Senior Research Officer (Multilateral Processes)

ODI; Greater London; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Remote work options

Relocation assistance

Cycle to Work

Pension scheme

Job summary

ODI Global in London, UK, is seeking a Senior Research Officer with experience in multilateral climate processes to deliver policy-relevant research across finance, gender, trade, adaptation and loss and damage.

You will develop and manage research projects, engage with donors and decision-makers, contribute to public affairs, and help raise funds while working with the Climate and Environment Group.

Qualifications

• A degree and post-graduate degree in relevant discipline.
• Active knowledge of climate-relevant multilateral forums and processes.
• Experience supporting climate deliberations in multilateral forums (G7, G20, UNFCCC, WTO, EU).
• Policy-oriented research on international climate cooperation with publications.
• Ability to produce research outputs quickly for different audiences.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews, data collection and data analysis for research projects.
• Support or lead research project activities including field work and interviews.
• Author or co-author research reports and policy briefs for donors.
• Travel overseas for research purposes as needed.
• Assist in fundraising expressions of interest and project proposals.
• Liaise with donors, manage budgets and consultants, and supervise staff.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical writing

Presentation skills

Multitasking

IT skills

Teamwork

International travel

Initiative

Education

Degree in relevant discipline

Post-graduate degree

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Senior Research Officer (Multilateral Processes)

Application Deadline: 18 November 2026

Department: Climate and Environment Group

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London, UK

Reporting To: (Principal/Senior) Research Fellow

Compensation: £39,220 - £49,820 / year

Description

Purpose of Job: ODI Global is internationally recognised for its innovative and policy-relevant work supporting climate action in multilateral arenas. We advise multiple countries in the climate negotiations on topics including finance, gender, trade, adaptation, and loss and damage. We have supported three successive G20 Presidencies on raising and steering finance for climate action. We work with like-minded countries in diverse forums, ranging from expert groups such as the Expert Review on Debt, Nature and Climate to sovereign coalitions such as the members of the Coalition for Climate Action in Conflict and Fragile Settings.

We are now recruiting a Senior Research Officer with experience in multilateral, climate-relevant processes to help deliver our broad portfolio of work in this space. The successful candidate will contribute to developing, fundraising for, conducting and managing policy relevant, high-quality and innovative research relating to sustainable finance. They will help produce policy advice and undertake public affairs programmes, engaging with decision-makers and disseminating results more widely.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research and analysis:

• Specific technical inputs to ongoing research projects such as literature reviews, data collection and data analysis;
• Supporting research project activities or leading parts of research projects including field work, conducting interviews, holding workshops, producing written outputs and preparing reports for donors, under the supervision of a Research Fellow.
• Authoring or co-authoring research reports, policy briefs and other documents for publication
• Undertake some travel overseas for research related purposes

Business development:

• Contribute to the development of expressions of interest and full project proposals;

Project Management: Under the overall direction of a Group Director or senior researcher:

• Liaising with and reporting to donors, managing budgets and consultants and the inputs of other project partners;
• Supervising interns and other short-term staff working within the team under the direction of a senior researcher.

Policy advice, public affairs and dissemination:

• Supporting the production of communications products from research findings;
• Organising and presenting key findings to key decision-makers and stakeholders, through events and meetings;
• Disseminating research results through ODI web pages, the media, conferences, etc;
• Liaison and networking with a wide range of agencies including attending meetings on behalf of Programme and providing short meeting summaries for distribution within the team and more widely

Collegiate life: Contribute to the Institute’s collegiate life through:

• ODI publications and journals;
• ODI activities as discussion groups, staff meetings, working groups, interviews, research away days; and
• Intellectual exchanges with colleagues.

Person Specification

Essential Knowledge and Qualifications

• A degree and post-graduate degree in relevant discipline (e.g. environmental economics, sustainable finance).
• Active knowledge of climate-relevant multilateral forums and processes.

Experience

• Experience supporting climate deliberations in a multilateral forum, such as the G7, G20, UNFCC, WTO or European Union.
• Some experience in policy-oriented research focused on international climate cooperation, demonstrated by publications and reports; and
• Experience in producing research outputs in a short period of time and for different audiences

Skills/Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with a wide range of people and cultural awareness
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, including the ability to work with quantitative and qualitative data
• Strong presentation and networking skills
• Ability to multitask and prioritise
• Excellent IT skills (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Ability to work in a team
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally on a frequent basis, which may include overnight and weekends on occasion.
• Ability to work on own initiative and under minimal supervision, to accept responsibility and to respond with confidence to complex and evolving problems

Desirable

• Fluency in a language other than English

Key Relationships and Contacts Internal

• Colleagues in the Climate and Environment Group
• Researchers working on geopolitics and multilateralism in other Groups
• The Public Affairs and Communications team
• The Project Management cadre

External relationships will depend on specialist area within sustainable finance, but may include:

• Negotiators in the UNFCCC
• Diplomats involved in the G7 and G20 meetings
• Civil servants in foreign affairs ministries and environment ministries
• Other research institutes/universities in the UK and internationally
• Environmental non-government organisations

All staff are expected to

• Positively support equality of opportunity both within ODI and externally
• Help maintain a safe working environment and take responsibility for own and colleagues’ Health and Safety
• Undertake such other duties within the scope of their post as may be asked by their manager

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. We offer sick pay, an Employee Assistance Program, and staff events and social activities to ensure your physical and mental health.

For those relocating to the UK, we provide relocation assistance to help you settle in. We also promote sustainable commuting with our Cycle to Work scheme and offer union membership to protect your rights and advocate for your interests.

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.