Origin Green Ambassador Programme

The Programme Structure

This 22 month programme is a combination of real-world and academic learning, blending block release modules and continuous project work.   On placement, you will be assigned to international food and drink companies and work on live sustainability projects.

Some key elements of the programme include:

• Internationally-recognised Masters with UCD Smurfit Business School - MSc Business Sustainability
•   Overseas and domestic placements with the world’s leading global brands. These have included: Starbucks, Nestle, Danone, McDonalds, Coca Cola, Subway, Amazon, Costco, Sainsbury’s, Five Guys, Diageo, Marks & Spencer, Mars, Tesco, Alibaba, Sodexo, Bidvest, Bunge and Pepsico, among others
• Full tuition fees paid and bursary towards living expenses awarded
• Applications welcome from graduates with a minimum of 4 years’ experience 
• Outstanding career prospects and professional development

Who is this programme for?

• High achievers who demonstrate the potential to be effective leaders in industry
• Highly experienced participants who have a genuine interest in the area of sustainability
• Experienced functional or technical specialists in transition to a change management role
• Participants who have key technical skills from the food, agricultural and environmental industry
• Participants with advanced language skills who have experience working in the area of social responsibility and sustainability

Key Benefits

• Professional & Career Development - Through a combination of your participation in academic modules and placements over the 22 months you will enhance your professional and career development in the Irish Food, Drink and Horticulture industry exponentially. Extensive training in the areas of: Consumer Insights, Sustainability Brand Marketing, Digital Innovation and Leadership
• Scholarship Bursary -  A monthly scholarship bursary to assist with your living expenses in your given market.
• Full-funded Masters Degree - An internationally recognised level 9 accredited MSc degree in Business Sustainability from Ireland's leading business school UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. This Masters programme is fully-funded by Bord Bia. No academic fees incurred by participants.
• Food Industry Experience - You will be placed with Bord Bia client companies and customers with a view to put a spotlight on Origin Green, apply your in-class learnings into their sustainability departments and complete your placement brief . You will immerse yourself into the local food/drink industry community and be working on projects with people from various cultures, backgrounds and experiences. You will gain extensive experience in the areas of sustainability, regenerative agriculture, consumer insights, ESG and leadership etc.
• Member of Bord Bia Talent Academy Alumni Network - Once you join the programme you will be part of the Bord Bia Talent Academy Alumni Network. e.g. access to network of job opportunities, alumni events, guest speakers, mentorship.
• Student Assistance Programme (SAP) - Your health and wellbeing is extremely important to us at UCD-Bord Bia Talent Academy. You will have access to various supports e.g. 24/7 counselling, digital gym and recipes through the online SAP application
• Laptop - A complimentary laptop will be provided to you at the start of the programme for you to use during your academic and learning assignment activities which you will keep post-programme.
• Flights - Your flights from Ireland to your assigned client company location at the end of induction period will be covered. Also the return flights for block-release lectures in UCD from your assigned country will be covered. For those not currently resident in Ireland, you will have to pay for your flight to Ireland to commence the programme.

Employment prospects are outstanding with numerous companies regularly recruiting directly including Kerry, Tirlán, Ornua, Dawn Meats, Dawn Farm Foods, Dairygold, Kepak, Lidl, Bunge, Diageo, Alibaba, Sainsbury’s among many more.