We are hiring a Project Manager – Sustainability Certification Review
Location: Fully remote, ideally aligned with Lisbon time zone
Salary range: EUR 30,000 to EUR 35,000, two year fixed-term position with extension potential
Experience: Expected 5+ years of professional experience in sustainability certification systems, technical coordination, stakeholder engagement and/or sustainability assessment processes
Deadline to apply: 31 August 2025
Special things about this job
o Purpose – We are committed to sustainable development and a just transition to a low carbon world.
o Global impact – Our team is spread in different countries and our work is delivered around the world. From Indonesia to Colombia, UK to South Africa, Indonesia to Tajikistan – name the continent, we will probably be working there!
o 100% remote work – Really means working from anywhere.
o Transparency and flexibility – With the support of your line manager, you set your objectives, organise your time and deliver at your own pace. No strict schedules, no micromanagement.
o Career growth – In many ways, the person makes the job. If the basic functions are addressed, there are no boundaries for your career evolution at HSA.
The job
As the Project Manager – Sustainability Certification Review, you will play a key role in supporting the formal review of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) and the associated certification system.
This is the first review of our Standard! It is a unique opportunity to strengthen the only global hydropower sustainability certification and enhance its impact across all relevant stakeholders.
Under ISEAL’s code, the Standard must be reviewed every five years; launched in 2021, it is due for revision by the end of 2026 and publication of an updated version in early 2027.
You’ll report to the Deputy Executive Officer and work closely with the wider technical team.
Your responsibilities will include:
· Coordinating the Technical Working Group – Plan and manage meeting logistics, prepare agendas, circulate documentation, take meeting minutes and ensure follow-up on action items.
· Stakeholder engagement – Support consultation efforts with technical experts, governments, financiers and civil society groups.
· Document management – Assist in tracking changes, formatting drafts, and supporting the preparation of revised technical documentation (e.g. HSS guidelines, certification protocols, templates).
· Research and benchmarking – Support comparative analysis with other sustainability standards and best practices (e.g. EU Taxonomy, IFC Performance Standards, ISEAL Code of Good Practice).
· Project tracking – Help manage timelines, progress dashboards and internal reporting to ensure milestones are met.
· Communications support – Draft updates for members and partners on the review process, and support feedback collation and synthesis.
About you
We are looking for a smart, very well organised and collaborative early- to mid-career professional with a passion for sustainability.
If you are a proactive, experienced professional with a commitment to sustainability and a desire to work on impactful projects worldwide, you can expect to do your best work and build a career with us.
You should have:
· At least 5 years of professional experience
· A strong track record in ESG, sustainability standards or certification schemes
· Experience in technical coordination or multi-stakeholder initiatives
· Excellent organisational and communication skills, with the ability to synthesise complex discussions and keep processes on track
· Confidence working with a wide range of stakeholders and managing competing inputs diplomatically
· Very strong project management skills
· Previous work experience with ISEAL Code Compliant sustainability systems (or ISEAL Community Members) is an advantage
· Fluency in English and preferably in 1-2 other languages (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian, Bahasa Indonesia, etc.)
· Experience working across cultures and time zones
Some of the benefits
· Equal pay irrespective of location
· Fully remote
· Flexible hours
· Insurance
· Annual all-expenses-paid staff retreat
· A new laptop (Apple if you prefer) and all equipment you’ll need to work
The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance
The HSA is an international organisation working to promote transparency and inclusivity in the hydropower sector.
We are a small team designing and implementing the world’s best sustainability standard for hydropower. And we want to be the leading force in driving transparency, social equity and environmental protection in the renewables sector.
We are structured as an alliance of NGOs, academia, private sector companies, governments and financiers committed to shaping a more sustainable, just and equitable transition.
We manage and implement the Hydropower Sustainability Standard. In simple terms, we certify the sustainability of hydropower projects, train professionals around the world and build capacity in countries that need it the most.
At HSA, we believe the best work happens when you have a balanced lifestyle. Transparency and intellectual honesty are at the core of everything we do. We are all adults, and we always strive to enable an environment of trust and collaboration.