ESG Research and Quality Assurance Associate

Let’s be #BrilliantTogether

ISS STOXX is seeking an ESG Research Associate to join our research team in Mumbai and support the collection, analysis, and research of ESG data, and perform quality assurance of corporate rating data.

The successful candidates will be part of ISS STOXX ESG’s global research team and will focus on the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative environmental and social data from corporate disclosures. This data feeds our broad suite of ESG solutions, including our market-leading Corporate Rating.

Overview:

ISS STOXX ESG solutions enable investors to develop and integrate responsible investing policies and practices, engage on responsible investment issues, and monitor portfolio company practices through screening solutions. It also provides climate data, analytics, and advisory services to help financial market participants understand, measure, and act on climate-related risks across all asset classes. In addition, ESG solutions cover corporate and country ESG research and ratings enabling its clients to identify material social and environmental risks and opportunities.

ESG team researches to evaluate a company's performance areas across the full range of ESG themes, including working conditions, supply chain management, sustainability governance, environmental management, and emission and resource consumption. Daily tasks include reviewing company documents such as sustainability reports, annual reports and corporate websites, and identifying, analyzing and processing relevant qualitative and quantitative data in line with ISS ESG’s methodology.

Our team stands for research integrity and a thorough methodical approach, paying attention to detail to achieve relevant, accurate, and reliable results. Being able to see the big picture as well as critical thinking are considered key factors for success. ISS ESG offers unique development opportunities for ESG generalists as well as thematic or sector specialists. A career with ISS ESG Research allows you to gain in-depth insight into ESG and sustainable investment.

Our ESG teams are based in the Philippines, the US, Australia, Germany, Sweden, India, and the UK. The successful candidate will work both independently as well as collaboratively with the local team and colleagues across our global offices. Working in a dynamic market and international environment, we put great emphasis on cooperation and offer a welcoming, collegial working atmosphere.

Responsibilities:

• Systematic ESG data gathering from company disclosures (e.g. sustainability reports, annual reports). ESG data processing, research, and analysis in line with ISS ESG methodology.

• Taking ownership of production and delivering the research within timelines outlined in the processes and maintaining quality standards.

• Coordinating and collaborating with relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure that production is completed on time without compromising on quality and active engagement with the rated entity/issuer.

• As an ESG Research & Quality Assurance team member, you will be responsible for:

• Tracking and monitoring developments and trends in various sectors of specialization as well as constantly endeavoring to develop knowledge and expertise on ESG themes associated with corporate ratings across industries.

• Work with the team to implement quality assurance measures and contribute to regular ESG data quality checks.

• Use the programming language - Python knowledge to write data validation scripts

• Work on large data sets in cleansing and drawing meaningful quality assurance rules

• Demonstrate proactiveness with a strong sense of ownership for the work under his/her responsibility.

• Contribute to the development and execution of quality assurance procedures.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of relevant professional experience in a sustainability-related field (environment, labor issues, human rights, etc.) financial services, ESG research/Sustainable finance/Credit Ratings, thinktanks focused on sustainability or academic research institutes

• Master’s Degree (a degree in a relevant field such as international relations, development studies, environmental science, or international human rights is desirable but not required, knowledge of financial markets and sustainable finance are an advantage)

• Excellent English language skills, both written and oral

• Strong research skills (this includes planning and delivery, effective communications, multi-tasking, and time management.

• Strong research and analytical skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office package (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word) with proven ability to manage large datasets in Excel (intermediate to advanced Excel) is a must

• Ability to quickly process large amounts of data and build quality validation rules

• Knowledge of programming languages Python (intermediate level) will be an added advantage

• Ability to learn fast, work independently while adhering to short deadlines, and balance production with high quality.

• Good team player with adequate collaborating skills to work with multiple mid and senior-level stakeholders

• Experience with sustainability topics or key sectors along with ESG reporting standards such as GRI, and SASB is an advantage

• Experience in data collection and business research is an advantage

• Experience in large data management is an advantage

#ASSOCIATE

#ESG

#LI-KK1

What you can expect from us

Our people are the moving force behind ISS STOXX. We are dedicated to hiring the best, most talented people in our industry and empowering them with the resources and support to enhance their career, health, financial and personal well-being. 

We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. We are invested in our people and are working every day to ensure a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

Let’s empower, collaborate, and inspire one another. 

Let’s be #BrilliantTogether.

About ISS STOXX

ISS STOXX GmbH is a leading provider of research and technology solutions for the financial market. Established in 1985, we offer top-notch benchmark and custom indices globally, helping clients identify investment opportunities and manage portfolio risks. Our services cover corporate governance, sustainability, cyber risk, and fund intelligence. Majority-owned by Deutsche Börse Group, ISS STOXX has over 3,400 professionals in 33 locations worldwide, serving around 6,400 clients, including institutional investors and companies focused on ESG, cyber, and governance risk. Clients trust our expertise to make informed decisions for their stakeholders' benefit. 

ISS ESG solutions enable investors to develop and integrate sustainable investing policies and practices, engage on responsible investment issues, and monitor portfolio company practices through screening solutions. ISS ESG also provides climate data, analytics, and advisory services to help financial market participants understand, measure, and act on climate-related risks across all asset classes. In addition, ESG solutions cover corporate and country ESG research and ratings enabling its clients to identify material social and environmental risks and opportunities.  

Visit our website: https://www.issgovernance.com

View additional open roles: https://www.issgovernance.com/join-the-iss-team/

Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination or harassment against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, sex, age, height, weight, citizenship status, national origin, social origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy status, marital status, familial status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, military service or status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as “protected status”). All activities including, but not limited to, recruiting and hiring, recruitment advertising, promotions, performance appraisals, training, job assignments, compensation, demotions, transfers, terminations (including layoffs), benefits, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, are and will be administered on a non-discriminatory basis, consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements.