Joining The ESG Institute Panel of Consultants and Trainers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin story of The ESG Institute?
The ESG Institute was founded by a team of sustainability professionals with a shared belief: that every organization — regardless of size or resources — should have the tools and support needed to become truly sustainable. Our mission is to help businesses take meaningful action that benefits not only their operations but also the environment, society, and future generations. We are here to democratize sustainability, turning global frameworks into local impact, and making it easier for companies to embed responsible practices into their strategy, culture, and daily decisions. It's not just about knowledge, it's about empowering action that creates lasting, measurable change.

What kind of work does The ESG Institute do?
The ESG Institute provides a wide range of services to help organizations integrate sustainability and ESG principles into their operations, strategy, and culture. Our work includes ESG advisory, sustainability strategy development, training and capacity building, regulatory readiness (e.g. CSRD, ESRS), stakeholder engagement, reporting alignment (GRI, TCFD, ISSB, etc.), and impact measurement. Our mission is to make sustainability accessible, actionable, and authentic, regardless of the client's size or industry.

Who are your clients? What sectors or regions do you focus on?
We work with a diverse global client base that includes corporations, SMEs, NGOs, academic institutions, financial service providers, international development agencies, and public sector entities. Our reach is global, and our expertise spans multiple sectors: from finance, tech, and agriculture to manufacturing, energy, hospitality, and beyond. Some projects are highly localized, while others involve regional or cross-border collaboration. We aim to meet clients wherever they are in their journey.

How does The ESG Institute's business model work?
The ESG Institute operates as a mission-driven professional services and training organization. Our core activities include ESG advisory projects, corporate sustainability training, regulatory alignment support, stakeholder engagement facilitation, and capacity building. We generate revenue primarily through project-based client services, training program delivery, and strategic consulting collaborations.

In addition, we have built a curated repository of sustainability solutions by establishing collaboration agreements with trusted third-party service and product providers. This enables us to offer our clients vetted tools and services without them needing to navigate the market independently. Referral partnerships with these providers also generate additional revenue streams for both the Institute and, where applicable, for consultants who help introduce these solutions to clients.

Our focus remains on advancing sustainability and ESG excellence through expert advisory, education, and practical solutions — not through software sales or unrelated commercial products.

Is this a full-time position?
No, this is a freelance and project-based opportunity. We engage consultants and trainers on assignments that match their expertise and availability. There is no minimum or maximum number of hours expected, your level of involvement is entirely flexible. This allows professionals to continue other work commitments while contributing meaningfully to The ESG Institute’s mission.

Will I need to work specific hours or time zones?
Generally, no. Unless a client requires for example participation in live sessions at a specific time, you manage your own schedule. We do, however, expect timely communication and delivery of agreed-upon outputs. We respect each consultant's preferred working model, whether that's concentrated sprints, flexible part-time hours, or full immersion during a project period. What matters most is delivering high-quality outcomes in line with agreed timelines.

Can I contribute only as a trainer or only as a consultant?
Yes. We welcome professionals who specialize in either consulting or training, as well as those who are open to contributing in both areas. You may choose your level of involvement and focus areas depending on your interests, experience, and availability.

How do consultants and trainers work with the Institute?
You will be part of a global panel of experts. When new projects or training opportunities arise, we review our panel and reach out to individuals whose experience and focus areas align with the project's needs. You’ll have the opportunity to accept or decline participation depending on your interest, schedule, and availability.

How are projects typically managed?
Each project has a dedicated coordinator or point of contact. We use a collaborative and agile approach, with clear scopes of work, milestones, and deliverables. You will work either independently or as part of a small project team, depending on the assignment. Communication is streamlined through virtual platforms, and we promote flexibility, accountability, and responsiveness.

Can I work for The ESG Institute while being employed elsewhere?
Yes. Since our model is based on freelance, project-based collaborations, you are welcome to remain employed elsewhere while being part of our panel. Many of our consultants and trainers balance other professional commitments, academic roles, or independent consulting work alongside their engagements with us. We simply ask that you manage any potential conflicts of interest and ensure you have the necessary flexibility to meet project deadlines or client expectations when you accept an assignment. If your current employer has specific policies regarding outside consulting activities, it is your responsibility to comply with those policies; this is, consultants must ensure there is no conflict with their primary employment.

