Join our team: We are looking for a Leadership and Sustainability Fellow

A collaboration between oikos and swissnex and sponsored by Movetia, the Leadership and Sustainability Fellowship, aims to gather international students and academics to foster innovation in sustainable management and leadership education, through the oikos-designed “Students Creating Curriculum for Sustainability” project.

oikos is us. We are an international, student-led non-profit organization for sustainability in economics and management. Founded in 1987 in Switzerland, we empower student change agents worldwide to embed sustainability in academia and from there into day-to-day business, government, and personal activities. Our programs integrate environmental and social perspectives in economics and management education and equip our members with the necessary tools to become today and tomorrow’s responsible leaders.

swissnex Brazil, our new partner, is a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas in science, education, research, and innovation. Through their public events and study tours, they highlight the best of Swiss and Brazilian ingenuity and create opportunities for networking among their diverse group of professional contacts in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and beyond. swissnex Brazil offers the resources to help international guests, start-ups, university outposts, entrepreneurs-in-residence, and other visitors succeed.

Job Description

  • The fellow will work for both oikos and swissnex. They will be connected with the vivid oikos community with decades-long experience in developing projects for sustainable management and leadership, as well as with swissnex and its excellent knowledge of swiss education and innovation.
  • In the first two months of the project, January and February 2020, the fellow will work in the oikos headquarters in St. Gallen. From March to October 2020, the fellow will be relocated to swissnex Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. The fellow will return to Switzerland and finalize their work at the oikos office in St. Gallen until January 2021.
  • One of the tasks of the fellow is to create and develop a two to three weeks virtual conference with several speakers, live interactive workshops, panel discussions,  interviews with Q&As, reflections/learning sessions, open-space workshops, and peer-to-peer discussions. The fellow can rely on the oikos community, swissnex Brazil, and their partners to develop the conference. At the beginning of their work, they will be responsible for co-leading an online thematic group on the topic of sustainable management and leadership at oikos. This group will be mainly composed of oikos students, alumni and partners from more than 20 countries in Europe, North America, Asia & Africa.
  • The fellow will be involved in the development and implementation of swissnex activities. They will work directly with a person responsible for academic relations in swissnex Brazil. One of the tasks for the fellow is to organize visits for Swiss professor(s) to Brazil. During this visit, we would like to ignite cross-continental conversations, showcase Swiss excellence in this topic, and facilitate potential international academic/business collaborations between Switzerland and Brazil.
  • The fellow will be responsible for bringing the perspective of younger generations on sustainable management and leadership to those interactions with local universities and businesses. He/She is expected to observe and report on what swissnex and oikos could improve and build upon.  Based on the suggestions of the fellow and thematic group (led by the fellow), oikos and swissnex Brazil will approach universities and other relevant institutions (student organizations, companies, NGO’s) with an offer to use the project outcomes in their curriculum/ institutional training.
  • Take full ownership of the professional implementation of the “Students Creating Curriculum for Sustainability” project and related events; contribute with new ideas and initiatives to further swissnex & oikos’ mission and objectives.


Tasks and responsibilities

Event Planning and Management: active participation in and contribution to events and learning expeditions /delegation visits, including:

  • Conduct research and participate in brainstorming for event topics
  • Independent planning, preparation and execution of projects and events
  • Identify, contact and coach potential speakers / exhibitors/ participants
  • Manage local stakeholders, service companies and suppliers
  • Assist with public relations and communication between partners, sponsors, and other project partners
  • Draft funding applications and reports
  • Update and maintain event project database
  • The logistical organization, including setting up event room, cleaning, welcoming and registering guests
  • Take charge of AV management during events & generally support the ‘back-end’ of events


‘Connecting the dots’ & Networking: act as a connector between people and ideas:

  • Reactively and proactively promote collaboration between people and organizations in Switzerland and Brazil
  • Occasionally attend events, conferences, meetings as a swissnex/oikos representative, and share contacts, findings, and learnings with the swissnex and oikos teams


What we look for in a Candidate

General / Personality

  • Outgoing, communicative; avid networker and connector
  • Independent, self-motivated
  • Hands-on, proactive
  • Visionary, creative, resourceful
  • Passionate about Brazil
  • Dedication to further Swiss excellence in science, education, innovation and art


