ISSB Technical Staff

Location: Montreal, Canada or Frankfurt, Germany 

Job Purpose: 

The ISSB Technical Staff focused on Human Capital supports research, standard-setting and the development of educational materials on risks and opportunities associated with human capital, including an entity’s own workforce and the workers in its value chain. This includes work on the ISSB’s ongoing research project on human capital, which aims to evaluate the necessity and feasibility of potential human capital-related standard setting. The research builds on evidence of investor interest and evidence of effects on a company’s cashflows, access to finance, and cost of capital, as well as on assessments of existing standards and frameworks and current company disclosure practices.

Reports to: Technical Director

The team: This position sits within the ISSB Technical Staff, the team that supports the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)’s work to develop—in the public interest—IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards that will result in a high-quality, comprehensive global baseline of sustainability disclosures focused on the needs of investors and the financial markets.

Principal accountabilities:

• Evidence-based research – Undertake research on business risks and opportunities associated with sustainability issues and metrics used to understand performance on such risks and opportunities. The focus for this role will be on risks and opportunities related to human capital
• Stakeholder consultation – Act as a credible and authoritative representative of the ISSB by engaging with a wide range of external stakeholders from industry and the investment, regulatory and standard-setting communities, to ascertain their views and to share information.
• Staff analysis and recommendations – Conduct analysis and develop technical proposals for consideration by the ISSB and its advisory committees, and facilitate their decision-making
• Technical papers – Draft due process documents (research papers, discussion papers, requests for information, exposure drafts, ballot drafts and standards).
• Initiate and lead discussions with ISSB members, advisory committees, and working groups.
• Work with IASB Technical Staff when relevant to ensure connectivity and compatibility between the work of the IASB and the ISSB in developing IFRS Accounting and Sustainability Disclosure Standards
• Project management, including coordination of a range of activities to support the delivery of technical projects and coordination across other project work plans
• Contribute to the development of other staff.

Principal accountabilities:

• Evidence-based research – Undertake research on business risks and opportunities associated with sustainability issues and metrics or other disclosures used to understand performance on such risks and opportunities. The focus for this role will be on risks and opportunities related to human capital.
• Stakeholder consultation – Act as a credible and authoritative representative of the ISSB by engaging with a wide range of external stakeholders from industry and from the investment, regulatory and standard-setting communities, to ascertain their views and to share information.
• Staff analysis and recommendations – Conduct analysis and develop technical proposals for consideration by the ISSB and its advisory committees, and facilitate their decision-making.
• Technical papers – Draft due process documents (research papers, discussion papers, requests for information, exposure drafts, ballot drafts and standards).
• Initiate and lead discussions with ISSB members, advisory committees, and working groups.
• Work with IASB Technical Staff when relevant to ensure connectivity and compatibility between the work of the IASB and the ISSB in developing IFRS Accounting and Sustainability Disclosure Standards
• Project management, including coordination of a range of activities to support the delivery of technical projects and coordination across other project work plans.

Qualifications and experience

• Demonstrated project management experience working across a team to keep projects on track and to completion in a fast-moving environment. 
• Strong background in technical analysis, preferably with a focus on financial reporting and/or capital markets.
• Experience in strategic stakeholder relationship management (investor and corporate stakeholders a plus).
• Experience participating in and executing key components of a formal due process or similar principles and practices designed to ensure a rigorous, inclusive and transparent approach to work
• Excellent writing and presentation skills across a range of formats and audiences (technical writing experience is a plus).
• Proficiency in MS Office 365, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and experience with Adobe Workfront or other project management software.   

Competencies

Technical knowledge and thinking abilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of the sustainability and financial reporting landscape, including relevant standards, frameworks and regulations (eg, IFRS S1, GRI standards, ESRS).
• Applies practical knowledge of capital markets and the connection between sustainability-related risks and opportunities—particularly those associated with human capital—and value creation.
• Analyses sustainability issues through the lens of investment risk and return and understands how investors use disclosed information to assess a company’s prospects.
• Synthesises information and proposes well-reasoned recommendations, drawing out implications, including cost/benefit analysis.
• Understands the standard-setting process, including the roles of various parties involved.
• Shows rigour, consistency and attention to detail in work.
• Displays impartiality, balance and openness in developing and defending proposals and in accepting alternative views.

Project management and strategic thinking:

• Demonstrates strong understanding of the ISSB’s remit, including how projects and deliverables support the Board’s objectives.
• Supports the ongoing development and refinement of the strategy for the ISSB’s Human Capital project.
• Displays strong project managements skills, including the development, implementation, execution and maintenance of project plans, including effectively navigating changes to those plans.
• Delegates work effectively and appropriately.

Managing self and relationships:

• Demonstrates enthusiasm, motivation and a proactive attitude, remaining positive under pressure and open to change.
• Is self-aware and committed to continuous learning and improvement through feedback.
• Embodies the IFRS Foundation’s values and consistently demonstrates professionalism and respect for others.
• Understands and respects cultural and behavioural differences in a multi-location organisation.
• Encourages and supports colleagues in a collaborative team environment, prioritising team contributions over individual ones.
• Shares knowledge openly and addresses disagreements promptly and constructively.

Planning and delivering work:

• Organises and manages own time and work across competing priorities.
• Respects others' time (eg, providing adequate time for review, considering which issues to escalate to whom, awareness of colleagues’ time zones).
• Thinks ahead to identify what is needed to progress the work, setting and adhering to realistic timelines within span of control.
• Takes ownership and responsibility for the quality of the work output, regularly communicating progress and escalating issues appropriately.

Effective communications:

• Communicates in a concise, clear and well-structured way, appropriately tailored to the audience.
• Presents issues, evidence, analysis and recommendations in a neutral manner. Persuades based on evidence and balanced analysis.
• Drafts and reviews Board papers and due process documents with robust analyses of alternative views, defensible support of recommendation and clear, simple, logical and consistent articulation.
• Presents effectively to internal and external audiences and competently manages questions and comments.
• Listens actively; understands and respects others' viewpoints; synthesises and summarises feedback accurately and completely.
• Demonstrates advanced proficiency in both written and spoken English (required).

Please note: This is a two-year full-time contract with full benefits.

 

Closing Date: ongoing

Please note that while we don't have a closing date for this application, we reserve the right to interview candidates and potentially close the role early should we find a suitable candidate.

 

About us

One Foundation. One mission.

At the IFRS Foundation, we believe better information leads to better decisions. We set financial reporting standards that enable companies to meet the evolving information needs of the global capital markets. United by our purpose to foster trust, growth and long-term financial stability in the global economy, we engage in challenging, meaningful work every day—across all our areas of expertise.

If you share our passion for this mission, we want to hear from you.

Diverse perspectives. International expertise.

Working for our global organisation offers many benefits, including:

• rewarding work that serves the public interest;
• engagement with diverse international experts;
• inclusive and collaborative teams;
• intellectually challenging projects;
• flexible working arrangements;
• numerous areas of specialisation; and
• opportunities for professional growth and development.

Diversity and inclusion are seen as key strengths of our organisation. These qualities are essential for us to engage with and meet the needs of our varied global stakeholders, and they are part of what makes the IFRS Foundation a great place to work.