the opportunity

New Forests seeks to be the leading investment manager and is developing institutional investment strategies that address the intersecting imperatives of sustainable landscape management, nature-based solutions for a net zero and nature-positive future, shared prosperity with stakeholders, and the circular bioeconomy.

Reporting to the Head of Sustainability, the Senior Analyst, Sustainability will support the development and continual improvement of New Forests’ group-wide strategies, policies, programs, and disclosures related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and impact. Specifically, the Senior Analyst, Sustainability will support the execution of New Forests’ Responsible Investment (RI) Policy and Social and Environmental Management System (SEMS) and will assist in reporting on ESG and impact performance at the group-level both internally and externally. The role will also have exposure to New Forests’ regional Investments and Operations teams and will support integration of group-wide RI, Sustainability, and Impact policies and programs at the regional level.

New Forests is a global investment manager of nature-based real assets and natural capital strategies, with AUD 8.7 billion (USD 6.5 billion) in assets under management across 1.1 million hectares (2.6 million acres) of investments. We manage a diversified portfolio of sustainable timber plantations and conservation areas, carbon and conservation finance projects, agriculture, timber processing and infrastructure. We aim to generate shared prosperity for our clients and the communities in which we operate and accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. New Forests’ vision is to see investment in land use and forestry as central to the transition to a sustainable future. To achieve this vision, New Forests’ investment strategies support the role of forests as nature-based solutions, provide sustainable wood fibre for the growing circular bioeconomy, and contribute to the sustainable development of regional economies and rural communities.

Headquartered in Sydney, New Forests is a Certified B Corp and operates in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Africa and the United States.

Responsibilities:

• Support development of and compliance with New Forests’ RI Policy and Social and Environmental Management System (SEMS) including:
  • Support the review of existing policies and develop new policies and systems to achieve continual improvement
  • Support development of new best practice guidance on priority or emerging issues e.g. climate risk assessment, ESG due diligence, and new asset classes (e.g. agriculture, carbon and biodiversity markets)
  • Support investments and operations teams to integrate RI, sustainability and impact within their processes and decision making 
  • Assist with and eventually lead internal SEMS audits
• Continued evolution and improvement in New Forests’ RI, sustainability, and impact outcomes and initiatives
  • Support market research on key trends and opportunities in responsible investment affecting institutional funds management, e.g. Net Zero portfolios, Task Force for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), tokenisation of nature, carbon markets, and Sustainable Finance legislation
  • Support the development and achievement of group-wide and regional impact target
  • Support the development and achievement of group-wide and regional improvement plans for addressing key ESG issues including net zero emissions, nature positive, shared prosperity, and circular bioeconomy
  • Support New Forests’ participation in collaborative initiatives e.g. regional and international standards development, climate and biodiversity initiatives
  • Support implementing group-wide responses to cross-fund ESG issues, including working with risk and compliance, governance, and fund teams
  • Support corporate sustainability programs, including emissions reductions and B-Corporation obligations
• Support ESG reporting to relevant stakeholders
  • Assist with data collection, database maintenance, and analysis of ESG and impact measurement data as part of sustainability benchmarking
  • Assist with preparation of New Forests Annual Sustainability Report and meeting external ESG reporting requirements including the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Net Zero Asset Manager Initiative, CDP, Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures and Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures 
  • Support other content generation on thematic sustainability issues for internal, external, and investor audiences o Support internal and external ESG training and presentations

We are seeking candidates with the following:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, environmental or social science, liberal arts, or equivalent 
• Demonstrated experience in ESG, sustainability or impact issues, management and/or reporting
• A depth of experience in RI, investment, sustainability, impact, or similar role
• A strong understanding of ESG issues, especially social issues • Familiarity with global environmental and social policy and agendas, including the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to distill and synthesise technical sustainability information for various audiences, including investors, peers, and other stakeholders
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
• Excellent time management and organisational skills including ability to manage, delegate and ensure completion of several competing tasks and objectives
• Attention to detail and ability to effectively review and organise information and data
• An ability to work independently and prioritise effectively • Ability to build strong relationships and work within a team environment

What can we offer?

Our environment is busy and supportive, and the team is professional but relaxed. If you join us, you would be joining a growing, fast paced business which is an environmental and sustainable leader in forestry investment.

You will also be working with professionals who are passionate about their work! We pride ourselves on having a supportive New Forests culture that is inclusive to all and we would love to learn how you can bring your unique skills and experience to our business.

If you have experience in any of these areas, we encourage you to apply for our roles, even if you only meet some of the criteria.

New Forests is a Certified B Corp and an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity and inclusion. We offer flexible working arrangements to all employees to support their work/life balance.