Senior Sustainability Policy Advisor

Through in-depth research and expert advice, Profundo aims to make a practical contribution to sustainability and social justice. Our work primarily focuses on international commodity chains, the financial sector, public policy, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Our international client and donor base includes civil society organizations (CSOs), trade unions, research institutes, and government agencies, as well as philanthropic foundations. Our team (20+ staff) is organized into five working groups, each focusing on a different area of research and advisory work.

To expand our research capacity, we are looking for an experienced and versatile Senior Sustainability Policy Advisor.

You will coordinate a variety of policy research and advisory projects for clients from around the world, covering developments on various policy themes across different regions. Our clients rely on our policy research and advice to develop strategies for lobbying, campaigning, and other advocacy efforts related to sustainability and social justice. Projects will address either public policies or private sector policies, or both. In the complex and evolving shift toward more sustainable practices and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the corporate and financial sectors, both types of policies play important and interrelated roles.

In the field of private sector policies, we analyze and benchmark responsible credit and investment policies of financial institutions from around the world, often using the Fair Finance Guide Methodology that we have developed in collaboration with civil society organizations from 15 countries participating in Fair Finance International. Other types of private sector policies we analyze include voluntary certification schemes and procurement policies (such as NDPE policies) in global commodity supply chains, including the forestry, agriculture, mining, and fisheries sectors.

The public policies of various governments that we analyze address international trade and development, sustainability transitions, social issues, and/or market regulation across a wide range of economic sectors, from agriculture, energy, and other commodity sectors to the food, transportation, construction, and financial sectors. Of particular interest are the policies emerging in some countries that aim to integrate sustainability criteria—such as those related to climate change, biodiversity, or labor rights—into business operations overseas, supply chains, and financing portfolios.

As coordinator of our Policy Working Group, you will work closely with the senior researcher who coordinates all contacts with the Fair Finance network to ensure that all client requests for policy research and advice are assigned to one of the policy researchers. You will lead some of these projects yourself, particularly training and advisory projects that require extensive experience in policy influencing strategies. Additionally, you will support the other four policy researchers in planning and managing their projects through brainstorming sessions, reviews, and evaluations, and occasionally by contributing to their research work. Taking the lead on tenders and other acquisition activities is also part of your responsibilities.

We expect you to:

• have a university degree in a relevant field of study;
• have seven or more years of experience in research, training, and/or consulting in the field of sustainability policies in the broadest sense;
• have firsthand experience with (civil society) strategies for influencing public policy;
• be a versatile and analytically strong researcher who can work on policy-related projects, collaborating with a diverse group of colleagues;
• be able to assist other policy researchers in managing their projects;
• be full of ideas for relevant policy research and advisory projects and have experience with procurement activities;
• have proven experience in writing and editing well-structured reports in English; experience in reading and writing in Dutch and other major languages is a plus;
• be flexible and comfortable with meeting tight deadlines; and
• live within commuting distance of our office or be willing to relocate.

We offer:

• the opportunity to work on challenging and diverse research, consulting, and training projects with significant social impact;
• an organizational structure designed to foster your personal and professional growth;
• collaboration within an international team of highly motivated colleagues with diverse areas of expertise;
• daily interactions with an inspiring civil society network spanning the globe;
• opportunities to further initiate and develop policy-related projects, working together with civil society partners to promote social change;
• opportunities to travel abroad for training sessions and meetings (subject to COVID-19 regulations);
• a friendly office near the Amsterdam Sloterdijk train station;
• a contract for 32 to 40 hours per week (to be determined by mutual agreement);
• flexible working hours and the option to work mostly from home;
• an initial monthly salary for a 40-hour workweek ranging from €4,855 to €6,234, depending on years of experience; and
• a good pension plan and other benefits.

Profundo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented groups to apply.

For more information about Profundo, please visit our website (www.profundo.nl). If you have any further questions about this position, please feel free to call or email Jan Willem van Gelder (+31 (0)20 820 8320 or vacature@profundo.nl).

Please send your application, including a cover letter, a resume, and a sample of your research work, no later than October 16, 2022, to Jan Willem van Gelder at vacature@profundo.nl.