Responsible Sourcing Specialist, UK

NEPCon (Nature, Economy and People Connected) is a non-profit organisation that works for sustainable land use and climate-friendly solutions. With 200+ staff around the world, our projects build capacity, raise awareness, conserve nature and streamline sustainability through innovation.

NEPCon’s activities and geographical reach are growing, and we are therefore seeking an experienced and enthusiastic professional to support the provision of our responsible sourcing services in UK, Ireland and globally.

The role will include providing advisory services to a global portfolio of clients in the timber sector and beyond, as well as supporting sales and marketing of NEPCon services. As Responsible Sourcing Specialist you will be working within these main areas:

Timber Legality:

• You will work with NEPCon’s clients in the UK and Ireland to support them in sourcing legal and responsible wood. This will include scheduling and conducting risk assessment and mitigation activities, aimed at meeting the requirements of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) as well as clients’ bespoke sustainability criteria.  
• You will support the NEPCon Solutions team to conduct risk assessments, and liaise with regional teams in China, Africa, SE Asia and other source countries to assess the risk of illegal timber in supply chains.
• You will also work closely with companies to implement solutions to problems, through training, creation of documented due diligence systems, and providing support with implementation.

Responsible Sourcing:

• Assist the development and provision of NEPCon’s new ResponsibleSource service, aimed at supporting companies to mainstream sustainability into their business practices. The service helps companies create and implement sustainability policies; provides training and support for implementation; and maps and assesses risk in supply chains. Besides timber products, this service focuses on forest-impact commodities, such as oil palm, soy and beef.
• An important aspect of this work is auditing against the LegalSource and ResponsibleSource standards.

Sales & Marketing:

• Conduct sales and marketing activities to raise the profile of NEPCon in the UK and Ireland. This will include creation of marketing and sales materials, conducting sales meetings, creating budgets and proposals, attending stakeholder events and conferences, sales meetings and other activities.

Professional requirements

• Higher education (at least bachelor's degree) in the field of forestry, biology, geography, environmental management, law, international development, international policy, or related field.
• Ideally you have 3+ years’ work experience in the timber processing/trading, certification or related sector.
• Excellent spoken and written English. Fluency in French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese or Vietnamese will be considered an additional asset.
• Knowledge of, or experience working in, one or more of the following areas: timber processing industry, wood trade, forest management, nature protection, wood biomass industry, or similar area.
• Knowledge of forestry legislation and policy context, as well as associated laws around transport and trade of timber products.
• Knowledge of, or experience working with, Chain of Custody systems and traceability systems for wood products.
• Understanding of risk-based approaches to legality and sustainability assessments.
• Proficiency in the MS Office package and good understanding of administrative IT systems.

Personal qualities

As a Responsible Sourcing Specialist, you will need to find the balance between serving the clients and at the same time not compromising your independent role and mindset of an auditor. You must have a high level of integrity and business ethics combined with customer service skills.

On top of that:

• You have a high level of self-discipline, an ability to organise and manage yourself and your time to meet deadlines, as well as the ability to make independent decisions, since the nature of the job requires you to work independently and remotely from your colleagues.
• You are willing and able to travel internationally as part of your job role.
• You have an analytical approach and are able to identify non-conformities and risks when assessing client procedures.
• You are a confident public speaker, and able to provide training to a variety of audiences and represent NEPCon at external events.
• You are an open and friendly person, who is good at and enjoys communicating with people on all levels.
• You are a constructive team-player and have an open attitude towards other cultures, as we collaborate across borders in our organisation.
• You are comfortable working in a remote-working environment, where most communication with colleagues around the world occurs via email, skype and telephone.

Position details

• Work time: 40 hours/week  
• The position reports to the NEPCon Solutions Deputy Director for Europe, Russia & Africa
• Working location: NEPCon’s London office (CAN Mezzanine, 49-51 East Road, London N1 6AH), or working from home in the UK
• Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience
• Expected starting date: 1 May 2019

We offer

• International training in certification services provided by NEPCon
• International travel opportunities
• An exciting and challenging position within a dynamic and innovative international organisation with a mission-driven work atmosphere
• A friendly, international team of colleagues, with a pleasant work environment
• Excellent opportunities for growth and professional development
• All employees are members of the organisation and have the opportunity to contribute to the overall development of NEPCon through the annual General Assembly

How to apply?

Please submit your CV and letter of application (in English), including salary expectations, by 10 March 2019 via the application form on the NEPCon website: https://www.nepcon.org/careers/responsible-sourcing-specialist-uk

Please note: Only applicants legally eligible to work in the UK will be considered.

NEPCon wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.