Head of Climate and Natural Capital

The organisation

For an international agri-business operating in over 60 countries, supplying food, food ingredients and packaged foods to over 20,000 customers worldwide, AFF Recruitment & Executive Search is searching for the new Head of Climate and Natural Capital, to be based out of the London or Amsterdam office.

The position

The world is facing a global climate crisis and a global biodiversity crisis, to which unsustainable agriculture and associated habitat loss and degradation are huge contributors. Feeding 10 billion people sustainably by 2050, within the planetary boundaries, is the greatest challenge of our lifetime.

The company is looking for a leader in environmental sustainability, with the drive to re-imagine global agriculture and food systems at the heart of the world's most ambitious and entrepreneurial food and ingredients business. The Head of Climate and Natural Capital will be shaping and leading the team to transform the way the company creates positive impact on climate, biodiversity, soils, water and waste, and help set the standards for the wider industry. 

You will lead efforts to grow an outstanding global portfolio of environmentally regenerative supply chains and Climate Action programmes based around our estates and farming operations, and across highly diverse supply chains; helping to reduce the greenhouse gas footprint in line with the ambitious Science Based Targets (SBT) for climate, and generating multiple social and environmental benefits in the landscapes where we operate. The company's Climate Action portfolio will generate business value through verified Carbon credits and SBT-linked GHG reductions, for use in the internal carbon exchange, for sale in global carbon markets, and as a commercial offering to customers. 

As Head of Climate and Natural Capital, you will be at the forefront of setting the environment strategy and agenda, as well as devising and driving projects that simultaneously provide climate, environmental and business value, fulfilling the company's purpose to re-imagine global agriculture and food systems.

The company is an industry leader when it comes to sustainability, pioneering in climate-smart and environmentally sustainable food production. Its efforts include ambitious Science Based Targets to drive a reversal in greenhouse gas emissions through climate smart, biodiversity friendly agriculture and supply chains. 

Tasks & responsibilities

• Further develop the company's environmental strategy, action and engagement with stakeholders to deliver results
• Lead and manage the Climate and Natural Capital team to drive improvements, efficiencies and positieve change in the company's performance on the environmental areas of Climate Action, Water, Soils, Ecosystems and Waste - while supporting multi-capital value creation
• Work with internal colleagues to coordinate, manage and grow the company's portfolio of Climate Action projects and regenerative agriculture programmes, to meet climate and environment targets and generate value from emissions reductions
• Guide the company's response to emerging risks in climate, biodiversity and water, in collaboration with the Risk and Finance departments, to integrate climate change and environmental performance into ongoing work (Climate-related risk, Integrated Impact Statement, Finance 4 Sustainability etc.)
• Be the company spokesperson for partnerships with third parties (governments, multi-laterals, civil society, universities), including alliances to lead action on climate, biodiversity, water, soil and waste
• Set and track progress of environmental performance indicators 
• Lead on emerging Climate Action and regenerative agriculture technologies 
• The Head of Climate and Natural Capital will report to the Chief Sustainability Officer. 

Candidate profile

• 15+ years in relevant roles, including significant experience within within large organisations, with a proven track record in driving adoption of positive environmental impacts in relevant projects and programmes
• Technical expertise and experience in climate smart agriculture, natural climate solutions and working with internationally recognised carbon standards, verification and reporting. Professionals with experience in developing and managing agri and forest climate projects are specifically asked to reply
• Entrepreneurial, can-do spirit. Enjoys working in a large organization that at the same time has a family feel, with an ambitious and driven team and colleagues
• Outstanding programme management and organisational skills, including a high level of team management and goal-setting, team skills development, workflow and budget management, and a focus on delivery. 

Interested?

You can apply to this position by using the link below.

Procedure

• Selection based on resume
• Intake with AFF Recruitment & Executive Search
• 4 round of interviews
• References
• Terms of employment interview