Policy Researcher

About the job opening

As a Policy Researcher, you will participate in a variety of research and training projects for clients from around the world, covering developments in various policy areas across different regions. The research will focus on either public policies or private sector policies, or both. In the complex and evolving shift toward more sustainable practices and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the corporate and financial sectors, both types of policies play important and interrelated roles.

An important part of your work will be to analyze and benchmark the responsible credit and investment policies of financial institutions from around the world. These assessments often utilize the Fair Finance Guide Methodology, which we have developed in collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America working together within Fair Finance International. This methodology is based on international standards and initiatives covering a wide range of sustainability topics. You will also be involved in regularly updating this methodology, conducting (online) training sessions for researchers from various Fair Finance countries on how to use the methodology, and reviewing policy assessments prepared by these researchers.

For other projects analyzing bank and investor policies, you will develop customized methodologies focused on specific sustainability themes, such as climate change, deforestation, animal welfare, or human rights. In case studies, you will investigate what banks and investors from around the world are doing in practice to ensure that the companies they invest in or finance (active in sectors such as mining, agribusiness, construction, or apparel) are living up to international standards in terms of screening, engagement, voting, and exclusion.

Other types of private-sector policies you might analyze include voluntary certification schemes and procurement policies (such as NDPE policies) in global commodity supply chains, such as the forestry, agriculture, mining, and fisheries sectors. Creating transparency regarding the criteria included in these policies and assessing them against international standards is crucial to distinguishing greenwashing schemes from genuine efforts to promote greater sustainability in the corporate world.

The public policies of various governments—which you can analyze in other projects—address market regulation, corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental, and/or trade policies across many different economic sectors, ranging from agriculture and other commodity sectors to the food, transportation, construction, and financial sectors. Of particular interest are public policies emerging in various jurisdictions that aim to integrate sustainability criteria into business operations overseas, supply chains, and investment portfolios.

We also offer training on all the topics mentioned above to clients around the world, sometimes online and sometimes in person. Our goal is to involve you in these training sessions once your experience with the topic has reached the required level.

We expect you to:

• have a university degree in a relevant field of study;
• be passionate about contributing to a socially just and sustainable world;
• have four to eight years of research experience analyzing private-sector policies and/or public policies on sustainability and social justice issues, preferably related to the financial sector;
• be a versatile and analytically strong researcher who enjoys collaborating with a diverse group of colleagues and clients;
• be knowledgeable about sustainability-related issues, preferably regarding climate change, environmental issues, and biodiversity;
• possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collect, organize, synthesize, and explain information clearly and persuasively;
• be comfortable working on multiple projects with competing deadlines;
• have proven experience in writing and editing well-structured reports in English; experience in reading and writing in other languages, such as Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, etc., is a plus;
• have some experience in conducting training sessions and be eager to further develop the necessary skills;
• be willing to travel when necessary for training sessions or meetings; and
• live within commuting distance of our office or be willing to relocate.

We offer:

• the opportunity to work on challenging and diverse research, advisory, and capacity-building projects with significant social impact;
• an organizational structure and culture that fosters your professional growth while ensuring your personal well-being;
• collaboration within an international team of highly motivated colleagues with diverse areas of expertise;
• regular contact with the various civil society and public organizations we work with, from all over the world;
• opportunities to initiate and attract policy-related projects by reaching out to CSO partners;
• flexible working hours and the freedom to work from home most of the time;
• a friendly office near the Amsterdam Sloterdijk train station;
• a contract for 32 to 40 hours per week (to be determined by mutual agreement);
• an initial monthly salary (assuming a 40-hour workweek) ranging from €3,825 to €4,181, depending on your level of experience; and
• a good pension plan and other benefits.

To apply:

Profundo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We especially encourage applicants from underrepresented groups to apply.

We plan to fill this position in January 2025. For more information about Profundo, please visit our website (www.profundo.nl). If you have further questions about this position, feel free to send an email to Jan Willem van Gelder (jw.vangelder@profundo.nl).

Please send your application, including a cover letter, a resume, and a sample of your research work, by October 17, 2024, to vacature@profundo.nl.