ISSB Technical Staff - Nature/Biodiversity

Job Purpose: ISSB Technical Staff focusing on Nature/Biodiversity supports research, standard-setting and the development of educational materials on risks and opportunities related to biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem services. This includes work on the ISSB's ongoing research project on biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem services, covering research on investor interest, effects on a company's cashflows, access to finance, and cost of capital, existing standards and frameworks and current state of disclosure. This position sits within the ISSB Technical Staff, the team that supports the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)'s work to develop—in the public interest—IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards that will result in a high-quality, comprehensive global baseline of sustainability disclosures focused on the needs of investors and the financial markets.

Principal accountabilities:

• Evidence-based research – Undertake research on business risks and opportunities associated with sustainability issues and metrics used to understand performance on such risks and opportunities. The focus for this role will be on risks and opportunities related to nature and biodiversity
• Stakeholder consultation – Act as a credible and authoritative representative of the ISSB by engaging with a wide range of external stakeholders from industry and the investment, regulatory and standard-setting communities, to ascertain their views and to share information.
• Staff analysis and recommendations – Conduct analysis and develop technical proposals for consideration by the ISSB and its advisory committees, and facilitate their decision-making
• Technical papers – Draft due process documents (research papers, discussion papers, requests for information, exposure drafts, ballot drafts and standards).
• Initiate and lead discussions with ISSB members, advisory committees, and working groups.
• Work with IASB Technical Staff when relevant to ensure connectivity and compatibility between the work of the IASB and the ISSB in developing IFRS Accounting and Sustainability Disclosure Standards
• Project management, including coordination of a range of activities to support the delivery of technical projects and coordination across other project work plans
• Contribute to the development of other staff.

Competencies

• Technical knowledge and thinking abilities:

• Demonstrates knowledge of the sustainability and financial reporting landscape, including relevant standards, frameworks and regulations. This includes, for example, experience with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), GRI 101 Biodiversity Standard, European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
• Demonstrates practical knowledge of capital markets and the links between sustainability-related risks and opportunities—with a particular focus on nature/biodiversity-related risks and opportunities—and value creation.
• Shows rigour, consistency and attention to detail in work.
• Identifies, understands and analyses issues.
• Synthesises information and proposes well-reasoned recommendations, and draws out implications, including cost/benefit analysis.
• Displays impartiality, balance and openness in developing, defending and accepting alternative views.
• Develops feasible solutions.
• Understands the standard-setting process, including the roles of various parties.

• Project management and strategic thinking:

• Demonstrates strong understanding of the ISSB's strategy including how projects and deliverables support the strategy
• Supports the development of the strategy for nature-related disclosures
• Displays strong project management skills, including the development, implementation and monitoring of project plans and effectively navigating changes to project plans.
• Delegates work effectively and appropriately.
• Conducts effective reviews of the work of colleagues to achieve high-quality and timely deliverables in line with objectives, and to support the development of staff.

• Managing self and relationships:

• Is enthusiastic, proactive, and motivated, working effectively under pressure, and remains positive even when faced with challenges.
• Self-aware. Seeks and learns from feedback. Seeks to grow and continuously improve.
• Demonstrates the Foundation's values.
• Demonstrates professionalism and respect for others.
• Capable of working in a multi-location organisation, demonstrates awareness of cultural and behavioural differences across geographies.
• Encourages and supports colleagues in a collaborative team environment.
• Focused on team's contributions over individual contributions.
• Understands the roles and limitations of collective group responsibility.
• Constructively addresses disagreements and conflicts in a timely manner.
• Shares knowledge and information.
• Flexible and open to change.

• Planning and delivering work:

• Organises and manages own time and work across competing priorities.
• Respects others' time (e.g., providing adequate time for review, considering which issues to escalate to whom, awareness of colleagues' time zones).
• Thinks ahead to identify what is needed to progress the work.
• Sets and adheres to realistic timelines within span of control.
• Takes ownership and responsibility for the quality of the work output, regularly communicating progress and escalating issues appropriately.
• Promptly communicates reasons for changes to plans, as necessary. Strives for continuous improvement, within resources, priorities and deadlines.

• Effective communications:

• Communicates in a concise, clear and well-structured way, appropriately tailored to the audience.
• Presents issues, evidence, analysis and recommendations in a neutral manner. Persuades based on evidence and balanced analysis.
• Drafts and reviews Board papers and due process documents with robust analyses of alternative views, defensible support of recommendation and clear, simple, logical and consistent articulation.
• Uses innovative design to enhance clarity and visual appeal to best convey the big picture.
• Presents effectively to internal and external audiences and competently manages questions and comments.
• Listens actively; understands and respects others' viewpoints; synthesizes and summarizes feedback accurately and completely.
• Advanced proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.