Are you a data specialist passionate about forestry, agriculture and sustainability? Do you want to help businesses meet environmental standards and address key challenges? If so, you could be the perfect fit for our Sustainability Specialist role, based in Romania.
What can you expect:
As a Sustainability Specialist, you will provide technical assistance and data management and at the same time advise clients in sectors like timber, palm oil, textiles, soy, and beef, helping them meet sustainability goals and legal requirements, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation. Your responsibilities will include provide technical support, management of data, check data integrity, suggest process improvements, developing policies, implementing due diligence systems, delivering training, and conducting audits. You’ll also manage donor-funded sustainability projects, oversee a portion of our client portfolio, and provide technical assistance.
Working with us is never routine so the first year you can expect the following areas to be central to your work.

• Providing technical assistance and interpretations to colleagues and clients and conducting administrative duties including but not limited to: data integrity, project performance, support on complex cases, automatization and continuous improvement and other tasks;
• To help organizations meet their sustainability goals you will tackle ambiguous problems and take action to develop and implement bespoke sustainability requirements, including the creation and implementation of Sustainable Sourcing Programs that suit specific organizational needs.
• Support clients in meeting legal requirements in the regulated markets (such as EU Deforestation Regulation), including training, supplier engagement, risk assessment and onsite audit at either farm/forest or supply chain level.
• Support clients in the development and implementation of systems for responsible sourcing and associated activities, including policy development, supply chain engagement, risk assessment and risk mitigation activities (supplier audits, capacity building, stakeholder consultation, etc.)
• Support Preferred by Nature team activities including quality, timeliness and financial oversight in relation to client service delivery. This includes oversight of a project team, management of capacity, as well as providing technical guidance and quality control for the work conducted by the project team.
• Support/conduct direct sales for sustainability services, including sales meetings with clients, identifying service needs, creating/reviewing budgets and proposals according to internal sales procedures, negotiating service agreements, and completing associated sales procedures in the Salesforce database.
• Establish trust-based relationships with clients to better serve their organizations and communicate effectively with all audiences, including senior leaders, in a structured manner.

Your first year with us
Within three months, you will:

• Complete onboarding and on-the-job training to gain a thorough understanding of Preferred by Nature’s mission, operations, and sustainability standards, including Preferred by Nature’s certification, service delivery processes and responsible sourcing
• Gain knowledge in technical assistance and data management, developing a strong understanding of foundational concepts and practices. Engage in hands-on experience by performing basic tasks and assignments.
• Handle basic administrative tasks and ensure accurate reporting to support smooth operations.

Within six months, you will:

• Work collaboratively with team members to improve data workflows, and gradually build expertise in essential tools and methodologies for data handling and technical support.
• Take charge of leading sales meetings, and create detailed proposals and budgets to drive client engagement and business growth.
• Oversee and manage audit schedules and client progress, ensuring timely reporting and enhanced operational efficiency with a high degree of autonomy.

Within one year, you will:

• Assist in various aspects of data management by actively participating in organizing, maintaining, and optimizing data systems and processes. Conduct regular reviews to ensure data accuracy, integrity, and accessibility, supporting the team in managing both structured and unstructured data.
• Identify potential areas for improvement within data workflows and suggest enhancements to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and improve data quality. Collaborate with other team members to implement best practices, provide feedback on current data management strategies, and help in developing innovative solutions to address challenges within the data.
• Coordinate with Team to implement service improvements and best practices.
• Oversee and execute comprehensive administrative and reporting tasks, providing leadership and support to the team.

Important that you:

• Have bachelor’s degree agriculture, forestry, agro-forestry, environment science, communication, management, economy, mathematic, or other relevant major
• Proven experience in data management field of minimum 3 years for sustainability specialist. Experience in the forestry or agriculture sector.
• Strong administrative and operational management skill
• Strong computer knowledge (Microsoft word, excel, power point, power automation, Dataverse and Salesforce).

• Good communication skill, excellent written and verbal communication in English.
• Creative individuals that are highly organised, attentive to details and achievement-oriented.

Would also be great, but not necessary, if you:

• Knowledge of the main legislations and initiatives related to legality, deforestation and sustainable development.
• Experience in working with wide range of stakeholders (private, NGOs government, etc.)
• Familiarity with relevant laws and regulations related to responsible sourcing, as well as experience conducting supplier audits and assessments.

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!

What Sets Us Apart:

• Global work culture
• High degree of flexibility - remote work, work from home.
• An in-depth onboarding and professional training that prepares you with the right skills and knowledge to thrive in this role.
• Excellent opportunities for growth and professional development
• Potential future international travel opportunities
• A friendly, international team of colleagues, with a pleasant work environment
• Private life/accident/medical insurance plan
Start with 20 days of vacation leave per year.

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Preferred by Nature
Preferred by Nature is a non-profit, mission driven organisation that works for sustainable land management and climate-friendly solutions. With 300+ employees and a network of local experts, we develop practical solutions to drive positive impacts in production landscapes and supply chains in 100+ countries. We focus on forest and climate impact commodities and related sectors.

How to apply:
If you feel you meet the requirements of the role, please submit your CV and cover letter (in English), including salary expectations by 29th November 2024 via the application form below
Application pre-screening will be conducted during the application period.
Preferred by Nature wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.