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A global standard for investing into the sustainable development goals

An asset owner led approach based on AI technology

Vacancy - Researcher SDI Asset Owner Platform

Background:
The Sustainable Development Investments Asset Owner Platform (SDI AOP) has established a framework for identifying revenues aligned with the UN SDGs and applies artificial intelligence to collect this data. There is an ongoing effort to refine and maintain this approach to ensure both positive and negative contributions are reflected in the data. The SDI AOP is also considering a number of products innovations such as forward looking indicators, and also how to extend the data collected to capture the outcomes/impact of the products and services covered by its framework. Some of the leading asset owners and asset managers in the world are subscribers to the SDI AOP. It’s our ambition to set a global standard for investing into the sustainable development goals.

Responsibilities include:

  • To research topics for inclusion in the SDI taxonomy and present them to the research committee for consideration/approval.
  • To conduct analysis into company-level outcome/impact metrics to align with industry standards (eg GIIN IRIS+) and test the developed approach on a sample of global companies or global companies with long supply chains or global companies in typical institutional investor universe.
  • To explore future product development ideas across asset classes and forward-looking metrics
  • To work with our AI partners to identify the language and data points required for future AI applications
  • To engage with asset owners on their requirements for SDG-related products
  • To produce research papers, blogs and articles on emerging issues and data findings
  • To support the Research Director in maintaining and reviewing the SDI classification and related processes


Requirements:
This is a junior role which would suit a recent graduate or someone with a couple of years’ research experience.

  • Academic background in relevant subjects for sustainable development and/or finance
  • Experience of company level analysis and comparison
  • Passion for working in responsible investment
  • Strong research and organisation skills
  • MS Office capability and data analysis proficiency
  • Excellent written and spoken English


Organisation:
The Design Authority is asset owner-led and comprised of APG, AustralianSuper, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation and PGGM. The role reports to the independent Research Director and involves interaction with responsible investment experts at the DA member organizations, and our technology partner Entis. The success of the SDI AOP is based on applying core principles of credibility, transparency and objectivity in its research approach.

  • Location is flexible – homebased UK or Netherlands preferred
  • Remuneration depending on experience
  • Initial 12 month contract with potential for extension


Application:
Please send one page outlining why you are interested and what you can bring to the organisation, along with your CV to vacancy@sdi-aop.org before 15 January 2023. Click here to download the full vacancy text.