Policy Researcher

About the vacancy

As Policy Researcher, you will participate in a variety of research and training projects for clients from across the globe, covering developments on different policy themes in various geographies. The research will relate to either public policies or private sector policies, or both. In the complex and evolving movement towards more sustainable practices and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the corporate and financial world, both types of policies play important and inter-linked roles.

An important part of your work will be to analyse and benchmark responsible credit and investment policies of financial institutions from all over the world. These assessments are often using the Fair Finance Guide Methodology that we have developed together with civil society organisations (CSOs) from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America collaborating in Fair Finance International. This methodology is based on international standards and initiatives on a broad range of sustainability topics. You will also be involved in the regular updates of this methodology, in (online) trainings for researchers from different Fair Finance countries to use the methodology and in reviewing policy assessments made by these researchers.

For other projects analysing policies of banks and investor policies, you will develop bespoke methodologies focusing on specific sustainability themes, e.g. climate change, deforestation, animal welfare, or human rights. In case studies, you will investigate what banks and investors from across 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 garments) are living up to international standards, in terms of screening, engagement, voting and exclusion.

Other types of private sector policies you might analyse are voluntary certification schemes and procurement policies (such as NDPE policies) in global commodity supply chains, like the forestry, agriculture, mining and fishery sectors. Creating transparency on the criteria included in these policies and assessing them against international standards is crucial to distinguish greenwashing schemes from genuine efforts to push for more sustainability in the corporate world.

The public policies of various governments which you can analyse in other projects deal with market regulation, CSR, environmental and/or trade policies covering many different economic sectors, ranging from agriculture and other commodity sectors to the food, transport, construction, and financial sectors. Of special interest are public policies emerging in various jurisdictions which aim to integrate sustainability criteria in business operations overseas, in supply chains and in financing portfolios.

On all the topics mentioned above, we are also giving trainings to clients worldwide, sometimes online and sometimes in person. Our goal is to involve you in such trainings once your experience with the topic is at 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 in analysing private sector policies and/or public policies on sustainability and social justice topics, preferably related to the financial sector;
• be a versatile and analytically strong researcher who likes to collaborate with a diverse group of colleagues and clients;
• be knowledgeable on sustainability-related issues, preferably on climate change, environmental and biodiversity issues;
• possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to collect, organize, synthesize and explain information clearly and compellingly;
• be comfortable with working on multiple projects with competing deadlines;
• have proven experience in writing and editing well-structured reports in English, while experience in reading and writing in other languages such as Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, etc. is an advantage;
• have some experience with giving trainings and to be eager to develop the required skills further;
• be willing to travel when required for trainings or meetings; and
• live within commuting distance of our office or have the willingness to relocate.

We offer:

• the chance to work on challenging and varied research, advice and capacity building projects with a high social relevance;
• an organisational structure and culture that stimulates your professional development while safeguarding your personal wellbeing;
• collaboration within an international team of highly motivated colleagues with diverse fields of expertise;
• regular contacts with the various civil society and public organisations we work, from all over the globe;
• opportunities to initiate and attract policy-related projects, by reaching out to CSO partners;
• flexible working hours and the freedom to work most of your time from home;
• a friendly office close to the Amsterdam Sloterdijk train station;
• a contract for 32 to 40 hours per week (to be determined in consultation);
• an initial monthly salary (in case you will work 40 hours per week) between € 3,825 and € 4,181, depending on your level of experience; and
• a good pension scheme and other fringe benefits.

Applying:

Profundo is an equal opportunity employer striving for a diverse and inclusive workplace. Applicants from a minority background are especially encouraged to apply.

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

Please send your application, including a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae and a sample of your research work, before 17 October 2024 to vacature@profundo.nl.