Research Manager

Freelancingforgood; United States; Remote; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Research Manager to enhance their research capacity in climate justice. This role involves managing strategic research projects, collaborating with diverse teams, and ensuring impactful analysis to challenge the fossil fuel industry. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in research, project management, and advocacy, with a strong commitment to social justice. Join a forward-thinking organization that values equity and inclusion while making a significant impact in the climate and energy sector.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in research and communication for advocacy in climate and energy.
• 3+ years in senior research roles with project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop research materials to support organizational goals.
• Coordinate with teams to align research priorities and share insights.

Skills

Research and Communication

Project Management

Data Analysis (Excel, Google Sheets)

Written Communication

Collaboration

Job description

Oil Change International is looking for a Research Manager to join their team.

Overview:

• Full-time position
• Language: English
• Location: Anywhere (Remote)
• Salary: $95,000 – $105,000 per year
• Applications closing: 11th May

Job Description

The Research Manager will help boost Oil Change International’s capacity to produce timely and impactful analysis in support of campaigns to challenge the fossil fuel industry and advance climate justice.

This position is responsible for working closely with the Research Co-Directors to manage the production of strategic and compelling research, in line with organisational, program and research team goals. The Research Manager will coordinate with campaigners and analysts across OCI’s seven program areas (Global Policy, Global Public Finance, Global Industry, North Sea, United States, Asia, and Africa) to respond to emerging research needs and requests, help produce new analysis and research products, and support staff in optimising their use of OCI’s research tools and databases.

The Research Manager will report to OCI’s Research Co-Director and be part of OCI’s core Research Team.

Responsibilities

Research Development

• Develop research materials that support the overall goals of the organisation outside of specific campaign work.
• Work with program teams to develop and/or conduct research that advances campaign priorities, including collecting and analysing data, researching and writing publications and presenting research findings to various audiences.
• Identify emerging research issues and needs for further organisational learning to inform organisational positions and ensure OCI stays on the cutting edge of oil and gas industry research.
• Attend coalition meetings where appropriate.
• Work with Research Co-Directors to determine when and how to respond to “emergency” research needs arising from program teams, organisational leadership or coalition partners.

Project Management, Coordination & Quality Control

• Coordinate with project teams and individual staff members conducting research to align research priorities, identify needs for support and skills development, address capacity gaps, and share research methods, insights, and best practices.
• Oversee and manage research conducted by program team members and consultants at a hands-on level, to ensure all research aligns with the organisation’s strategic objectives.
• Work with Research Co-Directors to oversee cross-team projects.
• Help fill capacity and knowledge gaps where program teams are developing new research projects.
• Support Research Co-Directors in providing overall quality control and content editing for OCI research products and publications, developing and overseeing processes for project development and peer review, and developing systems to ensure that all staff engaged in research efforts consistently follow research procedures, guides, processes.

Research Program Management

• Assist Research Co-Directors in managing research tools and databases and train other staff to utilize them as appropriate, as needed.
• Help monitor the overall impact of OCI’s research work and make recommendations for ways to improve.
• Assist Research Co-Directors in tracking research budget expenses and participate as needed in the annual organisational planning and budgeting process.

Research Communications

• Partner with Communications Team to create visually engaging graphics and visuals for use in various communication materials, including social media posts, reports, and presentations, to enhance the organisation’s online presence and storytelling.
• Work closely with Communications Team to develop toolkits for partners to effectively utilise and communicate research findings and recommendations, providing them with the resources and guidance needed to develop key messages curated to particular targets and audiences.
• Work with Communications Team to develop core talking points for overall organisational priorities as well as team specific campaigns as needed.
• Respond to media enquiries as needed and cultivate relationships with media personnel where appropriate.

Organisational Values and Culture, Equity & Inclusion

• Demonstrate collegiality, good judgement, decision making, and problem solving
• Skills; proactively working to resolve conflicts and issues as they arise.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal communication skills, and foster collaboration, inclusion, and equity as part of your work.
• Incorporate an inclusion and equity lens internally in the organisation and externally in the work.
• Contribute to a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

Administrative

• Update and maintain quarterly and annual workplan for self and consultants.
• Consistently work established hours.
• Respond to Slack and email communication daily during work hours.
• Participate in organisational coordination meetings.
• Submit expense reports by established deadlines.
• Participate in annual reviews adjusting behaviour as needed based on feedback.
• Help fill gaps when research staff are on leave, including taking on additional leadership responsibilities when either Research Co-Director is absent.

Role Requirements

We are looking for someone who has:

• 8 or more years of experience in research and communication pertaining to advocacy efforts addressing social justice, progressive causes, preferably in the climate and energy space.
• 3 or more years of experience in a senior research role involving strategy development, project management and facilitating small teams towards a common goal; with experience successfully executing complex projects or campaign efforts.
• Proven track record of successful collaboration with a variety of campaign, project or advocacy teams; balancing multiple concurrent demands, potentially from both internal colleagues and external partners.
• Sensitivity to issues of privilege, class, and race, and dedication to incorporating principles of justice into organisational and campaign work.
• Strong quantitative data analysis skills, including proficiency in using basic software tools to analyse data (Excel, Google Sheets etc.) and experience applying them to advocacy and campaign contexts (e.g., ability to develop and shape analysis in a way that serves campaign goals and target audiences).
• Familiarity with climate and energy policy, specifically supply-side fossil fuel policy.
• Excellent written communication in English (strong communication skills in Spanish and/or French is a plus); experience writing and producing reports.
• Strong attention to detail with a willingness to get creative.
• Demonstrated commitment to social and environmental justice, a passion for advocacy and campaigning, and a collaborative, team-oriented work style.
• Existing relationships in the climate justice, environmental justice and/or general progressive movement spaces preferred.

How to apply?

To apply for this role, please fill in the application form.

You will need tosubmit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement by clicking on the link above.