Consultant (Biodiversity & Nature)

About Us

EcoAct is an international climate consultancy and project developer that supports companies to set robust science-aligned net-zero strategies and achieve their climate targets. Founded in France in 2005, the company now spans three continents with offices in Paris, London, Barcelona, New York, Montreal, Munich, Milan, and Kenya.

With a team of more than 300 international climate experts, EcoAct’s core purpose is to lead the way in delivering sustainable business solutions that deliver true value for both climate and client. EcoAct is a CDP Gold Partner, a founding member of ICROA, a strategic partner in the implementation of the Gold Standard for the Global Goals and reports to the UN Global Compact.

About the role

Our consultants help our clients create business value through carbon, energy, biodiversity and sustainability management. They help them to understand their impacts, risks and dependencies on nature and then go beyond measurement to create achievable management plans and to communicate their achievements.

As part of a team, our consultant will contribute to our overall consultancy function and take responsibility for managing and delivering a range of nature, carbon, energy and sustainability projects.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables:

• Developing and delivering Biodiversity Footprinting and risk assessment projects for key clients
• Spearhead the development and execution of Science-Based Targets (SBT) for Forest Land & Agriculture (FLAG) projects for our primary clients.
• Identify and merge the connections and mutual benefits between Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) and SBT FLAG into our service portfolio.
• Engaging and developing with our project development team to establish no net loss/net gain and/or nature positive outcomes (at site or portfolio level)
• Explore and establish broader relationships between Biodiversity & Nature evaluations and extended mitigation strategies beyond the value chain, such as carbon offsetting. This includes initiating projects and developing biodiversity credits.
• Seek and foster broader connections between Biodiversity & Nature and our extensive services, which include sustainability reporting, Scope 3 emissions assessments, Life Cycle Analysis, and disclosures to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).
• Developing and delivering SBT Forest Land & Agricultural (FLAG) projects and biodiversity impact, risks and dependency assessments for key clients
• Identifying links & synergies between SBTN and SBT FLAG, and folding these into our offerings
• Engaging and developing with our project development team to establish no net loss/net gain and/or nature positive outcomes (at site or portfolio level)
• Identifying and developing wider links between Biodiversity & Nature assessments, and wider beyond value chain mitigation actions (carbon offsetting), including project development and biodiversity credits
• Identifying and developing wider links between Biodiversity & Nature, and our wider offerings including reporting, Scope 3 assessments, Life Cycle Analysis and CDP
• Supporting and project managing a wide variety of projects across the A-Zero spectrum of the EcoAct offering, including: SBTis, Corporate Carbon Footprints, Compliance including but not limited to SECR, CSRD, Emission Trading System (ETS).
• Supporting and project managing on Measurement and Reporting Systems (MRS), CDP, Environmental and Energy Management systems, Climate Finance, Life Cycle Assessment and Scope 3 Assessments.
• Contributing to firm building and identifying improvements in our service offerings.
• Confidently presenting to and leading client calls on project scope and deliverables. Fostering client relationships supporting them in their net zero journey.
• Working with large data sets carrying out data cleansing and analysis.
• Producing findings reports following research and communicate recommendations to the wider team.

Relationships

Reporting to a senior member of the Advisory Team, the consultant will be required to work closely with all members of the team, both advisory and sales, to achieve Company objectives. External relationships are a key part of the role, with a requirement to liaise with project teams, clients, overseas offices, and representatives from partner organisations.

Professional Background and Experience

Multiple years’ post-graduate experience of working within sustainability services and have supported on a range of projects, ideally demonstrated through client consulting engagements in the private sector.

Expertise on some of the following areas and a willingness to learn others is required:

Technical:

• An undergraduate degree in ecological, biological, biophysical or social science required. Relevant post-graduate degree desired but not essential.
• Understanding of key global biodiversity challenges, targets and standards
• Technical background in ecology, terrestrial and/or marine biodiversity, and/or ecosystem services is required.
• Experience establishing and delivering no net loss/net gain and/or nature positive outcomes (at site or portfolio level) preferable
• Familiarity with major biodiversity safeguards and standards, such as IFC Performance Standard 6 and the Equator Principles, is desired.
• Experience working with and applying major biodiversity reporting standards (e.g., TNFD, CSRD, SBTN, etc.) is advantageous.
• Detailed knowledge of issues surrounding climate change, energy, greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability.
• Familiarity with biodiversity assessment tools such as Global Biodiversity Score (GBS) would be an asset.
• Working knowledge and experience of carbon accounting, carbon measurement techniques and calculation methods for Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
• Excellent data handling skills and advanced knowledge of Excel is essential in this role
• Familiarity with a range of approaches to target setting including science-based target methodologies, CDP, climate-related risk assessment and scenario analysis
• Familiarity with the recommendations of TCFD, ISSB and other guiding bodies to help companies manage and prepare against the impact of climate change
• Detailed understanding of UK legislative frameworks, such as SECR.

Professional:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to produce well-presented, error-free results
• Experience and/or ability to work in a consultative manner to understand client needs and guide them to a solution, preferably demonstrated through client consulting engagements in the private sector
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage complex project deliveries across multiple simultaneous client engagements
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to speak and present information with confidence in front of an audience, lead client workshops and represent EcoAct externally
• Effective writing skills, with an ability to write concise, compelling, and well-structured documents and reports
• Commitment to supporting the team in a growing and dynamic business
• Developing intellectual and commercial assets within the company, with a focus on continuous improvement
• An ability to see the ‘big picture’, as well as focus on the detail.

Location

The role is based in the UK with a flexible blend of home and office working. The role requires attendance at the London head office as necessary for business purposes.

Salary and Benefits

EcoAct know how important it is to look after our colleagues. As well as a competitive salary, EcoAct offers a comprehensive benefits package including a flexible pension allowance, private medical insurance, life insurance, professional subscriptions plus the option to opt into a range of individual and family benefits.

EcoAct offers great opportunities for your personal development and career advancement. We offer a structured career development path with clear timelines and expectations for progression.

Working with our dedicated team of experts, you will gain a high standard of skills development and expertise, starting with our in-depth induction programme, through to ongoing technical training and an extensive range of learning and development opportunities.

Company Culture

Company culture is of great importance to us and is something that every member of EcoAct helps to create. Our colleague led initiative, which represents the three pillars of Colleagues, Community and Environment, runs numerous activities including, Veggie lunches, volunteering and fund-raising opportunities, wellbeing activities, plastic reduction and energy saving initiatives, social and sports events.

Employee well-being is a key priority for us, and we recognise the importance of work-life balance and how EcoAct can be supportive of individual needs; working from home, working part-time or flexible start and finish times can all be accommodated.