April 21, 2022
Senior Legal Researcher, Land, Agriculture and Food Systems
The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) is seeking a Senior Legal Researcher to work on our Land, Agriculture & Food Systems portfolio of projects. The position will support research, advisory work, and the organization and delivery of capacity building programs related to CCSI’s work on strengthening the governance of land-based investment (including agriculture, extractive industries, renewable energy projects, and nature-based solutions).
Specifically, the incumbent will supervise and contribute to ongoing advisory, research, and technical support projects with the goal of advancing more responsible and rights-respecting laws, policies and practices in land and resource investments (e.g. agriculture, renewable energy and mining projects) at the local, national and international level. While much of CCSI’s work takes a global focus, this role also drives CCSI’s technical advisory work with select governments and civil society organizations, as well as CCSI’s engagement of the private sector.
The position will contribute to ongoing projects, including through project and advisory work, desk research and informant interviews, organizing and facilitating events and trainings, establishing and maintaining strong relationships with collaborators, and helping to develop materials for publications, among other possible activities. It requires a high degree of initiative and independent judgment.
This position is based at Columbia University in New York. Full-time remote work is not possible.
For details on the role and on required qualifications, please see a more detailed description here.
Please apply at this link. Note that the link is for an open-rank position; your cover letter should indicate that you are applying for “Senior Legal Researcher: Land, Agriculture & Food Systems,” and speak to the above requirements. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a hard deadline of May 30, 2022.
Legal or Policy Researcher, Land, Agriculture & Food Systems
The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) is hiring a Legal or Policy Researcher to work on our Land, Agriculture & Food Systems portfolio of projects. This position will collaborate with CCSI’s Director and Research Staff to execute the Center’s applied research agenda on the laws, policies, and practices that shape international investment and its alignment with sustainable development and human rights. Specifically, the incumbent will contribute to ongoing projects and research related to trends and developments in international investment policy and legal frameworks, and alternative policies and practices related to international investment, particularly with respect to the Center’s focus on natural resource investments (e.g. land, agriculture and mining), the energy transition, human rights, and finance. This position also supports CCSI’s technical advisory work with select governments, companies, and civil society organizations. The incumbent will contribute to ongoing projects, including through project and advisory work, desk research, stakeholder consultations, organizing and facilitating events and trainings, maintaining contact with collaborators, and helping to develop materials for publications, among other possible activities. Requires a high degree of initiative and independent judgment. In addition to the specifications in the job description linked below, the following qualifications are preferred:
- French or another second language
- Interest in and knowledge of international investment law and policy, international human rights law, developments in the field of business and human rights, climate change, and/or land governance
- Experience collaborating with Global South-based actors, governments, civil society, and/or UN agencies
- Experience convening events
This position is based at Columbia University in New York. Full-time remote work is not possible.
For further details, and to apply, please see here. Note that the link is for an open-rank position; your cover letter should indicate that you are applying for “Legal or Policy Researcher: Land, Agriculture & Food Systems,” and speak to the above requirements. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a hard deadline of May 30, 2022.
(Please do not apply directly to CCSI's email account).