Principal Researcher

Principal Researcher
Hybrid (within UK or outside the UK)

About Us

The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) is a policy and action research organisation promoting sustainable development and linking local priorities to global challenges. We are based in London and work across five continents with some of the world’s most vulnerable people to strengthen their voices in the decision-making arenas that affect them. With more than 150 members of staff working with associates and partners around the world, IIED has been at the forefront of evidence-based policymaking in sustainable development for over 50 years.

Our Climate Change Group (CCG) works with those who have less voice and power in climate decision-making to co-create solutions that shape pathways and drive action for a just and sustainable future.

We are now looking for a Principal Researcher to join us on a permanent, full-time basis.

The Benefits

- Salary of £62,202 - £77,403 per annum, depending on experience
- 25 days' annual leave per year, increasing with service
- Closure between Christmas and new year with additional paid holiday
- 7.5% employer's pension contributions
- An employee protection scheme offering a flexible menu of benefits
- An interest-free season-ticket loan
- A cycle-to-work scheme offering tax savings on the cost of purchasing a bike for travel to and from work
- An employee assistance programme
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption policies
- Enhanced sick pay entitlements, increasing with length of service
- Flexible working options
- Support for learning and development
- Compassionate leave up to ten days per annum
- Dependents leave
- Eye tests and glasses
- Therapy treatment

If you’re an experienced climate-adaptation or international development professional with expertise in policy research, finance and LDCs and/or LMICs, this is the perfect opportunity to join our organisation.

In this highly rewarding role, you will have the chance to develop and guide research and a team that supports local and marginalised communities, strengthening their voice in the decision-making arena.

The Role

As Principal Researcher, you will design and lead a portfolio of research and policy influencing work on climate finance.

You will focus on scaling locally led adaptation approaches with partners across the Global South and reforming the international climate finance system to increase availability for locally led action. You will also support the development of the institutions, governance structures and financial mechanisms needed to access and use climate finance.

Leading a team of researchers and project managers, and liaising widely with others, you will strategically identify barriers and opportunities to reform the global climate finance system in support of equitable, locally-led climate action. You will also provide intellectual expertise on climate finance, developing and applying cutting-edge concepts, theoretical frameworks and research approaches.

If you are interested in this work, but are not ready for Principal Researcher level, we will be advertising a similar role at the Senior Researcher level in a couple of weeks. Look out for that advert!

About You

To be considered as a Principal Researcher, you will need:

- Significant demonstrable experience working on climate adaptation and/or international development issues in LDCs and/or LMICs
- Significant demonstrable experience working on climate and/or development finance
- A proven track record of designing and implementing research projects, policy analysis or programme evaluations on climate finance and climate adaptation policy in LDCs or LMICs
- Experience in and aptitude for managing diverse teams to achieve results in line with multiple project plans, and ability to work well collaboratively
- A track record of raising and managing significant project funding from institutional donors
- Existing relationships with potential funders, such as donor agencies, foundations or social impact investors
- Willingness and ability to travel for work
- At least a Master’s degree in Climate Finance, Climate Change, Development Studies, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, International Finance or a related discipline

Please note, this role is also open to those who live outside the UK, as long as you have the right to work in the country you wish to reside in. IIED will support a UK visa for this role if re-location is requested.

The salary range advertised in GBP is applicable in the UK only, and the salary offer in another country would depend on the local terms and conditions. We only use the UK salary structure to determine starting salaries, but it will not apply to salaries outside the UK thereafter.

The closing date for this role is the 18th September 2023 (UK time).

Other organisations may call this role Senior Researcher, Senior or Principal Research Officer, or Senior Research Associate.

Webrecruit and Institute for Environment and Development are equal opportunities employers, we value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

So, if you want to join our outstanding organisation as a Principal Researcher, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.