Associate consultant, Advisory, Sustainable Finance

South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.

Our Consultancy & Advisory Services team provides our clients with outstanding technical expertise that enables the successful implementation of complex sustainability projects. Our expertise spans across multiple topics including land and water management, climate strategies, renewable energies, environmental impact assessments, green products, climate policy, carbon pricing, climate finance, and sustainable finance, to name just a few. If you are a smart, ambitious and dynamic sustainability professional with a strong passion to make a real difference in the fight against climate change, the below position may be right for you! 

Job summary:

The goal of the Associate is to support data management, and technical development for the Sustainable Finance practice where the main clients are private and public financial institutions, from large banks and asset managers to small development finance institutions. The Associate is a hands-on professional who is result-oriented and data-minded, able to understand complex processes and develop new solutions. This position involves data management, data analysis and the development of automated tools while understanding the needs of the target clients (ie. financial institutions). The Associate is assertive, eager to learn, and rigorous when interpreting data. It can collaborate with other teams, establish new processes/assessments and support consultancies teams by providing technical expertise/advice to the team and the clients.

Main tasks & responsibilities:

Data management related

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• Researching, identifying, and integrating data from various open-source databases. Examples include ClimateOS, the UNFCCC Global Emissions Database, IPCC Emission Factors, and others. It is expected that the employee will be able to understand and replicate the methodology used to create these databases.

  
  

• Ensuring that data from various sources is accurately validated and integrated into internal databases. This requires a deep understanding of how to incorporate information in a scientifically sound and replicable manner. All processes must be meticulously documented to ensure transparency and facilitate external review.

  
  

• Responsible for periodic database reviews. Regularly reviewing the accuracy of databases and planning, organizing, and leading annual updates.

  
  

• In charge of maintaining tools up-to-date, identifying, and correcting errors. Eventually, this person will become the go-to person for clarifying questions, updating formats, and managing underlying data.

  
  

• Provide support in the management and handling of data from external sources.

  
  

Consultancy related

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• Assist with proposals/deliverables for the financial sector including technical and administrative requirements to the quality level required by South Pole’s best practice and the client’s needs.

  
  
• Occasionally manage small to medium-sized mandates coordinating with the client and project collaborators while taking care of technical and administrative requirements.
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  • As a project manager, you are responsible for the overall management of projects of low/moderate complexity including initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring, controlling and closure of a project. You will work to ensure timely delivery of mandates, at the quality required by the client.

    
    
  
  
  

• Ensure that assigned tasks/projects are delivered on time and within the available budget either as the project manager or a collaborator

  
  

• The topics of engagement will focus on GHG accounting and disclosure and climate-related risk assessments.Occasionally, some projects might extend to Science-Based Targets (SBTs), ISSB advisory, SDG impact analysis and net-zero (Scope 3 carbon foot printing and Paris alignment).

  
  

Requirements:

Essential -

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• University degree ideally in Engineering or Environmental Sciences, Economics or other sustainability-related disciplines.

  
  

• Relevant work experience (the expectation is a minimum of 1 year) in data management/analysis/processing, sustainability consulting, or a related field.

  
  

• Good project management skills, from both a technical and administrative standpoint, and ability to coordinate project teams in a multi-stakeholder and multi-geographies context.

  
  

• Excellent English writing skills, with proven expertise in creating high-quality written documents (proposals and deliverables).

  
  

• Diligent, reliable, proactive, and self-sufficient but collaborative approach to work.

  
  

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

  
  

• Excellent oral and written skills in English.

  
  

Desirable - 

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• Climate science background, particularly in working with climate model data, scenario planning, and specific file formats and datasets used in climate research. For example, knowledge of climate model outputs, climate datasets using historical weather data, climate transition scenarios and physical climate scenarios.

  
  

• Familiarity with tools such as wget, bash, web APIs, and handling .csv files

  
  

• Practical experience in GHG accounting, climate change scenario analysis and risk and opportunity assessment (for either/both physical and transition risks and in line with TCFD/ISSB).

  
  

• A master’s degree will be an advantage.

  
  

• Excellent working knowledge of all Google Suite applications.

  
  

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced international environment.

  
  

• Good prioritisation and time management skills.

  
  

What we offer:

At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation. 

We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make; South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.