Researcher / Campaigner: Timber, Sanctions and - London, United Kingdom - Earthsight

Earthsight

Verified Company

London, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Full-time, with flexible hours and some homeworking considered

Earthsight is looking for a researcher/campaigner to work alongside our Boreal 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
wide-ranging Western sanctions against them.

You will play a crucial role in the Boreal Forests / Timber Team by helping drive forward
Earthsight's efforts to clean up global wood product 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 Belorussia's timber sectors, including
through supply chains that are in breach of EU/US timber regulations or sanctions.

preferably be based in the UK and able to come into our office in London regularly. Flexible
working will be considered, as will some level of homeworking. 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

Main tasks and responsibilities

Monitor relevant media, NGO, think-tank, government and academic reports on EU and US wood
supply chains linked to boreal forests, especially in Russia and Belarus

Monitor developments with the timber industry and its lobbying efforts - particularly in
relation to certification and traceability systems and technologies for timber and wood
products

Provide regular summaries from this monitoring to the Boreal Forests Team Lead

Build and maintain a strong understanding of relevant trade links for timber and wood products
from boreal forests to consumer countries/regions of particular interest (e.g. EU, UK, US),
through analysis of third-party reports and raw trade data and shipment records

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 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 Boreal Forests Team Lead in implementing advocacy activities based on research findings
and the organisation's overall strategic goals

Help build and maintain relevant contacts, including with NGOs, journalists and researchers in
key countries

Support research into tropical timber supply chains carried out by other teams when requested
by Boreal Forests Team Lead

Other suitable tasks as required by the Boreal Forests Team Lead

Person specification

Essential

At least two years' experience working as a researcher, campaigner or journalist on
environmental, forests, climate change, human rights or a related field

Ability to establish and maintain effective contacts and relationships

Excellent research and/or campaigning skills with proven ability to analyse and use information
from a variety of sources to produce meaningful content or influence a desired campaign outcome

Strong attention to detail and factual accuracy

Excellent written English skills with ability to produce clear and concise research summaries
and findings

Good knowledge