About the PRI

The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions. The PRI acts in the long-term interests of its signatories, of the financial markets and economies in which they operate and ultimately of the environment and society as a whole. The PRI is truly independent. It encourages investors to use responsible investment to enhance returns and better manage risks but does not operate for its own profit; it engages with global policymakers but is not associated with any government; it is supported by, but not part of, the United Nations.

Working at the PRI provides an opportunity to engage with highly motivated, culturally diverse professionals on a wide range of cutting edge issues, such as income inequality through the lens of sustainable finance. The PRI provides scope for development at all levels with opportunities for project leadership and management working alongside some of the most influential signatories and leaders across financial markets and economies.  In combination with a supportive culture that encourages continuous learning and flexible working policies, PRI is a highly engaging place to work on truly transformative issues.

Job description

This role sits in the ESG team and manages PRI’s Sustainable Land Use program, which aims to halt deforestation and land conversion in soft commodities production and agricultural supply chains. The position is responsible for coordinating the crucial role that investors play in addressing ESG and climate risks related to soft commodity production associated with deforestation. It is a project management role which requires deep expertise on agriculture and forests, as well as excellent strategic and coordination skills.

Core Responsibilities:

■      Manage the Sustainable Land Use Initiative including providing strategic direction, managing donor and partner relationships, and reporting.

■      Management of investor relationships

■      Procure or undertake research

■      Monitor and track progress of the projects

■      Increase awareness of land use change and deforestation with investors and on PRI’s activities with external stakeholders

■      Write guidance, briefing documents or reports on the projects and topics

■      Coordinate a network of relevant stakeholders

■      Collaborate internally with different teams where appropriate

■      Participate and speak at external events

■      Support internal knowledge sharing on environmental issues

■      Provide coaching and mentoring to more junior members of the team, including sharing technical knowledge and expertise where appropriate

■      Support the Head of Environmental Issues in delivering against the team’s business plan and budget

■      Provide regular reporting to the Director of ESG and Chief Responsible Investment Officer as required

Core Competencies:

PRI expects roles at a ‘Senior Specialist level’ within the organisation to demonstrate skills across the following core competencies:Analytical

•Looks for opportunities to add value by sharing specialist knowledge and insights

•Broadens the view to consider all possible options even if they initially seem unlikely solutions

•Can effectively capture and structure ill-defined or vague problems and is comfortable handling uncertainty (in own work and that of team members)

Considers examples outside of the PRI in offering alternative solutions or guidance

Business Awareness

•Demonstrates an understanding of the business, including its finances, mission and its culture

•Identifies and utilises key relationships (both internal and external) for successful execution of project or piece of work

•Knows when and how to challenge senior managers

•Applies industry knowledge and understanding of external influences, coupled with an appreciation of PRI mission and strategy to inform decisions

Collaborative

•Demonstrates ability to build good working relationships at all levels

•Drives collaboration within projects or work programmes to deliver high quality outputs

•Aligns expectations with senior managers to reach agreement

•Promotes knowledge sharing across the organisation

•Flexes style and approach based on colleagues’ level of understanding and preferences

Communicative

•Independently delivers well-structured, logical outputs that deliver maximum impact with minimum editing

•Presents advice or recommendations within the context of the recipient’s area of focus to gain buy-in

•Improves the knowledge of senior managers by making complex specialist principles easy to understand

•Appreciates the impact of their communication on others, modifying behaviour and communication style to work in different situations

Developmental

•Shares specialist knowledge openly with others, creating opportunities for others to learn, grow and succeed

•Builds an environment within the PRI which values forward thinking, creative solutions and innovation

•Is active in specialist networks as a means of furthering own knowledge and applying at the PRI

•Uses good questioning skills in a way that causes others to think about their approach

Structured

•Prioritises where contributes own time based on the value it would deliver

•Uses project management and oversight of individual work processes to improve organisational performance

•Continuously monitors external developments to incorporate into own work activities

•Translates project objectives into own work plans

Technical Competencies & Experience:

■      Significant expertise in ESG issues related to soft commodities and the links with deforestation, climate, trade, financing and policy.

■      Knowledge of land use issues in South America and Asia.

■      Understanding of shareholder engagement processes

■      Degree in a field related to finance, responsible investment and/or sustainability. A postgraduate qualifications in a similar field is desirable.

■      Relevant work experience in responsible investment and/or corporate sustainability. Experience on environmental issues within RI or sustainability would be advantageous.

■      Experience of coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives

■      Portuguese speaking

■      Excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills with the ability to deliver high quality briefings and reports with minimal supervision

■      A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others

■      Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills

■      IT/system skills (Microsoft Office, CRM, social media, webcasts, etc.)

■      Very good programme management skills, with experience in delivering successfully, including directing others that may not be your direct reports

■      As this is a global role, international travel may be required.

■      Must be eligible to work in UK

Initial interviews will be scheduled 9 and 10 January.