Research Associate

Sustainable Finance Ltd. (SFL) has been at the forefront of shaping and developing the financial services industry's approach to addressing environmental and social issues in its business. Formed in 2003, SFL was instrumental in developing the Equator Principles, and in the past four years has helped to form, implement, environmental and social policies and programs at nearly 40 firms, including training for more than 1500 bankers in environmental and social risk management.

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Sustainable Finance currently has four directors, with senior representatives in Washington DC, New York, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands, as well as regional teams in Canada, Brazil, and South Africa. 

SFL's unique focus, experience and technical expertise are offered through services in four key areas that are designed to build our clients' capacity to manage environmental and social issues within their business. These include: 

1) Strategy and Policy Development
2) Capacity-Building and Training
3) Management Systems
4) Transaction Support and Value Creation 

Position Summary 

Sustainable Finance is seeking a strong Associate to support client teams in North America, and to a lesser extent Europe, in their work with banks on environmental and social risks and opportunities. Ideally, the candidate will work from Washington DC. 

This position reports to the N.A. Director who is based in Washington, DC. 

Responsibilities 

* Research to support consulting engagements including:
o Preparation of market assessments on specific technologies or commodities (e.g. bio-fuels)
o Best practice by industry sub-sector
o Rapid preparation of risk analysis on specific transactions, technologies or fuels
o E&S risk coverage in existing regulatory systems
o More general business needs including staying abreast of current environmental issues, relevant standards, corporate reporting standards and practices

* Knowledge Management: Help develop knowledge management systems for the full team, including external and internal resources

* Assisting with Business Development and Management
o Proposal development
o Assist in business/financial management
o Engagement planning

* Marketing - Making sure the US business is coordinated with the UK in terms of development and use of marketing materials

* Client Service:  Drafting of presentations or other written deliverables including sector specific due diligence materials 

Qualifications 

* Graduate Degree in international relations/policy, environmental policy or management
* 3-5 years experience working with the private sector, environmental NGOs or - preferably - both 
* Solid understanding of social and environmental issues, in particular: climate change; knowledge of the latest trends related to corporate social responsibility
* Capacity to work in an independent and systematic way
* Solution orientation and client-focused approach
* Strong communications skills - written and oral
* Strong attention to detail
* Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
* Demonstrated initiative and follow-through in areas of responsibility required for the position 
* Sense of humor
* Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic virtual environment 

Time Frame: One-month trial for permanent position 

Salary (based on experience) $55,000-$70,000.