Background / Experience

  • Recent Bachelor, Master or PhD degree (starting date maximum 1 year after graduation date)
  • Proven experience planning and managing events and/or projects
  • Passionate about sustainable management & leadership (ideally already engaged in this topic)
  • Professional mastery (reading and speaking) of the Portuguese language (B2 level or more)
  • Professional mastery of at least one Swiss national language
  • Professional mastery of the English language
  • International experience (Brazilian and Swiss experience a plus)


Skills

  • Proven organizational skills and ability to multitask
  • Ability to independently implement projects
  • Excellent people and communication skills (verbal and written)
  • Attention to detail
  • Solid time-management and ability to prioritize
  • Web and social media savvy a plus


Important Information

  • This is a 100% position; ideal start date in January 2020
  • This is a 13 or 14 months contract
  • The position requires flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends
  • Swiss citizenship or EU studying/recent graduate in Switzerland + valid work permit in Switzerland required (Permit C)
  • Proficiency of the Portuguese language is mandatory

Please submit your application via this form until the 20th of October.

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oikos International

posted September 27, 2019

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oiConference: The Green Future of Investment

oikos International and Harvard’s Environmental Club are partnering to bring you a virtual, student-led conference focused on helping you learn about Sustainable Investing.

When: Saturday, October 19 – 10:00 to 14:00 EDT (16:00-20:00 CEST)

Where: Web Conference

This series of workshops will be held in an interactive style encouraging you to learn and discuss. Each session will run about 45mins along with plenty of time for Q&A. Come learn from experts in the field, your fellow students, and professors/researchers.

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oiconference-the-green-future-of-investment-tickets-71673277703

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oikos International

posted September 23, 2019

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oikos Newsletter September 2019

As we all slowly return to our daily tasks after summer breaks and vacations, we bring you the news about forthcoming oikos opportunities. We hope to get you inspired to take action for a more just and sustainable world. Get involved and make a difference!

READ THE WHOLE NEWSLETTER HERE

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oikos International

posted September 16, 2019

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oikos Curriculum Academy 2019

The oikos Curriculum Change Academy is a 3-day workshop for students, junior lecturers faculty and other stakeholders, developed and facilitated by oikos student members. Its main purpose is to reflect and learn about innovative economics and management programs and teaching approaches which are designed to address current global environmental and social challenges.

In order to increase the outreach of the event, we are going to run it both, locally at the University of Economics in Prague (10 – 15 participants) and virtually (open to anyone from oikos International community as well as to other international participants).

Apply here: https://forms.gle/tiPAaSoBgijPBALt6 

For more information, click here

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oikos International

posted September 13, 2019

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LEAP Meeting 2019: Introduction Call

On Monday, September 23rd at 18:00pm CEST we will gather participants of the LEAP Meeting 2019 online to introduce them to the program and to each other, learn about their expectations and reshape agenda of the week with them.

The call will be via zoom. Visit podio for the link and more information

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oikos International

posted September 12, 2019

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Francophone Meeting 2019

After kick-starting the annual regional meeting for French-speaking oikos chapters, Brussels is now, once again, hosting a new edition. This year’s Francophone meeting will revolve around sustainable entrepreneurship and will take a look at sustainable innovations and initiatives.

Furthermore, this year the meeting will be held in English in order to share insights from our French-speaking community with a broader group of oikess.

Follow updates on our facebook event: oikos Francophone Meeting 2019

Like oikos Brussels – ICHEC Facebook Page.

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oikos International

posted September 9, 2019

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Assistant to the oikos International President

We are looking for an independent, flexible, and resourceful oikos member who is eager to get international experience and has time to volunteer and assist the oikos International President in day-to-day tasks to ensure the smooth running of the organization. 

Responsibilities include management of the following:

  • Information: Reviewing, prioritizing and distributing email inquiries; forward emails to other responsible people in the team, draft and circulate new emails. 
  • Meetings and Calendars: Help with meeting preparations and follow up such as creating agendas, updating project materials with attention to detail and accuracy; calendar coordination; track messages on Podio and elsewhere and follow up.
  • Communication: Maintain the oikos International President’s social media accounts and keep it up to date.
  • Operations: ad hoc tasks as required, including but not limited to organizing invoices, booking tickets, researching information, coordinating with other team members. 
  • Time Commitment: availability for 10 hours per week for at least one semester (6 months), ideally for a whole academic year (9-12 months).

