Are you interested in working with business and government stakeholders to scale up sustainable and responsible corporate practices? Do you want to support the use of ambitious and impactful sustainability systems? ISEAL is hiring an Associate Manager to join our team responsible for business and government engagement. This is the perfect role for a passionate sustainability professional who enjoys strategy and action to influence change. 

ISEAL supports ambitious sustainability systems and their partners to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges – from the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis to human rights and persistent poverty. ISEAL members cover many sectors and include many of the leading standards and certification schemes worldwide such as Fairtrade International, Rainforest Alliance, Marine Stewardship Council, Forest Stewardship Council, Better Cotton Initiative and others. Read more about us on our website www.iseal.org. 

ISEAL has a goal of supporting governments to understand, identify and use credible sustainability systems in sustainability focussed policies and regulations. 

ISEAL’s priorities in this wide policy space evolve over time, and in the coming period include claims and consumer communications, human rights and environmental due diligence, international trade and sustainable public procurement. The Associate manager will proactively work with ISEAL members to understand and respond constructively relevant policy developments, particularly at EU-level. Under the EU’s Green Deal, a range of initiatives have emerged in which systems, standards and certification systems will play crucial roles. The role will focus on further developing and implementing ISEAL’s policy analysis and engagement on various initiatives, for example the upcoming EU legislation regarding consumer-facing sustainability claims and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The associate manager will also co-manage projects that further the organisations’ policy and outreach goals in other areas and jurisdictions, for example, current projects supporting ISEAL’s engagement with governments and stakeholders in other major markets, such as China. The Associate Manager will report to the Manager, Policy & Innovations.

This role requires solid experience with policy monitoring and analysis on one or more of the above-mentioned policy areas or topics, ideally EU related, and a strong understanding of voluntary sustainability systems and tools. Experience with project management and with group facilitation and convening is highly preferred. With an ability to work independently and the initiative to take things forward within an agreed scope, the ideal candidate has a friendly and professional demeanour and confidence in communications and interactions with colleagues and external stakeholders.

In return, ISEAL can offer inspiring insight into the world of sustainability systems and emerging legislative frameworks for topics such as consumer protection, certification and labelling, circular economy, biodiversity, deforestation and climate.   We also offer a supportive organisational culture, and good opportunities to develop professionally and personally in an international NGO environment.

Responsibilities

Policy & Government engagement

• Help shape engagement strategies and objectives, in collaboration with colleagues
• Track policy developments and analyse how they affect sustainability systems, especially at EU-level
• Conduct background research on specific regulatory proposals and policy frameworks and related topics
• Coordinate and facilitate member meetings and create information sharing tools to support members
• Liaise and engage with ISEAL members to involve them in ISEAL policy outreach and coordinated policy responses, especially at EU-level
• Lead on activities related to outreach and information sharing with key government actors and related stakeholders (direct engagement, workshops and events, broader awareness raising, etc.) 
• Manage delivery of in-person and virtual events and meetings, including logistics, creating agendas and slides, delivering presentations, facilitating panels, and event follow up

Project Management and Communications Support

• Support production of communications materials for different audiences and maintain project related online content
• Develop and track project timelines, deliverables, communication plans and budgets
• Contribute to project reporting
• Carry out stakeholder target identification

Other

• Participate actively in team and organisational planning and activities
• Participate in internal staff management processes such as performance reviews, supervisory meetings, etc.

Experience, Knowledge and Attributes

• Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant subject (e.g. sustainability or environmental studies, human rights, law, int. development/ social policy, etc.) and/or equivalent work experience
• Solid experience of working with policy makers or institutions engaged in policy analysis, ideally at EU level
• Knowledge of policy topics and instruments such as human rights and environmental due diligence, international trade and public procurement
• Strong project management  skills, and experience with balancing multiple project administration, meeting/event organisation, logistics, contracts, budget tracking, etc.
• Confidence in written and verbal communications with peers and external partners
• Comfortable in public speaking situations (e.g. facilitating webinars, workshops etc)
• Good time management and ability to organise multiple tasks efficiently & with precision in a virtual work environment, asking for clarification or direction where needed
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Confidence in using IT systems, familiarity with virtual meeting tools (e.g. MS Teams, Skype, GoToMeeting, etc), use of contact management databases (e.g. Salesforce) and proficiency in MS Office
• Understanding of sustainability tools and approaches including standards systems, certification, and social auditing, and how they work to help deliver change on sustainability issues

Additionally desirable

• Experience with support for financial/grants processes and management
• Some experience working from home and/or with a manager off site
• Other languages: French, German and/or Chinese language skills a plus

Other relevant information

Term:                               Initial 12-months fixed term contract, with a view to extend beyond original term

Salary:                             £40,500-44,000 p.a. depending on experience

Working Hours:             Full time, 37.5 hours per week.

Location:                        The preferred location for this position in London, but other locations will be considered for exceptional candidates, in particular Belgium and Netherlands or cross-border employment for these two countries. Applicants will need to provide evidence that they are entitled to work in the relevant location. An ability and willingness to work from home is also required.

International Travel:    The post holder may be required to undertake occasional international travel

Annual Leave:               25 days / year for a full-time position (including office closure between Christmas and New Year)

Ideal Start Date:            asap

Click to apply

Specific enquiries about this role and the application process can be sent to the recruitment@isealalliance.org.

We will be assessing incoming applications on a rolling basis, with interviews starting in early January, so early submission is recommended. Deadline for applications is 18 January 2023.

Please note that we will only contact shortlisted applicants.