Executive Secretary Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels Lausanne, Switzerland

Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels
Ensuring that biofuels deliver on their promise of sustainability


Job Description
Executive Secretary of the RSB

The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) is an international non-profit organization bringing together farmers, corporations, non-governmental organizations, experts, governmental- and inter-governmental agencies concerned with ensuring the sustainability of biofuels’ production and processing. The membership of the RSB comes from all continents and covers all sectors along the supply chain of biofuel production and retail.

The RSB operates as a multi-stakeholder consensus process, and has developed sustainability standards for biofuels over several years. The current Version 2 of the standards was approved at the end of 2010, and now serves as the basis for certification. The RSB works closely with the RSB Services Foundation, which manages the certification system.

After more than four years of enjoying the institutional support of the Ecole politechnique fédéral de Lausanne (EPFL, Switzerland), the RSB is in the process of spinning out and establishing itself as an incorporated non-profit association based in Switzerland. We are searching for an excellent strategic thinker and communicator to lead the RSB and its Secretariat into this new phase, starting as soon as possible but ideally no later than 1 January 2013.

Overview of Position:

The Executive Secretary is responsible for implementing the RSB strategy and workplan, including managing a small team of employees and consultants. Fundraising, external communications, budgeting, and strategic planning for the RSB are the key responsibilities of this position. The Executive Secretary requires the ability to manage a flexible and dynamic organization operating in a rapidly changing industry.

Specific duties include:

• Strategy and organizational development of the RSB
o Maintain working relationships with the RSB Board of Directors and manage all Board of Directors’ meetings and reports.
o Work with the RSB Board of Directors to develop a long-term strategy for the RSB.
o Develop and implement a 3-5 year organizational development plan for the RSB and its Secretariat.
o Identify and recruit key stakeholders to participate in the RSB processes.
o Maintain close relationships with the RSB membership and other key stakeholders.
o Represent the RSB in conferences, meetings and media.


• Development of the RSB standards
o Maintain working relations with the RSB’s Assembly of Delegates and manage its meetings and reports.
o Manage standard development processes that enable stakeholders from the civil society, the private sector and international organizations to participate actively.
o Facilitate negotiations among the seven RSB Chambers in order to ensure successful conclusion of standards and other decisions.
o Design and implement pilot projects to test the standards in collaboration with partner organizations.

• Collaboration on Implementation of the RSB standards
o Partner with the Board of Directors and the management team of the RSB Services Foundation, the organization responsible to run the RSB certification system.
o Work with international organizations and governmental agencies that are interested in using the RSB standards in their areas of activities.
o Present the achievements of the RSB in conferences and meetings.

• Fund raising
o Work with the Board of Directors to formulate and implement a fund raising strategy.
o Identify outside funding opportunities from foundations as well as private and public sector partners, and oversee all grant applications and reporting.

• • Management of the RSB Secretariat.
o Recruit and manage a team of three (and more) staff in Lausanne, as well as additional consultants for special projects.
o Prepare and implement decisions of the Board of Directors and the Assembly of Delegates.
o Assist the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and the chairpersons of the RSB Chambers in their tasks.
o Prepare and implement a communication and outreach strategy.
o Manage the RSB membership.
o Ensure that RSB activities remain within the budget.


Qualifications, experiences and skills:

• Expertise in sustainability challenges in international supply chains and in different agricultural systems.
• 7 year of relevant professional experience at the international level with biofuels, agricultural management systems, standard-setting, certification, and/or consensus-building.

• Quick learner with ability to understand complex scientific and social development topics.
• Clear and convincing communicator in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Strategic, holistic and pragmatic thinker.
• Effective team builder, coordinator and motivator.

• Fluency in English required. Proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Portuguese a plus.
• Master’s degree or equivalent required.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook software.
• International travel required (25-30%).


Based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Reports to: The Board of Directors of the RSB.

To apply, please send a cover letter, a detailed CV, and the contact details for two references to alwin.kopse@gmail.com and maarten@skynrg.com, with the subject heading ‘Candidate – Executive Secretary RSB’ no later than September 30, 2012. All applications are confidential. No phone calls please.