Researcher (fixed term for three months)

We are working to get the UK government to act to reduce the carbon emissions generated abroad for goods we import. This would incentivise global supply chains to cut their emissions, saving money in the process, and support low-carbon industries, which can be undercut by imports from places with fewer climate regulations. See our inspiration page for more.

You will be joining us at an exciting time. We have just started out, having received funding from a leading philanthropic foundation and will be publishing research in early 2023 that presents UK politicians and media with the case for the government to take action. That’s where you come in.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and talented researcher with a passion for getting the government to take more climate action, and an interest in discovering more about private sector supply chains. The job will be to extract meaningful insights from sustainability reports, policy research and trade data and distil it into that will persuade journalists and politicians of the case for action on imported emissions. This will include looking at the carbon footprints of the supply chains of leading UK companies and evaluating different policy options – including mandating the disclosure of supply chain emissions, tightening product standards and extending UK carbon prices to imports of heavy industrial goods (known as carbon border adjustment mechanisms), although the remit of the research will be shaped by the successful candidate. This research will likely be covered in the UK press and get interest from UK politicians and environmental NGOs working on climate policy, with the potential for cross-party support.

The successful candidate will report to the founder and director who has experience researching private sector climate action and getting publicity for it. The candidate will also have the chance to work with the wider campaign team, including a range of advisors with experience in campaigning, sustainability, community organising and public policy. 

It’s a fantastic opportunity to contribute to an innovative climate campaign tackling one of the world’s biggest problems: global emissions are still on the increase, and the products Global North countries import is big cause of that. But the seriousness of the task is not going to stop us having fun while working, taking good care of ourselves, and maintaining a focus on personal development – with feedback exchanged regularly. 

Responsibilities

• Undertake and project manage research into the carbon emissions of the imported products in the supply chains of high-profile UK companies, and the options for government to reduce them. This will involve summarising sustainability reports, policy research and trade data 
• Produce a range of written copy, building insightful and compelling content for the campaign
• Identify trends and opportunities to improve research and campaign strategy, informing the development of the organisation
• Undertake other research and communications tasks as required.

What we are looking for

• A keen interest in climate policy, companies’ carbon emissions, and their efforts to reduce them
• A good all-round researcher with experience undertaking quantitative and qualitative research including data analysis and literature reviews. Someone who is willing to dig in and find the stories that bring to life the whole picture 
• Excellent writing skills and an ability to translate complex issues into clear language, with attention to detail to deliver high-quality end results
• A self-starter, able to work independently, and a completer-finisher, able to manage time pro-actively to deliver the task at hand
• (Desirable) Knowledge of carbon emissions accounting and/or climate policies
• (Desirable) A flair for thinking creatively in order to use a range of media to bring information to life (infographics, videos) 
• (Desirable) Experience working or volunteering on a campaign.

Details 

• £22k annual salary (London Living Wage) pro-rata for three months full-time, although we could be flexible for the right candidate. There is a possibility of extension and pay-rise beyond the three months
• 30 days pro-rata of paid holiday plus your birthday
• Hybrid working, with access to a central London office
• Join a not-for-profit organisation bringing about an innovative climate policy
• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK
• Immediate start of 28th November, although we could be flexible by a week or two for the right candidate. 

To apply, please email a copy of your CV and a cover letter of no more than 500 words to info [at] cleantrade [dot] org [dot] uk.

The deadline is 9am Monday 14th November. Interviews will take place between 17th and 24th November.

We are committed to hiring diversely and inclusively. We especially want to hear from ethnic minority candidates and/or those who’ve experienced social disadvantage.