Bord Bia has said that the inaugural Origin Green Ambassador 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. 10 ambitious professionals were appointed as Origin Green Ambassadors in 2013 and have since completed placements with more than 20 global industry leaders. As a result of its success, Bord Bia is now seeking expressions of interest from potential candidates to begin another 2 year programme in August.
Origin Green is the sustainability programme 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.
Michael Murphy, Director of Markets, Bord Bia said “This scholarship programme is truly game-changing as it gives us a platform to promote Origin Green and the sustainability credentials of the Irish food industry among leading global players, while gaining invaluable insights into how these companies are managing their sustainability agenda on a global scale. 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.”
Interntional Industry Placements
Over the past 18 months, the 10 Origin Green Ambassadors have developed an expertise in food sustainability through industry placements in international companies such as Coca-Cola, Abbott, the World Bank, Walmart, Bunge, Starbucks and the World Wildlife Fund in the US; McDonalds, Tesco, Subway, Unilever and Marks & Spencer in the UK; Nestle in Switzerland; Metro Group in Germany; and Ahold in Denmark.
Shane Hamill from Malahide in Dublin is currently on placement at the World Bank. He said, “The World Bank believes that improving agricultural performance is an indispensable tool for ending global poverty and hunger as well as boosting shared prosperity. I believe that Ireland can support this goal by sharing its unique model of a sustainable food production system. In his blog, Juergen Voegele, senior director of the World Bank’s Agriculture Global Practice spoke about the challenge of feeding up to 9 billion people by 2050, noting that “Ireland has shown us one way it can be done.”
How to apply
Applications can be made by visiting www.smurfitschool.ie/bordbia. The closing date for applications is 30th April 2015.
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.
The MSc in Business Sustainability is an internationally recognised master’s degree, designed blending action learning with a ‘block-release’ academic business education and training. Applicants must have a keen interest in sustainability and business and some placements will require fluency in a second language.
