The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) is an international financial institution, established within the UN ecosystem, currently with 101 member states. With poverty alleviation as its core mission, the CFC operates as an impact investment fund by easing commodity dependence in the developing world. With its headquarters in the innovation rich Netherlands, since 1989, the CFC has been instrumental in bringing over a billion US dollars’ worth of investments for SMEs and smallholder farmers, while acting as a bridge between developed and the developing world following a sustainability roadmap.

With alleviation of poverty as our mission, the measurement of impacts lies at the core of our work. Impact measurement is crucial in our efforts to uncover inefficiencies, innovate and better serve beneficiaries, including smallholders and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises).

The CFC Impact Strategy Officer is responsible for systematic measurement and presentation of impacts across the CFC’s project portfolio. This includes pre-investment social and environmental due diligence, prioritisation of investment proposals, impact assessment, measurement, reporting and monitoring including social and environmental risks. The goal of the Impact Strategy Officer is to drive both qualitative and quantitative changes to the lives of people at the margin.

The ideal candidate is expected to have a minimum of 2 years of experience in a project and/or analytical role assessing impact at a financial institution, consulting company, NGO or large corporation. Additional experience in agribusiness and commodity value chains and/or in impact management would be an advantage. Excellent writing and communications skills are essential as the Impact Strategy Officer is expected to present and write with clarity about CFC’s project impact stories.

The CFC pays an attractive compensation based on United Nations grade levels, including a tax-exempt salary and additional benefits. This is a full-time job with residence in Amsterdam, remuneration is being offered at the ICSC P-1 level and is a fixed term appointment of 1 year, renewable subject to excellent performance. Rapid development of the impact investment sector provides a strong possibility of growth in this position.

DUTIES, RESPONSIBLITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Impact Strategy Officer is expected to operate with a considerable degree of autonomy, taking ownership of their role while collaborating and contributing to the work of various teams across the CFC. They will report directly to our Chief of Strategy and Development. The Impact Strategy Officer will take primary responsibility for:

Continuous development of impact view of CFC portfolio

Maintain, in due consultation with the Operations Unit (OPS), an up-to-date portfolio-wide assessment of CFC project impacts using most current metrics methodologies that are aligned with the regulatory requirements.

Monitor timely impact reporting for all CFC Investments in consultation with the relevant Impact Investment Manager / Analyst (IIM/IIA).

Provide input for CFC's communications, including the website and social media platforms regarding the Impacts of CFC's investments.

Provide CFC impact progress report per quarter to the Managing Director to help her/him to follow CFC’s zero tolerance for impact washing.

Implementation and further development of CFC impact strategy towards achieving SDGs

Strategically synthesizing information from both the community and funders experience. Periodic review and updating, in consultation with the OPS, of the due diligence checklist to assure that CFC projects contribute towards CFC’s mission and vision.

Supporting the CFC TA Unit in the implementation of technical assistance programmes requiring expertise on social and environmental risk management and impact management.

Support and guide operations team in identifying and managing potential Social and Environmental risks of CFC projects and ensure appropriate application of CFC’s Social and Environmental Risk Management System (SEMS).

Determining and prioritizing areas of focus for impact control and validation with internal and external stakeholders. Identifying and collecting relevant impact data.

Contributing to the negotiation of impact deliverables by projects seeking CFC financial support.

Contribute towards CFC’s strategic work on commodity value chain governance to improve impact on income and welfare for smallholders and SMEs, e.g., making the value chain as “green”, short and transparent as possible.

Overseeing effective impact data collection, including sources and processes, such as baseline studies, learning assessment, etc.

Connecting CFC Impact strategy with global partnerships

Provide the necessary support for further development and implementation of an impact strategy for the CFC’s ACT Fund (Agricultural Commodity Transformation Fund).

Create and maintain strong, collaborative networks with key outside colleagues, donors, funders, impact funds and other relevant stakeholders.

Encourage input from OPS towards improvement of CFC’s impact strategy by including relevant scientific innovations that might come to the attention of IIM’s/IIA’s at any stage from due diligence to outcome assessment after completion of the investment period.

Representing CFC in relevant UN and other international fora, public and private impact events and able to coordinate and liaise with external partners on technical issues.