How does compensation work?
As a freelance role, compensation is negotiated on a per-project basis and takes into account the complexity, duration, scope of work, and your level of expertise. We do not offer fixed salaries or retainers. Depending on the assignment, we may offer an hourly, daily, or fixed-fee structure. All financial terms are clearly communicated and agreed with you upfront. While there is no universal fixed minimum, we ensure that compensation is fair, transparent, and reflective of market standards for freelance sustainability consulting and training. Our goal is to create mutual value and trust in every collaboration.

Is the role remote? Can I work from anywhere?
Yes. The ESG Institute operates on a remote-first model. Our consultants and trainers are based all over the world and collaborate virtually. While most engagements are remote, some projects may offer optional in-person sessions, client meetings, or speaking opportunities depending on your location and interest. There is no requirement to be in a specific time zone, though we do aim for responsiveness and open communication across regions.

Do I sign a formal contract?
Yes. Each consultant signs an agreement with The ESG Institute. This outlines project expectations, confidentiality, payment terms, and other legal considerations.

What qualifications do I need?
We seek professionals with a proven track record in ESG, sustainability, or related disciplines. Typically, we expect a minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience. Familiarity with frameworks like CSRD, ESRS, GRI, ISSB, TCFD, and others is highly valuable. Strong communication skills, collaborative mindset, and the ability to work independently and as a team player are essential.

What types of training and projects are in focus — and can I help shape them?
We are currently delivering and expanding work in areas such as ESG strategy development, ESG Reporting, compliance, sustainable finance, AI, biodiversity, circular economy, stakeholder engagement, etc. On the training side, we offer live webinars, recorded modules, executive briefings, and full certification courses. We also certify educational institutions that provide training in the ESG and sustainability areas. We encourage panel members to co-develop new content, update materials, or propose tools and case studies. Your thought leadership is welcomed and supported.

Is there a minimum number of projects I must accept?
No. You are free to accept only the projects that match your interest and availability. There is no required volume of participation.

What are the typical roles and responsibilities of a Senior Sustainability Advisor at The ESG Institute?
Senior Sustainability Advisors support client projects and training programs based on their expertise and availability. Typical activities include advising on ESG and sustainability strategy, delivering training sessions, helping develop content or tools, and contributing to client assessments and reporting. Participation is flexible, project-based, and always aligned with each advisor’s interests and profile. There is no fixed workload, and each opportunity can be accepted or declined individually.

What is the typical project pipeline and workload expectation?
Project flow varies depending on market demand, seasonality, and your area of expertise. Some months may have more opportunities than others. There is no minimum workload requirement — you can engage in as many or as few projects as align with your interests and availability.

What kind of onboarding or guidance is provided to new consultants?
Once accepted onto the panel, you’ll receive a welcome pack that introduces our mission, values, services, and expectations. We also provide templates, guides, and collaboration tools to help you hit the ground running. While each project team varies, we emphasise a supportive, respectful, and knowledge-sharing culture. You’ll also have the chance to join internal briefings and virtual community events that foster a sense of connection, collaboration and learning.

How are consultants matched to projects?
We match experts to projects based on subject matter expertise, sector and regional experience, language skills, and availability. Our goal is to align consultant strengths with client needs to ensure meaningful, high-impact engagements.

How will I be notified about new project opportunities? Is there a platform to access available assignments?
After you officially join The ESG Institute’s panel, you will gain access to our internal portal where some project opportunities are posted for consultants and trainers to view. In addition to the portal, we often contact panel members directly via email when an opportunity matches their expertise, availability, or sector knowledge. We believe in keeping communication personal, proactive, and flexible. Consultants are free to express interest in assignments through the portal or respond to direct invitations. While we aim to offer visibility through both channels, project flow may vary depending on client demand and alignment with your profile.

Are there long-term opportunities for growth or leadership?
Absolutely. While the role starts as freelance and project-based, we actively nurture long-term relationships with consultants who demonstrate leadership, reliability, and alignment with our mission. Over time, some team members have taken on roles such as regional leads, course developers, strategic advisors, and solutions & content co-creators. We’re building a global movement, and that means creating space for growth. We see our network as a community, not just a gig platform.

Can I propose new ideas or partnerships?
Absolutely. We welcome suggestions for new training topics, partnership opportunities, research initiatives, or events. If your idea aligns with our mission, we’d love to explore it further.

