How to apply
Use the Apply now button below to submit your application. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.
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
Use the Apply now button below to submit your application. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.
Questions?
Inquiries concerning the content of the position can be directed to Elisa Arond, Fossil Fuels and Just Transitions Research Line Leader, SEI Latin America (elisa.arond@sei.org). Inquiries concerning the recruitment process can be directed to Juanita Gomez Gonzalez, Operations Manager (juanita.gomez@sei.org).
Please note that we only accept applications submitted online. No applications sent by email will be accepted.
About SEI
SEI is an independent, international research institute founded in 1989. Its mission is to support decision-making and induce change towards sustainable development around the world by providing integrative knowledge that bridges science and policy in the field of environment and development. SEI is ranked as one of the top environment policy think tank in the world in the Global Go To Think Tank Report 2020, compiled by the University of Pennsylvania’s Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program.
SEI has about 270 employees working at research centres in seven countries around the world. Our Headquarters are located in Stockholm, Sweden with other centres in Estonia (SEI Tallinn); the United Kingdom (SEI York and SEI Oxford); the United States (office in Boston, Seattle and Davis); Thailand (SEI Asia); and Kenya (SEI Africa).
Join SEI Latin America and be part of the continued development of our Institute’s presence in this dynamic region. Current staffing levels include 15 colleagues conducting policy research on water management, Agenda 2030 implementation, just transitions away from fossil fuel production and consumption, and the development of sustainable and equitable bioresource-based economic development efforts. We seek to continue building a team of talented and committed environmental and development professionals to generate further growth within and greater impact by our center.