Learning and Leveraging Results

Provide continued education and support to IIM’s/IIA’s and OPS to view the CFC project impact as part of a global effort towards sustainable development.

Providing the content for CFC’s impact “Dashboard” to be used on website, social media, newsletter, annual report and documents provided to the CFC Governing Bodies.

Provide feedback to the CFC Governing Bodies regarding the experience and learning from the impact management practice of the CFC.

Contribute, as appropriate, to the publication of newsletter and annual report.

Support CFC networking with other impact funds and donors.

Other Key Functions

Participating in the future development of the CFC framework for selection and prioritization of projects to enhance the impact of CFC portfolio.

Contribute to the development of the CFC strategy.

Support the Technical Assistance Facility department in managing impact related projects.

COMPETENCIES

Empathy . An ability to have a deep understanding and sympathy for the needs of others, especially for those people living at the margins of the developing world.

Communication and Teamwork.

Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed, solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Commitment to CFC’s policy on Additionality, Partnerships and Innovations (API).

Structured and analytical thinking . The successful candidate should demonstrate the capacity and skill to obtain and analyse complex information from multiple sources, producing a clearly structured interpretation and numerical indicators reflecting the CFC's impact performance.

Strong functional and operational understanding and proactive attitude . In addition to analytical skills and communications experience, the successful candidate must possess a clear understanding of how individual projects combine to create a high-impact project portfolio. Proactive attitude to addressing shared challenges is a strong advantage.

Understanding of sustainable development . The successful candidate will have strong practical experience in the impact investing sector based on the UN SDGs, as well as familiarity with one or more global impact reporting systems, e.g., IRIS+.

Commitment to good governance and ethical business practices . The successful candidate is expected to have the commitment to ethical business practices, diligence and good governance. Understanding of the UN Global Compact principles will be an advantage.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Advanced University degree with major in either sustainable development, economics, business or a related field.

A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a project and/or analytical role with a financial institution, consulting company, NGO or large corporation required; experience in agribusiness and commodity value chains is an advantage.

Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, along with a proven track record of success in solving complex and dynamic situations involving smallholders and SMEs.

Excellent writing, presentation and communications skills; capable of speaking and writing with clarity about CFC’s project impact stories to audiences ranging from development finance professionals to those with no previous exposure to these fields.

Capacity to listen, mediate and facilitate discussions on complex and/or divisive issues.

Excellent interpersonal skills, capacity to undertake training, experimentation, dialogue and partnerships.

Experience in initiating, leading and leveraging public-private partnerships for development impact, direct experience in financial interventions preferred.

Experience of working in compliance with SEMS (Social and Environmental Management Systems) and ESG (Environmental Social Governance) would be a distinct advantage for this role.

Experience and proven ability in the use of databases, apps, spreadsheet programs, word processing and financial analysis software; previous experience or knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Adobe InDesign, GIS, SPSS, STATA or other related statistical programming is helpful but not required.

Proven ability to discern critical issues, to prepare concise and insightful analyses, and to propose solutions to problems.

High level of attention to detail.

Strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills as well as openness to feedback and new ideas. Willingness and capacity to work effectively in a young, dynamic, unstructured and entrepreneurial work environment.

Experience of traveling, and ideally living in, developing countries: Africa, Latin America and Asia is preferred.

Ability to simultaneously manage multiple, complex projects in a deadline-driven and high-achieving environment.

Ability to work independently and autonomously.

Proven skill of written and spoken communications in English. Fluency in other UN languages, particularly Spanish or French, is an advantage.

It is important to note that the CFC can only employ Nationals of its Member States, for a full list of Member States please refer to the “About us” section of the CFC website.

TO APPLY

Applicants should complete

this short form

and send a brief cover letter (max 500 words) and concise curriculum vitae, in English, to

recruitment@common-fund.org

including their FULL name and Vacancy Ref (2024 – 01) in the email subject heading.

The closing date for applications is 18.00hrs (CEST) on Friday 28 th

June 2024.

Due to the anticipated number of applicants for this opportunity the CFC reserves the right to close this opportunity once sufficient applications are received, contact will be made with shortlisted candidates only.

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