Research Assistant – Fossil Fuels and Just Transitions

Within the broader SEI, this work will align with the Institute’s research and policy engagement on fossil fuel supply and climate change, especially around the dynamics of carbon lock-in and the energy transition. The Research Assistant will work under the leader of the SEI Latin America Fossil Fuels and Just Transitions research line.

Your main responsibilities

• Contribute to new research and analysis on climate and energy policy, particularly related to breaking carbon lock-in and fostering just transition processes beyond fossil fuel extraction
• Help pilot new approaches for assessing carbon lock-in risks and supporting just transition processes
• Implement assigned tasks within internal research initiatives and externally funded projects related to fossil fuels, just transitions, and climate policy, in Latin America primarily, but also in other regions of the world where SEI works (example projects include: Energy Policy Tracker , Production Gap Report , Carbon Lock-In Initiative)
• Help develop activities for stakeholder engagement, capacity building and decision making with public and private institutions in environment and development-related sectors related to energy transitions in Colombia and other Latin American countries
• Work with public and private institutions to collect necessary information for the implementation of projects
• Contribute consistently to a culture of innovation, collegiality, and productivity within the SEI-Latin America Centre.

Who you are

We are looking for a colleague with strong analytical skills who has a broad understanding of the fossil fuel or energy sectors in Colombia, and preferably across Latin America, and ideally also has some experience in topics related to just transitions, climate policy, and/or sustainable development more broadly. Your previous experience can be associated either with academic work carried out on the topic, or with direct participation in the formulation and implementation of policy strategies related to fossil fuel or energy sectors in Colombia, or elsewhere in Latin America.

While the successful candidate will have a good understanding of the fossil fuel sector, we expect that this person will be able to apply their analytical skills to a wide range of sustainability topics. We also expect that this person will have a passion for pursuing a vision for a more sustainable future for our planet and recognize that transitions away from fossil fuel development are key to defining more sustainable economic development pathways.

Required qualifications and experience

• An undergraduate degree in Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Development Studies, Geography, or a related field, in combination with one to three years of professional experience related to sustainability and/or development issues, or a related graduate degree
• Training and/or experience carrying out quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
• Ability to speak and write both Spanish and English with a high level of professional competency. While Spanish is the main language of SEI Latin America and the native language of most of the staff, the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues in other centers requires advanced English proficiency. The ability to speak and write another UN language would be a plus, in particular Portuguese
• Experience working within a research team, writing research and policy analysis, and funding proposals is desirable.

How to apply

We expect to meet, interview, and hire a colleague by March 2021. As such, please submit your application no later than 10 March 2021 so that we can consider your application as we develop a shortlist of promising candidates. Please apply through the link below and include:

• Cover letter highlighting relevant qualifications and experience
• Curriculum vitae