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.