Technical Committee

Background

The Technical Committee advises the SBP Board and Standards Committee on SBP’s technical and scientific functions, including certification and accreditation criteria, methodologies, and related processes. It also supports the Secretariat in delivering its work plan, and providing guidance on technical and scientific matters essential to SBP’s purpose.

Comprising specialists from diverse disciplines covered by the SBP Standards, the Committee brings expertise in areas such as risk assessment and mitigation, forest carbon, non-woody biomass, feedstock processing, biomass distribution, mass balance system, and auditing, certification and accreditation processes. Members are selected for their specialist knowledge and to ensure sufficient representation across different regions and technical domains.

The role

You will be appointed to the Technical Committee as an individual and in a personal capacity, not as a representative of any organisation or body. Appointees will bring their technical knowledge, integrity, and commitment to support the successful achievement of SBP’s purpose and objectives. The successful candidates will have real-world experience and perspectives on technical and scientific issues relevant to SBP’s work.

Responsibilities

Members will attend Committee meetings either in person or remotely, depending on the agenda and the anticipated outcomes, to ensure effectiveness. Typically, there will be one in-person meeting per year supplemented by remote meetings as needed. In addition, members will be assigned tasks, for example, reviewing and providing feedback on scheme documents (Standards, Instruction Documents, normative interpretations).

Members are expected to devote such time as is necessary for the proper conduct of their duties, including responding to short notice requests as required from time-to-time by the Secretariat, and keeping up-to-date with SBP developments giving context to Committee’s work.

In fulfilling their role, members will provide expert advice and recommendations on SBP’s technical and scientific functions, including certification and accreditation criteria and methodologies. They will contribute to a constructive and forward-looking dialogue, ensuring that technical issues are addressed comprehensively and in a timely manner. Members will work collaboratively with other Committee members, the Board, and the Secretariat to maintain the integrity and robustness of SBP’s technical systems and processes. They will ensure due regard is given to the interests of all SBP stakeholders and that decisions are informed by sound science and best practice.

It is anticipated that your activities as a member of the Technical Committee 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 agreed hourly or daily rate for time spent on Committee work.

Candidate profile

The successful candidate will hold or have recently held a position requiring deep technical expertise in areas relevant to SBP’s work, such as forestry, biomass production and processing, supply chain logistics, certification and accreditation, auditing, or sustainability science.

Candidates may come from academia, research institutions, certification bodies, industry, or other organisations with a strong technical focus. Appointees will be recruited for their specialist knowledge and experience, and will bring insight and judgement to ensure SBP’s technical systems and methodologies remain robust, credible, and aligned with best practice.

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

  • Hold or have recently held a position in a technical or scientific role within academia, industry, certification bodies, or other relevant organisations.
  • Possess deep expertise in one or more of the following areas: risk assessment and mitigation, forest carbon, non-woody biomass, feedstock processing, biomass distribution, mass balance system, auditing, certification, accreditation, or related technical disciplines.
  • Be passionate and aligned with SBP’s purpose and values.
  • Have a strong understanding of sustainability issues, including forest carbon, biodiversity, natural capital management, and social considerations.
  • Be respected professionally and personally within their technical field.
  • Demonstrate high personal integrity and the ability to navigate complex and sensitive issues constructively.
  • Have experience working in a multicultural environment and engaging with diverse stakeholders.
  • Must be willing and able to travel internationally for Committee meetings.
  • Must be willing to attend remote meetings outside normal office hours to accommodate members across different geographies and time zones.
  • Proficient in technical English and comfortable in expressing your ideas.