices protect & enhance biodiversity. This role is part of the Advisory Service workstream, providing consultancy services on the sustainable production and trade of forest risk commodities, and advising on related frameworks to support environmental outcomes. Working closely with, and line managed by, the Sustainable Business Advisory Manager, the successful candidate will support on technical service delivery to a range of international clients, at all stages of a project lifecycle from developing proposals through to completion.

NB: This is a 1 year full-time/fixed term contract with a possibility to extend. Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct desk-based research on businesses, supply chains, and investment portfolios
• Produce written reports and presentations of research and assessment findings.
• Support strategic alignment and cross-collaboration with other departments within ZSL, such as Institute of Zoology, Monitoring & Technology Programme and country offices
• Contribute to the development of a marketing toolbox (documents relating to communications and sales)
• Supporting on the development of proposals, concept notes, and sales pitches
• Support the implementation of a structured quality management system (QMS)

Person Specification Qualifications & Experience

• A relevant bachelor’s degree in a related subject, such as Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Agricultural Sciences, Law, International Development, Business, Economics, etc.
• Experience in a client facing or service delivery role, ideally related to environmental or sustainability outcomes.
• Experience in conducting assessments or following research methodologies
• Experience in a role related to supply chain risk, due diligence, or similar.
• Relevant experience related to soft-commodity production and/or supply chains (palm oil, timber, natural rubber, cocoa, coffee, cotton, etc.)

Knowledge

• An understanding of the key principles in one or more of the following:
  • Sustainable sourcing
  • Supply chain risk assessment
  • Supply chain due diligence
  • Responsible investment
• An understanding of the drivers of deforestation, biodiversity decline and climate change.
• An understanding of the concepts of natural capital and ecosystem services.
• Knowledge of relevant policy and legal frameworks, for example; EU Deforestation Regulation, UK Environment Act, Taskforce for Nature Related Financial Disclosure, EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

Skills & Abilities

• An excellent standard of written and spoken English.
• Excellent project management/ service delivery skills.
• Strong organisational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Well-developed IT skills in using MS office packages, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as Microsoft Teams and Sharepoint.
• Ability to work independently and problem-solve
• Ability to work in different cultural settings

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds. We actively encourage applications from disabled and ethnic minority candidates as those demographics are currently under-represented across ZSL.
What do we offer?
“Work Your Way”: We empower people to work from where they work best. We believe work is something we do and not a place we go. Our offices have become important places for collaboration and social connection but are no longer our main place of work.
You will have access to a blended program of Wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program as well as regular webinars and activities around mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing. The opportunity to be part of an organisation that is committed to improving diversity and inclusion.
Other benefits include 25 days holiday, life assurance, stakeholder pension (ZSL will also match further contributions you may choose to make up to a further 5% - limited to 12% employer contributions), complimentary zoo tickets with a 30% discount in shops and online, subsidised canteen, enhanced paternity and maternity leave, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym membership and access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities (add LinkedIn Learning for managers).
Ultimately, you’ll know that you’ll help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct. To Apply Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button.
Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59) on 02 March 2023
The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.