External Affairs & Engagement Specialist

External Affairs & Engagement Specialist

Based in Paris (France), Toronto (Canada), Washington (US), London (UK) or Brussels (Belgium)

Full-time position, Permanent contract

Field travels: up to 30%

Beginning: ASAP

ABOUT PUR

PUR is a global leader in the design, development and implementation of nature-based solutions implemented in agricultural landscapes, and invested in by Corporate Partners to address their Scope 3 carbon emissions while improving biodiversity, ecosystem services and the livelihoods of local communities. Many of PUR’s projects fall within the categories of value chain linked in initiatives centered on regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, forest conservation, reforestation, and coastal and marine restoration, in temperate and tropical countries.

PUR works directly with, and on behalf of, the world’s largest food and beverage, cosmetics, and fashion brands; as well as select complementary technology, finance and service organizations. 

www.pur.co

ROLE

PUR is seeking an External Affairs Lead for PUR’s global teams in the structured management, analysis and engagement of policy, framework, and strategic partnership related topics, including but not limited to global and national carbon, biodiversity and related policies, certifications, and accounting frameworks. The successful candidate will have experience engaging and collaborating with government bodies and policy makers, international organizations and impact accounting and certification organizations.

Their role will be to centralize strategy for how PUR engages with policy makers, government, certification bodies and accounting frameworks, working with PUR’s internal teams to empower them on these topics in their respective scopes.

The successful candidate will report directly to the Chief of Product based in Toronto, Canada.

The main responsibilities in a non-exhaustive manner of this ambitious role will be:

External Affairs Strategy & Management

• Formalize strategy for Policy, Framework and Industry Initiative Engagement, under leadership of CPO and in coordination with CMO/CCO
• Expectation is to have material participation and engagement in key prioritized initiatives at minimum to include:
• Government: UNFCCC, Country Level NDCs/Government, Relevant Local Government Bodies Affecting Policy Additionality
• Frameworks: VCS, Verra SDVista + Nature Framework, Gold Standard, VCI, GHG Protocol, OP2B, SBTN, TNFD
• Industry Initiatives: International Platform for Insetting, the World Cocoa Foundation, Sustainable Coffee Challenge, Article 6 Partnership, LEAF Coalition

Policy Analysis & Engagement:

• Lead development of a Policy Analytical Framework and a Policy Dashboard, to be applied for analysis across PUR’s existing project countries (and potential future regions as part of the Feasibility Study Process);
• Manage the execution of the Analytical Framework across priority countries in 2024, with further roll out in 2025; &
• Manage development, and support coordination and implementation of, Policy Engagement Strategy with local regional and country managers on a per country basis to ensure robust placement of PUR’s projects within their respective regions and to inform future policy of relevance through strategy engagement.

• Lead development of Framework Tracker & Alignment Analysis Framework for continual monitoring and review of Framework evolutions relative to PUR’s product;

• Manage the day to day responsibilities for framework engagement including workstream participation, identification of new material, analysis, internal publishing of information and strategic incorporation of new material into product development;
• Effectively manage Framework Consultations, consolidating internal PUR stakeholder needs and material for constructive submissions to surveys, working groups, requests for information etc.

Strategic Partnerships:

Through the management of the Strategic Partnerships Manager:

• Develop a comprehensive and prioritized strategic partnerships strategy which aligns with PUR’s medium and long-term goals for business development and technical advancement;

      At minimum to include:

      Thought Leadership Partners

      MRV/Service Partners

      Co-Offer Partners

   .  Working Groups

Advise and Support the Strategic Partnerships Manager with Partnership Development & Management scope:

• Support of key topic leads and specialists, engage prospective Strategic Partners for co-development of potential partnership opportunities ensuring to further and protect the interests of PUR in development and negotiations; managing contract and agreement workflow with Legal Team; &
• Define, with CPO and CMO, opportunities to leverage Partnerships for material visibility in the market – through combined product/initiative launches, collaborative publications, events, webinars etc.

We are looking for a candidate with :

• Masters or equivalent degree from a broad range of disciplines will be considered including environmental science, development, public affairs, government relations, climate or natural resource policy.

• Minimum 10 years relevant industry or academic experience; including direct engagement with Government or relevant institutions at senior levels.

• Strong knowledge, experience and comfort working with diverse and international teams on the simple communication of technical topics.

• At least 6 years of experiences in External Affair topics.
• Ability to start a position from scratch 
• Fluent in English. French and/or Spanish is considered an asset.