Senior Research Fellow

ODI Global is an independent, global think tank working towards a sustainable and peaceful world in which every person thrives. We harness the power of evidence and ideas through research and partnership to confront challenges, develop solutions and create change.

The Climate and Sustainability Programme at ODI Global is looking for two new highly qualified and deeply dedicated colleagues to further our work on climate finance and energy transitions. You will be joining a dynamic and diverse team that works closely with like-minded governments, civil society organisations and multilateral agencies to accelerate climate action and protect nature.

Senior Research Fellows at ODI Global are widely recognised as established authorities in their particular research or policy field. You will have a substantial and distinctive body of research, advisory work and/or public affairs to your name.

Purpose of the Job

As a Senior Research Fellow, you will be responsible for:

• Designing, fundraising for, conducting and managing high-quality, innovative projects, drawing on expertise across the Institute.
• Providing technical assistance and policy advice to senior decision-makers.
• Participating in public affairs and representing the Institute on major research and policy agendas in line with the Institute's overall strategy (which includes a dedicated pillar on tackling the climate, environment and biodiversity crisis).

While based in the Climate and Sustainability Programme, you will have the opportunity to work with ODI Global colleagues across other programmes, as well as with our exceptional network of partners and clients, including national and subnational governments, civil society organisations, businesses and research institutes on six continents.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

• Developing new concepts and ideas to extend intellectual understanding and inform policy and practice in your field of expertise (climate finance and/or energy transitions).
• Authoring research reports, policy briefs and other documents for publication by designing and undertaking analysis and interpreting, evaluating and writing up the findings.
• Undertaking quality assurance and peer review of research relating to climate finance and/or energy transitions.
• Guiding or supporting the research of other staff engaging with climate finance and/or energy transitions.

Policy Advice, Public Affairs, and Dissemination

• Providing senior-level representation and leading external engagement relating to climate finance and/or energy transitions.
• Monitoring and analysing developments in the external environment to create opportunities for policy influencing and ensuring that policy advice is timely and relevant.
• Using and building relevant networks (advisory committees, steering groups, etc.) to enable policy influencing and other impacts and to support business development.
• Disseminating the results of research through publications in peer-reviewed journals, broadcast, print and social media; organising events and presenting at conferences, etc.

Some travel may be required for research, policy advice and public affairs.

Funding

• Securing external funding to sustain one's own professional activities and to help cover programme and institutional costs.
• Nurturing and managing relationships with key clients and donors.

Line Management

• Recruiting, inducting, developing, and supporting directly managed staff to deliver high-quality work and to support their professional development and well-being.
• Reviewing resource needs and implementing strategies to meet the changing workloads of direct line reports.
• Setting appropriate objectives aligned with team/institutional priorities and monitoring and managing performance against these.

Project Management

• Taking responsibility for the implementation and administrative and financial management of your own projects, including managing staff, partners and consultants to deliver high-quality work to schedule and within budget.
• Liaising with and reporting to donors and clients for your own projects and those of direct reports, working closely with the team's project managers.
• Contributing to the development and management of the team and Institute's annual plans and medium- and long-term strategies as needed.

Collegiate Life

• Actively seeking out, creating and promoting opportunities for cross-ODI Global working, including through joining activities as discussion groups, staff meetings, working groups and interview panels.
• Undertaking peer reviews and providing analytical guidance to colleagues working in related arenas.
• Providing mentoring for less experienced research staff and supporting them as they begin to lead projects of their own.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Internationally recognised expert in your own field.
• A post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Extensive and deep knowledge of key issues and organisations in a relevant field.

Experience

• Extensive experience in policy-oriented research and/or direct policy formulation at a senior level, demonstrated by a track record of influential publications and/or delivery of major policy initiatives.
• Experience of leadership and management at a senior level in an academic or policy environment.
• Strong track record of engagement in major global policy processes (such as United Nations, multilateral development banks or G7/G20 initiatives) and/or with politicians and top-level officials in economies at diverse levels of income.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Capacity to write clearly and persuasively and first-class verbal communication skills.
• A demonstrated capacity for policy advisory and/or public affairs work based on a rigorous approach and an innovative and creative communications ability.
• Ability to translate research and policy ideas into compelling and fundable projects and initiatives.
• Skills in negotiation, listening, communication of ideas, problem-solving and decision-making.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, providing both leadership and mentoring for less senior staff.
• Proven organisational and time management skills, including managing a complex and varied workload.
• Proven ability to fundraise and build up a coherent portfolio of research and advisory work.

Desirable

• Fluency or competency in a language or languages other than English.
• Experience of working in different cultural contexts and at a regional/global scale.
• A PhD on a relevant topic and regular contributions to academic journals, including in an editorial capacity.

Why Should You Work for Us?

ODI Global is committed to developing and supporting diverse and inclusive teams of people who share our passion, where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We welcome applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds, including those who experience intersectional marginalisation on the basis of their class, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious identity or belief, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We also welcome applications from those living with disabilities.

Benefits

We prioritise the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth. Enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, including public holidays and additional time off during Christmas and New Year. We also recognise the importance of work/life balance and offer flexible working arrangements, remote work options, and study leave to support your professional development.

Our commitment to employee well-being extends beyond annual leave. We provide comprehensive benefits such as maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave, competitive pension schemes and interest-free travel loans (varies by local jurisdictions). We offer sick pay, an Employee Assistance Programme, and staff events and social activities to ensure your physical and mental health.

At ODI Global, we believe that a supportive and rewarding work environment is essential for success. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to your well-being and professional growth.

For a full listing of benefits, please visit our Careers page .

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: 6 April 2025.