GUIDES TO THE UNIVERSITY

Sustainability specialist

Role in a work setting
The role consists in supporting the sustainable growth and transformation process of the corporate business by integrating sustainability into the value chain: sustainability specialists contribute to the definition of the corporate sustainability strategy and support the institutional commitment towards a more sustainable, eco-friendly and socially responsible company.

Typical tasks are:

• Support the design and documentation of the sustainability transformative strategy and roadmap at corporate or divisional level and/or cross-functional work with different company’s functions to actualize the strategy, by encouraging the adoption of innovative solutions, technologies, materials, processes;
• Management of various internal and cross-departmental sustainability projects;
• ESG reporting: design and implement reporting systems to monitor non financial KPIs and sustainability metrics;
• Acting as internal pivot/ambassador to collect and disseminate sustainability-related best practices and innovative approaches, also for internal/external communication purposes, and management of internal co-ownership of the change agenda;
• Monitoring and research of trend reports, policy changes and new regulations to identify potential impact on strategy and to support the roll-out of the relevant international directives;
• Management of key sustainability stakeholders’ relations (including international organizations, government, agencies, NGOs, associations, academia) and lobbying activities towards National and International institutions on sustainability legislative/public policy issues impacting the corporate business.

Skills associated with the role
Knowledge of methodologies and tools to:

• Develop strategies, programs and practices aimed at sustaining the transition of organizations toward sustainability;
• Design and develop new products, processes, systems and business models, exploiting the appropriate technologies, to tackle challenges and opportunities of the sustainable transition;
• Measure the sustainability and impact outcome of projects, processes and activities for management, financial and investment decisions.

Job opportunities 
ESG/CSR/Sustainability Offices or positions in corporates, NGOs and non-profit organizations, innovative start-ups.
 

Sustainability analyst

Role in a work setting
The role consists in:

• Supporting clients in their transition towards sustainable business models, by developing methodologies and tools in order to incorporate sustainability policies into business strategy and investment decisions;
• Performing research, working on reports, drafting position/policy papers to address the most relevant issues related to sustainability.

Typical tasks are:

• Analysis of scenarios and benchmarks; scouting of policies, best practices and new technologies; support for policy development;
• Support in the definition and implementation of sustainable strategic plans, to address the main sustainability issues and topics (e.g. climate change, circular economy, decarbonization);
• Close collaboration with investment professionals to perform analysis, produce an informed opinion and support fundamental integration of relevant insights related to sustainability into investment decisions; development of Social Responsible Investment Plan and support of ESG ratings projects;
• Analysis of sustainability risks, economic, social and environmental impact; definition of ESG KPIs; design of monitoring and reporting systems;
• Draft and review of Sustainability/DNF Reports; ESG due diligence and compliance checks on international principles and guidelines related to sustainability; preparation of draft background papers, policy papers, reports and studies.

Skills associated with the role
Knowledge of methodologies and tools to:

• Analyze strategies, programs and practices aimed at sustaining the transition of organizations toward sustainability;
• Measure the sustainability and impact performance of new products, processes, systems and business models for management, financial and investment decisions;
• Evaluate sustainability programs and activities according to ESG criteria and compliance with relevant principles and standards.

Job opportunities
Consulting companies, financial institutions, international organizations, think tanks, research institutes and academia.