Do I need to bring my own clients, or prospect or survey companies for new work?
No, it is not mandatory. However, we warmly encourage referrals and introductions from our consultants, as they help us expand our impact, reach more organizations globally, and create new opportunities across our network.

What is the anticipated timeline for onboarding after selection?
Once an applicant is selected to join our panel, we aim to complete the onboarding process (signing agreements, sharing welcome materials, and adding you to our network) within 1–2 weeks. Project invitations follow based on alignment with client needs and your expertise. Timing of actual project allocation can vary depending on client demand and seasonality.

Can I sign the agreement with The ESG Institute through my own company or consultancy?
Yes. If you operate through a company (such as a personal consultancy, limited company, or equivalent), it is absolutely possible for the agreement to be signed between your company and The ESG Institute. Many of our consultants prefer this approach for tax, administrative, or professional reasons. When you confirm your acceptance, please simply provide the full legal name of your company, the registered address, and (if applicable) the company registration or VAT number, so we can prepare the agreement accordingly. If you are working independently without a registered company, that is also completely fine — we can prepare the agreement in your personal name.

Is there support for consultants who want to deepen their skills in ESG reporting, frameworks, or other technical areas?
Yes. We encourage continuous learning and skill development. New panel members can access internal briefings, resource libraries, and knowledge-sharing sessions. Where appropriate, we also involve consultants in co-developing training materials, case studies, and pilot programs — offering opportunities to deepen technical expertise across ESG topics.

Does The ESG Institute engage in cross-sector partnerships and regional collaborations, including with governments or academic institutions?
Yes. Our mission extends beyond private sector advisory work. We collaborate with academic institutions, NGOs, multilateral organizations, and public sector entities on sustainability initiatives, training programs, and capacity-building projects. We also support regional ESG priorities, such as emerging sustainable finance taxonomies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

What is The ESG Institute’s approach to incorporating local contexts while maintaining global standards?
We believe that effective ESG and sustainability practices must be both globally aligned and locally relevant. While we guide organizations using global frameworks like CSRD, ESRS, GRI, and TCFD, we adapt strategies to local regulatory contexts, cultural norms, stakeholder expectations, and regional sustainability challenges.

How are compensation rates determined for projects?
Compensation is aligned with the scope, complexity, deliverables, and seniority required for each project. We benchmark rates against market standards for ESG consulting and training work, taking into account regional variations. Rates are always discussed transparently before project confirmation. Our goal is to ensure fair value for both our consultants and our clients.

What is the standard contract period for consultants?
Our service agreement is designed to be flexible and is renewed automatically on an annual basis. Either party — you or The ESG Institute — may decide to pause or terminate the agreement with prior notice. There is no obligation for consultants to engage in a set number of projects; each assignment has its own clearly defined scope, timeline, and deliverables. This structure gives you maximum flexibility to participate when opportunities align with your availability and interests.

How does The ESG Institute stay ahead of regulatory changes and global ESG trends?
We closely monitor regulatory updates such as the CSRD, ISSB standards, the EU Green Deal, SEC climate disclosures, SFDR, and other evolving frameworks. Our leadership team participates in industry forums and working groups to stay at the forefront of ESG thought leadership. We update our services, frameworks, and training content regularly to align with the latest market and policy developments.

Is it mandatory to update my LinkedIn profile with The ESG Institute role?
No, it is optional. However, we encourage you to update your LinkedIn to reflect your affiliation with The ESG Institute as a Senior Sustainability Advisor. This helps raise visibility for your work, strengthens your professional brand, and supports our collective global recognition as a trusted sustainability community.

How diverse is your team?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core to our identity. Our current panel of consultants and trainers spans five continents and brings a wide range of lived experiences, cultural perspectives, and professional backgrounds. We are actively working to ensure gender, regional, and generational representation, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

How does The ESG Institute define success and impact?
We measure success not just by project deliverables, but by the tangible and lasting impact we help generate, whether that’s improved reporting accuracy, stronger ESG governance, elevated stakeholder engagement, or empowered individuals through education. We also look at how our work contributes to broader goals like climate resilience, equity, and ethical leadership. We aim for results that are meaningful, measurable, and aligned with global sustainability ambitions.

How do I stay connected with the Institute and other panel members?
We host virtual knowledge-sharing sessions, share project updates, and maintain collaboration platforms (such as our intranet) for our expert network. While each project team may differ, we aim to foster community and connection across regions and disciplines.