Job Description

Global Canopy is seeking a motivated and adaptable Research Associate to join our growing NRF team. This role is ideal for someone with a strong research foundation in nature-related finance who is looking to build experience across a range of areas including technical analysis, engagement, and capacity-building.


As a Research Associate, you will work across multiple projects aimed at helping shift global financial flows away from nature-negative outcomes toward nature-positive ones. In this role you will:

contribute to capacity-building initiatives that help financial institutions apply tools like ENCORE in real-world settings support the design and delivery of research that underpins practical tools and insights that incentivise market participants to account for nature-related risks (for example, integrating nature into financial products and services, designing transition pathways, improving the understanding and pricing of nature-related risks.) translate complex, technical content on nature-related finance into formats that are clear and actionable for non-specialist audiences
An initial core responsibility in this role is to support the delivery of capacity-building activities on the ENCORE tool in Colombia, Indonesia, South Africa, and Peru. This includes working closely with in-country consultants to provide technical and operational support, adapt materials to local contexts, and ensure effective implementation on the ground.


This role will report into the NRF deputy director, and will also involve supporting the NRF deputy director in her role within the ENCORE partnership and associated fundraising activities.


We are looking for someone who is comfortable working across different types of tasks and teams and who enjoys contributing to both technical work and practical engagement.


Furthermore, you will contribute to a culture of kindness, collaboration, rigour and accountability in equal measure. You will come to work with a sense of urgent mission, but one balanced by emotional intelligence. You will share our conviction that it is not just what we do that matters in our working life, but how we do it too.

Responsibilities

This role will report into and support the NRF deputy-director and work across a range of NRF projects, including the ENCORE tool.

Responsibility for the delivery of the capacity-building components in the SECO-funded ENCORE project Supervise consultants/suppliers and/or manage relationships with partners who are collaborating on engagement and capacity building activities that help mainstream the use of nature-related financial tools and frameworks Develop and curate training materials for example to assist financial institutions in applying ENCORE Work closely with the Education and Learning Team in GC to translate technical content into learning offerings Explore and develop engagement partnerships on with various stakeholders such as scientific institutions, other IGOs and NGOs. Manage and contribute to governance of these partnerships Work with Global Canopy Communications team to ensure that materials for Global Canopy are aligned with organisational approaches to messaging and tone of voice Work with Global Canopy Senior Designer to ensure that visual assets and all materials for Global Canopy align with the organisation's brand identity as needed Responsible for designing, leading and preparation of research focusing on key nature-related finance issues Ensure highest quality of research outputs and be part of the research teams Lead research partnerships on nature-related financial risks with leading scientific institutions. This will include designing governance structures of the research to include market participants as a tester community, advisory committee, or other most appropriate ways to crowd-in practice and test outputs Actively contribute to identification of funding opportunities and models (grants, corporate sponsorships etc.) to finance future research work Input into development of Global Canopy's overall strategy and the NRF specific strategy based on area of research Support the NRF deputy director in her role within the ENCORE partnership by coordinating partner engagement across key areas. This will include preparation of materials prior to meetings with partners - for example, preparing materials for the ENCORE governance committee or supporting inputs into the ENCORE operational committee

Requirements

To be successful in this role, these are the things that will matter the most:

Strong interest in making technical information clear, accessible, and actionable for non-specialist audiences Experience conducting applied research and producing outputs for decision-making Solid understanding of nature-related finance concepts (nature positive, transition planning, and nature-related disclosures) A flexible mindset and the ability to adapt to change and adjust strategies and tasks accordingly An ability to navigate multi-stakeholder projects with emotional intelligence

Essential behavioural competencies:

Highly collaborative, organised, and proactive in managing work across multiple projects and partnerships Confident engaging with key audiences, including financial institutions, companies, and other market actors, to understand their needs and communicate insights effectively Ability to give and receive feedback, with a willingness to reflect and integrate feedback Ability to identify opportunities to connect their work with initiatives across the wider organization Capacity to learn and upskill independently and integrate new knowledge and skills into day to day work

Skills and experience:

University degree in finance and/or natural sciences A self-starter with an ability to design, manage and conduct complex research projects Experience conducting applied research with outputs designed to support real-world decision-making or research that produced analysis used outside a purely academic setting Demonstrated ability to translate complex topics into engaging content and practical tools Experience developing knowledge products and/or learning materials for non-specialist audiences Adept at ensuring the reliability of content through thorough fact-checking, a focus on accuracy, and consistent application of referencing to ensure integrity and credibility of all content Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Desirable:

Research experience in risk quantification is an advantage Familiarity with the nexus between human rights and nature-related issues Experience from consulting or from a sustainability department in a company or as an ESG analyst in a financial institution Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese or French

Benefits

Salary

29,000-35,000 full-time equivalent


This role sits within Band E on Global Canopy's remuneration framework.

Nature of contract

Part-time (0.8 FTE), fixed-term (18 months). We are a flexible employer and welcome candidates wishing to work flexibly.

Base

Our office is in Oxford, with flexible home-working arrangements in place.

Holidays

36 days (including bank/public holidays) for discretionary use across the annual leave year. Option to purchase up to an additional 5 days or equivalent of one week's leave.

Pension

Employer pension contribution of 8%.

Healthcare cashback plan

Covering dental fees, eye-care, wellbeing, physiotherapy, chiropody and much more - for you and any children.

Group Life Assurance

Paying a lump sum of 3 times annual salary

Group Income Protection

Paying 75% of annual salary for up to 2 years (for long term sickness).

Employee Assistance Programme

Which provides free, confidential advice on personal and legal matters.

Other

Huge range of discounts and cashback deals at gyms, restaurants, holidays, and much more.

How to Apply

To apply for the position, please follow the instructions and submit an up-to date CV and covering letter.


The covering letter should explain your motivation for the role and how your skills and experience fit the person specification. Please no more than 2 pages.


All candidates are asked to complete an anonymous diversity monitoring form when they apply.


The closing date for applications is 23 July 2025 at 09:00 UK time. Early application encouraged. We may close applications early if suitable candidates are identified.


Screening calls are provisionally planned for w/c 28th July, and will be conducted remotely via a video call.


We are looking for the successful candidate to start in late August or September.