Board of Directors

Background

The SBP Board of Directors oversees the realisation of our purpose and steers our future course through providing good governance and oversight and setting the overall strategy, direction and budget. The Board comprises ten Directors – an independent Chair and nine other Directors, with three representing Civil Society, three representing Biomass Producers and three representing End-users. Directors are chosen to reflect diverse experiences, geographies and interests in relation to the work of SBP and to provide the required mix of insight and experience needed to ensure our Board functions effectively and in the best interests of SBP and its stakeholders. Board Members serve in a non-partisan capacity representing their specific industry sector or interest group.

The role

You will be appointed to the Board as an individual and in a personal capacity, not as a representative of any organisation or body. The appointees will bring their knowledge, integrity, expertise and support for SBP’s purpose and objectives to the Board. The successful candidates will have a unique real-world perspective on issues that are central to the purpose and goals of our organisation and that reflect the interests and priorities of their stakeholder group. The appointee will represent the interests, views and priorities of their stakeholder group as a whole and speak for that stakeholder group, not the employer of the person or any other specific corporate or trade body.

Responsibilities

Directors attend Board meetings in person or remotely, depending on the agenda and the anticipated outcomes, to ensure effectiveness. Four Board meetings per year, plus preparation and travel equals approximately eight to ten days per year. In addition, Directors are expected to serve on one of the Board’s standing committees, namely, the Finance and Business Planning Committee, the Nominations and Governance Committee, or the Risk and Assurance Committee.

Directors are expected to devote such time as is necessary for the proper performance of Director duties. Directors represent the interests of the stakeholder group that they have been appointed to represent and will contribute to a constructive, collaborative, inclusive and forward-looking dialogue and decision-making process at Board level. They will ensure consideration of the interests of the various stakeholders of our organisation is given due regard at Board level.

It is anticipated that your activities as a Director of SBP will be supported financially by your current employer organisation. Where that is not the case and by agreement, SBP would support participation through its travel policy and an appropriate honorarium.

Candidate profile

Civil society: The successful candidate will hold or has recently held a senior level position in academia, a social NGO, a trade union, an environmental/ conservation NGO and/or other relevant civil society group.

Biomass Producer: The successful candidate will, ideally, hold or have recently held a Board/senior level position in commerce or industry with close and established links to the production of biomass. This may have been based on a senior managerial, executive or technical/consultancy role.

End-user: The successful candidate will, ideally, hold or have recently held a Board/senior level position in commerce or industry with close and established links to the end use of biomass. This may have been based on a senior managerial, executive or technical/consultancy role.

To be successful in this role you will have the following attributes:

  • A strong belief in and demonstrable enthusiasm for the goals of SBP and the role of good biomass in contributing to achieving global climate goals.
  • Ideally, you will have a proven track record and leadership experience within the sector or relevant cross-over experience.
  • Ideally, you will have experience of other multi-stakeholder initiatives with a similar evolution and growth trajectory as SBP.
  • You will provide case studies of where you have helped shape change helped shape change through promoting and developing compelling strategy, policies and transparent decision-making, illustrating transparency, innovation and measurable impact.
  • You will have a strong understanding of the key thematic areas and challenges in the biomass sector and/or certification schemes.
  • Ideally, the successful candidate will demonstrate a good understanding of the developing global biomass market and its strategic challenges.
  • Experience of supply chains and sustainable development is preferable.
  • Must possess high personal integrity and be able to progress and compromise on diverse and sensitive issues in a respectful and constructive manner and have an interest in and experience of working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
  • Passionate and aligned to the purpose and values of SBP. You will need to understand how the purpose and ambition drives organisational culture and policies and leverage this mandate for success.
  • Ability to communicate well with stakeholders as well as establish and maintain effective relationships.
  • You will provide a credible lens of insight, evidence and assurance to filter risk, build resilience and identify emerging opportunities.
  • Ideally you will have the ability to establish personal credibility (primarily through experience in similar or relevant other roles) and demonstrate gravitas to have a ‘seat at the table’ amongst a diverse group of stakeholders.
  • You will have demonstrable experience of collaborative partnerships and/or working with a range of stakeholders, including a track record of positive and successful engagement with such stakeholders.
  • Must be willing and able to travel internationally for Board meetings.
  • Must be willing to attend remote meetings outside normal office hours to accommodate Directors across different geographies/time zones.