Qualifications

  • Enrollment at Bachelor or Master level of studies
  • Good command of the English language
  • Good command of Office Suite and familiarity with G-drive. 
  • Interest and commitment to the oikos vision and mission
  • Good organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to anticipate needs, solve problems in a collaborative environment and sensitivity to deadlines
  • Ability to work under pressure and multi-task
  • Ability to protect confidential and sensitive information of the organization
  • Independent, flexible, and resourceful

Learnings and advantages

  • Learning about the day-to-day working of an international organization
  • Insights about the global opportunities and challenges of international NGOs
  • Working in a multicultural, international team
  • Gaining experience in working remotely in a virtual office
  • Reimbursement of travel and participation at international oikos events, such as FutureLab and Spring Meeting.

If you are interested in the position please, send us your CV (max. 2 pages) and a brief motivation letter by March 1st 2020. The letter should outline why you want to take up the position and what makes you a suitable candidate. Please, email the required documents to president@oikos-international.org with a subject line “Assistant to the oikos International President”. For any further questions, reach out to us via email. Please, note that the position is unpaid. 

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oikos International

posted September 9, 2019

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30 seconds with the LEAP Advanced Cohort 2018/2019

We spend years in classrooms studying facts and complicated theories, but one thing we are never taught is how to have a fulfilling life. Our Leadership Development Program – LEAP bridges the gap. It challenges participants to reflect on their inner selves and inspires action. In the September edition of our “30 seconds with” segment, some of our LEAP Advanced 2018/2019 shared their thoughts about the program and described the impact it had on their lives.

Hannah

Hannah Muther, oikos Graz

“Before I started my studies in Graz I did not consider myself a balanced person. Not that I am perfectly balanced now, but I live much more in harmony and peace with myself. Yet, getting where I am now, has not been an easy task. Joining LEAP undoubtedly stood as a milestone in my self-development, as it triggered in me a valuable process of introspection: thinking about myself, my actions, my feelings, my beliefs, my values, my emotions and, ultimately, my purpose.

Before, such thoughts were indeed present but kept whirling through my mind in indiscernible and sometimes overwhelming patterns. The LEAP program thus infused me with unprecedented cognitive acuteness and provided me with a space for pursuing personal reflections. Something inside me started changing as a consequence, opening my understanding of a variety of hitherto unchartered regions of the mind. LEAP has therefore been remarkable empowerment for me, and I urge any other oikees to benefit from it as well.”

Nino

Nino Kvaratskhelia, oikos Tbilisi

“LEAP put me on a journey to discover who I am. It gave me confidence, taught me to be a change agent, gave me a deeper insight into today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities, helped me make a transition, made me consider what kind of leader I want to be and create my path towards sustainable future.”

Luisa

Luisa Pütz, oikos Bayreuth

“The LEAP program inspired me to pursue my interest in spreading awareness of sustainability and becoming a responsible leader. Being part of the LEAP Program 2018/2019 was one of the best experiences of my life. The LEAP program taught me, for instance, how to be a responsible leader, gave a clearer understanding of my values and my WHY in life. Our webinars broadened my horizon as we discussed topics I hadn’t been familiar with before. For example, I learned about the importance of organizational culture and how to overcome procrastination by just ‘eating a frog’. The LEAP program changed my life by teaching me how to be aware of my own body, thoughts, and actions. And I would like to pass this knowledge unto other oikees.

During my time as president of oikos Bayreuth (2018-2019), I directly used the learned methods and shared experiences of the LEAP program. During this time, we changed the whole organization structure and speeded up processes by using Podio. We separated projects from our discussion panels and built a strong team spirit. I am really proud of everything the whole oikos Bayreuth group achieved in this short amount of time. And I think it would not have been possible without the LEAP experience.”

Sagar Vatkar, Alumnus, oikos Kolkata

Sagar

“I joined LEAP advanced program as a participant in 2015-16 and gained a lot of interesting perspectives on leadership. After 2 years of corporate experience, I came back to oikos as a coach for its LEAP advanced program of 2018-19 to contribute and help new participants. The team organizing the LEAP is dedicated to giving participants a truly experiential program on leadership with its webinars, onsite meetings, and coach-assisted peer-to-peer online meetings. With the programs’ regular feedback mechanism, I am sure that it will grow better in future”

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oikos International

posted September 4, 2019

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