Education Research Associate

Deadline for application: 25 April 2024About WBCSD

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 (about the population of New York). 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.

About WBCSD Education 

The mission of WBCSD Education is to provide business leaders and practitioners with relevant, actionable and meaningful learning to raise ambition, drive action and sharpen accountability around sustainability goals. We envision a world in which sustainability is embedded within mainstream business and executive education, training and learning. Our north star is to build up the business talent and skills needed for a net-zero, nature-positive and equitable future. 

Job Overview 

We are seeking an enthusiastic and driven Research Associate who will support research and training activities of WBCSD Education related to our contribution to the Moore Foundation’s Conservation and Markets Initiative. 

The Research Associate will work with the Chief Education Officer and Manager, Education at WBCSD to design and develop board training programs for companies in the agriculture sector to support the institutionalization of habitat conversion and deforestation factors into internal decision-making functions. 

Responsibilities and duties 

Provide support in conducting research of targeted companies to tailor education programs to specific company contexts. 
Develop training materials and content through desk research and connecting across the team and the wider organization. 
Facilitate the engagement of members, prospects, and key stakeholders in designing, developing and delivering board trainings. 
Manage the collection, aggregation, analysis and reporting of training evaluation and related data for grant reporting purposes. 
Support the development and implementation of communication strategies to increase awareness and impact with external audiences. 
Schedule, plan agendas for, and assist in planning and facilitating trainings (virtual and potentially in-person) and document and track outcomes and action items. 
Qualifications, Skills and Experience 
Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in sustainability, food systems, environmental sciences, or related disciplines. 
3+ years of experience in research or project management in agriculture- and nature-related initiatives. 

Strong understanding of the soy and cattle value chain, and related global sustainability, health, societal and political challenges. 
Excellent research and analytical skills, and attention to detail. Familiar and comfortable working with data. 
Strong communication skills in person and in writing, with the ability to adjust style of communication to suit audience.  
Excellent presentation and PowerPoint capabilities. 
Experience and interest in adult learning and education. 
Collaborative team player with a strong track record of working in cross-cutting roles. 
Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, SharePoint) and Zoom. 
Fluency in written and spoken English, other languages welcome.   
The position is full-time and based in Geneva (preferred), London or Amsterdam. It is a fixed-term position that concludes 31 December 2024, with the possibility of extension.  The position will report to the Manager, Education at WBCSD. 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 Amsterdam, London, New York and Singapore
Competitive compensation and benefits
State-of-the-art facilities and IT-enabled working tools
Flex-time and part-time possibilities
Dynamic working atmosphere
Open culture encouraging interaction and sharing of ideas and opinions
Sustainable commuting incentives

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