Bord Bia is looking for 10 candidates for its Origin Green Ambassador two-year programme to begin in August.
The Origin Green sustainability programme was developed by Bord Bia to demonstrate the commitment by Irish food and drink producers to operate sustainably in terms of emissions, energy conservation, water management, biodiversity, community initiatives and health and nutrition.
Bord Bia says that the programme is “game-changing” in terms of its potential to encourage collaborative learning and information sharing between the Irish food industry and leading global food and drink companies.
In 2013, 10 people were appointed as Origin Green Ambassadors. Michael Murphy, Director of Markets with Bord Bia, said that this programme is truly game-changing as it gives Bord Bia a platform to promote Origin Green and the sustainability credentials of the Irish food industry among leading global players.
“We are looking for high potential, ambitious, motivated professionals who have aspirations to become future leaders in a sustainable Irish food industry to apply for this opportunity,” Murphy said.
Previous ambassadors of the programme have been placed in international companies such as Coca-Cola, Abbott, and Starbucks, in the US and Nestle in Switzerland.
Current ambassador Shane Hamill from Dublin is currently on placement at the World Bank. He said that the World Bank believes that improving agricultural performance is an indispensable tool for ending global poverty and hunger as well as boosting shared prosperity.
The closing date for applications is April 30 and can be made online on the UCD Smurfit website.
Bord Bia says that applications are welcome from individuals with five years commercial experience in the food and drink or marketing sectors who already hold a primary degree in business, science or languages.
“All applicants will undergo a rigorous selection process and candidates demonstrating the most potential to add value to the Irish Food and Drink industry will be selected.The programme is fully funded with participants receiving a bursary in addition to having their tuition fees paid,” it says.