Call for experts – Biodiversity in food and agriculture
ECOS is looking for experts on biodiversity in the Food and Agriculture sectors to represent and defend environmental interests in the development of standards and related policies. Our experts provide us with technical and scientific input and represent ECOS in standardisation processes and multi-stakeholder discussions.
Application deadline: 25 January 2025
The food and agriculture sectors depend on biodiversity for their survival. Decades of over exploitation of natural resources, pollution of water and soil, and the application of chemical pesticides have contributed to the current degraded status of ecosystems.
From biodiversity-friendly sourcing of agricultural raw materials to addressing biodiversity at the company site, there’s an urgent need for actors in the food and agriculture sector – especially food producers and retailers – to include biodiversity considerations in all phases of food production.
Candidates should demonstrate strong commitment to environmental NGO values and have proven written and oral communication and negotiation skills. Fluency in English is required and willingness to travel may be required.
Interested candidates should be able to demonstrate in-depth technical and scientific knowledge of:
- Biodiversity-friendly food production practices, including agroecology and other sustainable farming approaches.
- Biodiversity management for food companies to reduce their impacts on biodiversity and improve biodiversity throughout the whole supply chain.
- Tools and methodologies (e.g. farm-level monitoring; life cycle approaches; natural capital valuation methods) to measure the environmental footprint of food products, related production processes and organisations on the environment.
- Indicators and sustainability criteria related to biodiversity and the food and agriculture sectors.
- Financing solutions to drive biodiversity conservation in the food and agriculture sectors.
In addition, knowledge on the following topics is desirable:
- Support to farmers for biodiversity management and for transitioning towards biodiversity-friendly agriculture.
- Nature-based solutions applied on farms.
- Synergies between biodiversity protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation within food industry contexts.
Interested candidates should be able to demonstrate in-depth technical / scientific knowledge in the topic area. Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental NGO values and have proven written and oral communication and negotiation skills. Experience with and understanding of the policy context and standardisation developments in the subject area will be considered a strong asset. Fluency in English and willingness to travel are required.
The nominated experts will:
- Participate in technical meetings of CEN (and possibly ISO) meetings to promote ECOS position.
- Prepare technical input through official comments and contribution to ECOS position papers.
- Report to and liaise with the responsible ECOS Programme Manager.
- Exchange information with ECOS member organisations and other experts when needed.
ECOS offers:
- A daily fee for preparation of meetings, participation and reporting, as well as other relevant tasks.
- Reimbursement of travel costs.
- Per diem to cover accommodation and subsistence costs.
Please send your CV and cover letter outlining your motivation and demonstrating your suitability to support and represent ECOS to Martina Forbicini <martina.forbicini[at]ecostandard.org> and Samy Porteron <samy.porteron[at]ecostandard.org> by 25 January 2025 COB.
Applications will be assessed by the secretariat on a rolling basis, applying ECOS procurement policy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
