International Institute for Environment and Development
Researcher: Urban Risk and Resilience London (with options for sponsorship for overseas candidates to work in the UK)
Home working in any country outside the UK may be considered, given that the candidate has the right to work in that country, and the pay and benefits package will depend on the country where the successful candidate lives/works.
The Organisation
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 on five continents with some of the world’s most vulnerable people to strengthen their voice 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.
This is a permanent, full/part-time role based in the Human Settlements Group, which has worked on urban environmental and poverty issues since the 1970s aiming to support more equitable and sustainable development in urban centres in low- and middle-income countries. Our poverty focus is vital and informs everything we do because people on very low incomes, living in slums or squatter settlements, are the most vulnerable to environmental challenges.
We are now seeking a Researcher to join our Human Settlements Group. We are also happy to discuss part-time working arrangements between three and five days per week.
The Benefits
– A salary of between £41,031 – £50,976 per annum – 25 days’ annual leave per year, increasing annually up to 30 days’ for full-time staff with 10 years’ service – 7.5% employer’s pension contributions to the IIED pension scheme – A range of flexible working options for all employees after a qualifying period – Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption policies – An employee protection scheme offering a flexible menu of benefits such as life insurance, spouse and partner life cover, critical illness and/or income protection cover
The full range of benefits can be found on our website.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced, high-calibre research professional, looking for an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to climate resilience in the global South.
Shaping and co-ordinating our research projects across the global South, you will have the opportunity to exponentially increase your network, gain professional exposure and develop your research skill set across a range of contexts.
So, if you have the research experience to drive our development programmes on the international stage and have been looking for an opportunity to have a real impact on the ground, this is the perfect role for you.
The Role
As a Researcher, you will contribute to our Human Settlements Group’s work on urban risk and resilience in the context of complex social and environmental challenges within the Global South.
Identifying research themes and policy engagement opportunities, you will contribute to promoting development pathways that bridge the needs of low-income urban groups. You will ensure they recognise social and environmental interdependencies and emphasise local decision-making and priority-setting.
Utilising your networking capacities, you will develop and build strategic partnerships with a range of external local and international organisations as well as potential funding donors.
Additionally, you will
– Co-ordinate projects from start to completion, including project budgets and donor financial reporting – Manage the delivery of outputs by project partners – Manage partner and subcontractor relationships
About You
To be considered a Researcher, you will need:
– Relevant experience of research in low- and middle-income countries – Evidence of a productive research background – Experience of organising and delivering remote and in-person seminars and workshops – Experience of managing Monitoring & Evaluation areas for projects – Evidence of successfully preparing funding proposals from a range of donors – Experience of publishing work in working papers, research reports, academic journals or books – Advanced knowledge of MS Office software – The ability to draft, manage and monitor budgets – Excellent English communication skills – Excellent project and/or programme management and collaboration skills – Strong interpersonal skills across a variety of cultures and backgrounds – The willingness to travel overseas commensurate with project requirements – A postgraduate degree in development studies, urban studies or climate and/or disaster studies
Ideally, you will have a PhD (or equivalent work experience) in a related discipline, that has equipped you with knowledge of major urban resilience frameworks, knowledge of IPCC models on cities and climate as well as qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
It would be highly beneficial to have professional experience in research team management and of developing research uptake and communications strategies, such as leading and presenting in major global fora (such as WUF or CoP).
Additionally, working knowledge of a language spoken in the global South would be highly advantageous (in addition to fluency in English).
Other organisations might call this position Urban Risk and Resilience Researcher, Climate Resilience Researcher, Qualitative Researcher, Social Scientist, Policy Analyst, or Research Associate.
IIED is a committed Disability Confident and accredited Living Wage employer, committed to equal opportunities and the highest standards of diversity, fairness and equality.
So, if you’re ready to co-ordinate our research programmes as a 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.