Position: Environmental Impact Research Associate
Location: Remote | Anywhere in the United States 
Salary: $95,000
Reports to: Environmental Impact Manager

Who we are: 
The International Foundation for Valuing Impacts (IFVI) is a newly formed organization building upon the work incubated at the Impact-Weighted Accounts project at Harvard Business School. Our mission is to build a global impact economy, which brings solutions to the great social and environmental challenges we face, by integrating impact valuation in financial analysis, capital allocation, and decision-making.

The Role:
The Environmental Impact Associate will be part of the IFVI Research Team, responsible for developing a comprehensive and standardized approach to corporate impact valuation in alignment with the vision of IFVI.

Reporting to the Environment Impact Manager, the Associate will be responsible for developing rigorous analyses that enhance the environmental impact methodology considering topics around greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, water pollution, and biodiversity. Future work will also explore the application of our methodologies for impact accounting across firms and investors. The Associate will work closely with the Environmental Impact Manager, the Research Team, and our partners at the Value Balancing Alliance to adapt and iterate the methodology based on an evolving corporate disclosure landscape and ongoing learning from market testing of impact valuation.

Who you are:
You are an early career professional with demonstrated research and critical thinking skills and a passion for environmental issues and corporate impact measurement. You are intellectually curious and can ask tough questions to get to a thorough understanding of a problem. You can effectively communicate complex work to broad audiences, synthesizing diverse perspectives. You enjoy working independently as well as part of a small, dynamic team. You share a commitment to IFVI’s mission and want to take an active role in our organization’s success.

What you’ll do:

Research environmental impact pathways, the logical sequence of events that link a corporation’s actions with various effects on society

  • Review relevant research literature on impact valuation methodologies for corporations, including research into environmental impact
  • Review relevant industry standards and recommend areas for alignment


Develop quantitative methodologies for measuring and valuing the environmental impact of corporations, striking a balance between rigor and feasibility

  • Working closely with the Environmental Impact Manager, develop novel techniques and approaches for impact valuation
  • Consult with relevant internal and external researchers and subject matter experts to better understand approaches and models to value environmental impacts
  • Apply complex research concepts, methodologies, and data sources to the design and implementation of environmental impact valuation


Collaborate with the Research Team and others at IFVI to

  • Achieve alignment and consistency across all methodologies (general, environmental, social) produced by IFVI
  • Engage with stakeholders from industry to ensure that methodologies are comprehensive and feasible
  • Support other research related to the mission of IFVI, such as researching trends and insights from the application of impact accounting at scale
  • Support the Market Development and Communications teams to accelerate market testing of impact valuation and to design tools and education materials to drive adoption of the impact valuation methodology
  • Create an inclusive and positive workplace culture

 
What we are looking for:

  • 2-3 years of experience in a field relevant to sustainability, ESG, environmental impact, or impact investing
  • Experience analyzing and interpreting environmental data relevant to businesses. This may include but is not limited to experience with GHG emissions, water consumption, water or air pollution, waste, or biodiversity
  • Excellent critical thinking skills, including ability to examine issues from multiple perspectives, ask tough questions, and reason through unstructured problems
  • Evidence of strong independent research including analysis and interpretation of diverse data-drive sources such as academic articles, policy literature, and industry standards.
  • Strong technical experience with quantitative and qualitative research design and techniques, including data collection, data management, modeling, and multivariate statistical analysis including use of tools such as SQL, R, or Python. Proficiency in Microsoft Office. 
  • Creative, analytical thinking and problem solving, including capacity to balance both big picture considerations with minute details
  • Ability to communicate complex topics in a compelling way to meet the needs of different audiences (e.g. investors, corporates, academics, public sector)
  • Familiarity with relevant sustainability standards in data, disclosure, and reporting landscape, such as the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the EU Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), etc. 
  • A demonstrated commitment to supporting and enhancing an inclusive workplace environment
  • Experience or willingness to work within a flexible and entrepreneurial environment and responsiveness to feedback
  • International experience, working across cultures, and foreign language competency is a plus
  • Flexibility to hold meetings across multiple time zones as necessary


There are many backgrounds and combinations of skills and experiences that could be an excellent fit for this position. We are looking for exceptional people and highly encourage you to apply.

 

What we offer: 

  • Ability to shape IFVI’s culture and strategy 
  • A workplace that prioritizes health and wellbeing and personal growth
  • Generous PTO and competitive benefits, including paid parental leave
  • Access to coworking space or stipend for home office arrangements
  • Flexible work hours


The starting salary for this position at the Associate level is $95,000. During the interview process, we will consider a candidate’s full experience and may adjust the job title and starting salary as appropriate.

Please note that IFVI does not file petitions with USCIS for new hires at this time.

The International Foundation for Valuing Impacts is an equal opportunity employer. At IFVI, we celebrate differences and hire individuals based solely on a person’s skills and qualifications directly related to the key attributes and experience required to be successful in the role. IFVI does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, (or related condition) or any other basis protected by law. If you require a reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please reach out to contact@ifvi.org.

This position has been filled. Would you like to see our other open positions?