Independent Consultant - Sustainable Bio-Materials & Regulatory Compliance

RSB – Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials is a global, multi-stakeholder organisation dedicated to driving the truly sustainable development of the bioeconomy. Frequently recognised as an industry leader in supply chain sustainability, RSB applies its best-in-class sustainability framework across sectors including aviation, chemicals, materials, and shipping.

Our small, dedicated team operates remotely from countries around the world, working collaboratively with a diverse base of member organisations, industry partners, and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.rsb.org.

RSB now invites eligible firms and individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services described below. This Call for Expressions of Interest is not yet linked to a specific project or immediate assignment. RSB is building a pre-approved External Consultant Roster: a qualified pool of selected specialists and organisations that will be called upon for project-based work for the next 2-3 years.

We are primarily seeking to engage consultancy firms, agencies, and other established organisations, providers that can offer dedicated capacity, depth of expertise, and continuity across assignments. At the same time, we warmly welcome expressions of interest from independent consultants and other individual specialists whose qualifications and experience match the profiles sought. Throughout this document, “Consultant” refers to both firms and individuals unless stated otherwise.

Consultants accepted onto the roster will complete a brief onboarding process to become familiar with RSB’s systems, ways of working, and sustainability framework, so that engagements can begin efficiently when a relevant need is identified. When a specific project or capacity gap emerges, RSB will contact roster members whose profile best matches the assignment, share a defined scope of work, and invite them to submit a proposal.

The Sustainable Bio-Materials & Regulatory Compliance Consultant will provide regulatory compliance and sustainability assessment expertise for bio-based materials, sustainable fuels, feedstocks and related value chains. Consultants in this profile support RSB Advisory Services with the expert practical interpretation of regulatory frameworks, such as EU RED, CORSIA and relevant voluntary certification requirements, including their GHG calculation methodologies. They support feedstock eligibility, low-ILUC considerations, sustainability-risk screening, voluntary scheme benchmarking and compliance gap identification.

•    Strong written and spoken English proficiency.

•    Ability to maintain regular availability overlapping with CET working hours of a minimum of 4 hours per day.

•    Proven output/delivery track record in your area of expertise.

•    Full compliance with all applicable local laws and regulations, including tax and social security obligations, and legal authorisation to perform consultancy services in the country of residence or operation.

•    Strong collaboration and communication skills, the ability to operate autonomously, and a proactive approach to communicating progress, risks, and opportunities in a clear and constructive manner.

•    Self-sufficiency in a remote and fully digital working environment with reliable internet connectivity. Video calls and collaborative tools will be used for coordination.

•    Proven hands-on experience applying EU RED, CORSIA, RSB or equivalent GHG and sustainability methodologies in client, certification, policy or project-development contexts.

•    Working knowledge of at least one major voluntary sustainability certification scheme, preferably RSB, ISCC or another scheme relevant to biofuels, SAF, biomass or bio-based materials.

•    Demonstrated ability to assess feedstock eligibility, GHG data quality, certification readiness or regulatory compliance for specific products, pathways or supply chains.

•    Ability to work independently with limited onboarding, document assumptions transparently and flag uncertainty, data gaps and compliance risks.

•    Strong written English and effective reporting skills for technical and non-technical audiences.

•    Strong communication skills and comfort working with client-provided data under confidentiality constraints.

•    CET ±5 hours time-zone compatibility, unless otherwise agreed for a specific assignment.

•    Ability to assign appropriately qualified personnel to assignments and to ensure continuity of delivery, including cover for absences.

•    Confirmation that the named individuals proposed for RSB assignments meet the essential criteria above.

•    Working knowledge of the RSB standard and certification system in particular, or of ISCC.

•    Hands-on experience using the RSB GHG Calculator.

•    Experience developing or refining methodologies, blueprints or decision tools for emerging feedstock pathways, bio-based materials, fuels or chemicals.

RSB is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion across all its work. We strongly encourage expressions of interest from individuals and firms representing underrepresented groups, including, but not limited to, women, persons from the Global South, persons with disabilities, and members of other historically marginalised communities. We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen the quality and relevance of our work.

Applicants must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest at the time of expression of interest and throughout the engagement. A conflict of interest exists where the Consultant has personal, professional, or financial relationships that could impair objectivity or create unfair advantage.

RSB operates a zero-tolerance policy with respect to fraud, bribery, corruption, and any other form of misconduct. All Consultants are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards and to comply with applicable anti-corruption laws. Any breach may result in immediate termination and referral to relevant authorities.

To be considered for inclusion on the RSB External Consultant Roster, Consultants should submit the following:

- Please fill out the complete questionnaire within this call for expression of interest

- A company capability statement (for firms/agencies) or a current curriculum vitae (for individuals), including a description of experience in similar assignments.

Later in the submission process. RSB will request further information to confirm shortlisted Consultants as trusted providers as part of our due diligence process:

•    Firms / organisations (and their employees): Tax identification and proof of registration

•    Self-employed individuals: Proof of independent status by registration with the relevant tax authority in the country of tax residence.

Several consultant types are listed separately on our website. You are welcome to submit expressionf of interest to multiple listings if you meet the respective requirements.