August 17, 2021
This role can be based in either the London or Edinburgh IIED offices. We may also be able to consider placement in sub-Saharan Africa Whilst this role is assigned to an IIED office, IIED will remain a predominately remote-working organisation for the foreseeable future We encourage applications from the Global South
The closing deadline for applications is midnight on 12 September 2021 Interviews will be held the week commencing 27 September 2021
About Us
The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) is a policy and action research organisation. We promote sustainable development to improve livelihoods and protect the environments on which these livelihoods are built. We specialise in linking local priorities to global challenges. IIED is based in London and Edinburgh and works in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the Pacific, with some of the world’s most vulnerable people. We work with them to strengthen their voice in the decision-making arenas that affect them - from village councils to international conventions.
Our Natural Resources Group (NRG) seeks to promote sustainable governance of natural resources by building capacity and promoting informed decision-making in communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
We are currently looking for a Senior Researcher to join our Legal Tools Team, based within the NRG, and work from either London or Edinburgh.
The Benefits
- Salary of £42,924 - £53,374 p.a. (up to £58,454 per annum depending on experience)
- Benefits package
This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with experience of law in a sustainable development context in Sub-Saharan Africa to influence work that seeks to strengthen rights in the context of land-based investments.
Joining a highly skilled team, you will be able to expand upon your knowledge and experience, contribute your own expertise and make a real impact on our outputs in the Sub-Saharan region.
The Role
As a Senior Researcher in the Legal Tools Team, you will be responsible for designing and managing action research programmes to strengthen the governance of land and land-based investment.
Developing workplans and budgets, you will make decisions on the allocation of project funds and monitor expenditure in collaboration with the team’s Finance Co-ordinator.
You will also conduct collaborative research with colleagues and/or partner organisations in low and middle-income countries and analyse and communicate findings to reach policy audiences.
About You
You will need substantial practical experience with law in a sustainable development context in Sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating proven skills in:
- Legal, socio-legal and/or interdisciplinary action-research
- Knowledge, and preferably direct experience, of working with international development actors such as grassroots groups, national NGOs, government institutions, international and multilateral agencies
- Capacity support work, policy advocacy and communication with diverse audiences
- Demonstrated capacity to manage substantial projects and budgets and to build and maintain collaborative partnerships
- A sustained track record in securing funding for different projects from a variety of donors
You will also need:
- Excellent research and writing skills with the ability to articulate and synthesise complex issues to non-specialist audiences and to write effectively in different styles and forms
- Excellent management skills in projects, people, budgets and M&E
- A post-graduate degree in Law (other disciplines such as political economy, development studies or a relevant social science will be considered if presenting a strong law orientation)
Specific expertise in participatory/empowerment approaches in a low- and middle-income country context would be beneficial to your application, as would a substantial track record of policy oriented written work e.g. research reports, policy briefs, tools or toolkits, blogs, products in other media formats such as film or radio.
Experience of working with the private sector, field experience with developing legal empowerment work in relation to natural resource investments in a low or middle-income country, and experience of building and sustaining international project teams, including from a distance would also be advantageous.
Professional working proficiency in French or another relevant language (both written and verbal), in additional to English, would be desirable for this role.
Other organisations may call this role Senior Policy Researcher, Research Manager, Senior Legal Researcher, Legal Research Associate, or Senior Policy Development Researcher.
Webrecruit and IIED are equal opportunities employers. We value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment.
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