Researcher/Campaigner: Timber, Sanctions And Northern Forests

Full-time, with flexible hours and some homeworking considered

Interested in an exciting role which helps protect forests, the climate and human rights? This may be the job for you.

Earthsight is looking for a Researcher/Campaigner to work alongside our Northern Forests Team Lead delivering impactful research, analyses and advocacy on wood products supply chains.

Earthsight is a non-profit organisation dedicated to researching and investigating environmental and social crime and injustice. We use cutting-edge investigative methods to uncover and expose wrongdoing. Since emerging as a fully-fledged organisation in 2016, our reports have garnered headlines, won awards and triggered major changes by governments and corporations.

We seek to create positive change by influencing government policy, uncovering greenwash and raising awareness among key constituencies about the impacts of global supply chains on the world’s forests and forest communities.

Over the years Earthsight has played a leading role investigating and exposing the links between illegal timber from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus and Western importers and retailers. We have shone a light on how flawed certification schemes are undermining effective law enforcement in Western markets and sought to influence internal reform at these bodies. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has prompted new focus on uncovering how Russian and Belarussian wood products still reach Western consumers and support these countries’ economies despite Western sanctions against them.

You will play a crucial role by helping drive forward Earthsight’s efforts to clean up global wood supply chains, including by debunking industry spin and monitoring and analysing relevant green labels and traceability technologies. You will support the delivery of advocacy campaigns aimed at key stakeholders to help strengthen law enforcement and increase transparency in opaque markets. You will also help expose how Western markets continue to fuel Russia and Belarus’ timber sectors, including through supply chains that are in breach of EU/US timber regulations or sanctions.

The position is offered as a full-time permanent contract. The successful candidate would preferably be based in the UK and able to come into our office in London regularly. Earthsight is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring careers in the charity sector are open to all. We value difference and believe it enhances our capabilities. We therefore particularly encourage applications from people from a range of different backgrounds.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Monitor relevant media, NGO, think-tank, government and academic reports on EU, UK and US supply chains linked to forests and other biomes in relevant producing regions, including related to relevant sanctions on Russia and Belarus
• Monitor developments with industry lobbying efforts – particularly in relation to certification and traceability systems and technologies
• Provide regular summaries from this monitoring to the team lead
• Build and maintain a strong understanding of relevant trade links between key producing regions and consumer countries/regions of particular interest (e.g. EU, UK, US), through analysis of third-party reports, raw trade data and shipment records
• Keep abreast of wider policy and industry developments in key producer countries, including case studies of deforestation or rights abuses related to relevant commodities, general developments with forests and with government policy related to the impact of commodities on forests and other biomes
• Carry out additional desk research into chosen case studies, including by exploring shipment data, company reports and websites, satellite imagery, corporate records and trading websites, and holding remote meetings with relevant actors including researchers and activists in the countries concerned
• Assist in planning and carrying out field research on selected cases if needed
• Provide detailed reports of research findings for internal review
• Assist with turning research findings into published reports, analyses, policy messages and recommendations, films and other external outputs
• Assist with efforts to secure media coverage for reports, analyses and op-eds, including by helping draft press releases and brief journalists on details of research
• Support team lead in developing and implementing advocacy activities based on research findings and the organisation’s overall strategic goals, including by participating in meetings with policymakers, civil servants, NGOs and other key stakeholders
• Help build and maintain relevant contacts, including with NGOs, journalists and researchers in key countries
• Other suitable tasks as required by the team lead, such as supporting tropical timber research carried out by other teams

Person specification

Essential

• At least three years’ paid experience working as a campaigner, researcher or journalist on environment, forests, climate change, human rights or a related field
• Excellent research and/or campaigning skills with proven ability to find and analyse complex information from a variety of sources to produce meaningful content or influence change
• Ability to find and develop sources, and maintain effective contacts and relationships
• Strong attention to detail and factual accuracy
• Excellent written English skills with ability to produce clear and compelling reports, blogs and press releases
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Self-motivated and collaborative team player

Ideal

• Fluency in Russian, Polish or Ukrainian

Desirable

• Experience working with shipment records and satellite imagery
• Knowledge of GIS software and platforms
• Formal training in investigative journalistic techniques

Benefits

Among what Earthsight offers is:

• Generous employer’s pension contribution
• Flexible and hybrid working policies
• 25 days annual leave with one extra day for every year with the organisation (up to 30 days)
• Cycling to work scheme

How to apply

Please complete and submit this application form by 18th June 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview and a writing or research test. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.