Based: Shoreditch, London
Application deadline: 4th January 2016
Salary: £25,000 + contributory pension
Terms: Full-time, one-year fixed term contract (renewable)
Benefits: 25 days holiday; cycle-to-work scheme
Have you ever ‘blagged’ anything? Are you comfortable pretending to be someone you are not? Do you thrive on the excitement of finding things out? Can you scan large quantities of information rapidly, extracting the key facts? Can you cite examples of how your doggedness and cunning have uncovered information that most other people would never have found? Do you get mocked for your love of spreadsheets?
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to join a growing organisation which is entering a new phase of its existence.
The position will involve extensive on-the-job training, under the direct tutelage of the Director and Head of Research. The successful candidate is expected to progress rapidly in their level of skills and seniority, and help shape the organisation’s direction and development.
The position may suit someone with some experience in journalism as well as those with experience in the charity sector. Candidates are expected to be able to demonstrate a very high level of intelligence, resourcefulness and tenacity.
The position is offered as a one-year fixed term contract (renewable), with extension conditional on availability of sufficient funds.
Job description
Carry out desk and field-based research relating to international corporate environmental & social crime and injustice, under the guidance of the Director and Head of Research
Desk-based research is expected to include analysis of trade data, company reports, company websites, satellite imagery, and trading websites; it may also include the development and maintenance of industry sources, and undercover work
Manage relationships with partner organisations in developing countries
Assist with general organisational administration, including budgeting and financial management, establishment and maintenance of websites, management of consultants, purchasing, and IT
Any other appropriate tasks as determined by the Director or Head of Research
Person specification
Essential
Passionate desire to make the world a better place
Degree-level education (2.1 or higher), or equivalent experience
Extremely intelligent and a quick learner
Excellent spoken and written English-language skills
Intermediate or advanced user of MS Office (especially MS Excel)
Confident, with good interpersonal skills
Dogged, tenacious and resourceful
Demonstrable research skills
Willingness to travel internationally for extended periods, at relatively short notice
Right to work in the UK
Desirable
Degree or higher degree in a relevant discipline (eg. Geography, Development Studies)
Some training and skills in the use of GIS software
Experience in journalism or other research-related fields (e.g. TV production)
Foreign language skills (particularly Chinese, but also French, Spanish, Indonesian)
Formal training, experience or demonstrable skills in photography or film-making
Some experience of managing staff or consultants
Experience of managing budgets and financial administration
Earthsight is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to keeping careers in the charity sector open to people from a range of backgrounds.
How to apply
Application Details: Please send a CV (maximum 2 pages), and a covering letter (maximum 1 page) explaining why you are the best person for this role to: info@earthsight.org.uk, putting ‘Researcher Job’ in the subject line of your email.
Closing Date: 5pm 4th January 2015
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
About Earthsight
Earthsight is a non-profit organisation dedicated to researching and investigating environmental and social crime and injustice. Since its foundation in 2007, Earthsight has carried out ground-breaking research and investigative work on a range of issues, including illegal logging and the international trade in illegal wood, international smuggling of electronic waste, the illicit trade in wildlife, and unethical practices in clothing production. Earthsight has provided research and investigative assistance to many major environment, development and human rights NGOs, including Greenpeace, Global Witness, Oxfam and Action Aid, and also worked directly with the media, including BBC Panorama. Earthsight has recently received direct donor funding to carry out its own research and investigations and is now seeking to expand.