Research Fellow in Sustainable Finance

We are recruiting four research candidates to work with sustainability and trade, sustainable finance, and industry and energy transitions.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden (remote work from another country is not possible)
As the climate transition is now accelerating, it is clear that it will transform our economies. Climate policy is affecting finance, trade policy and industrial policy at their core. Similarly, these sectors and policy areas will set the conditions for the ambition and effectiveness of climate change mitigation and adaptation. SEI has built up more research and preparedness in these sectors and will continue to help change agendas, improve decisions and build capacity. We are now strengthening our team to respond to new demands and opportunities.
In particular, we are now recruiting four candidates; ranging from the thematic of sustainability and trade, and sustainable finance on the one hand, while also specifically looking for expertise in industry and energy transitions at both a research fellow and associate level.
We wish to attract leading experts and entrepreneurs in the fields of finance and trade, with a specific focus on industry, green manufacturing and sustainability transitions. It is our clear desire to invest and grow within this research domain, thereby deepening SEI’s impacts in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Research Fellow in Sustainable Finance
SEI is seeking to make a strategic recruitment in the area of sustainable finance. SEI has a track-record of working with international climate and development finance and hosts the Stockholm Sustainable Finance Centre (SSFC) in partnership with the Stockholm School of Economics. The mandate of the SSFC is to support the shift in capital away from unstainable economic activity and the scaling of investment into sustainable economic activity needed to achieve the Paris climate targets and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Our sustainable finance portfolio of projects focus on mapping of development finance flows, policy support for international climate finance institutions, research on private sector sustainable finance instruments and practices (e.g. labelled bonds), and supporting training for developing and emerging market banks on sustainable finance practices. In developing country contexts our recent work has focused on the emergence of sustainable finance instruments in Africa, the alignment of development finance institution investments and national SDG priorities, and the role of private insurance for local climate resilience. SEI has a long track record of developing tools to support actors in their sustainable development objectives. Among these are the Trase Finance platform that tracks financing related to deforestation risks and AidAtlas that visualises development aid flows and their uses.
The role
The Research Fellow will take a leadership role in SEI’s work in sustainable finance, which is expected to continue to expand and develop. As part of this work, the Research Fellow will have opportunities to engage with projects across SEI’s portfolio of research with SEI centres around the world. A key focus of this role is further developing the SSFC’s programme of research, with a particular focus on developing and emerging markets. The RF will also take a leadership role in SSFC’s engagement with relevant financial actors, decision makers and sustainable development institutions. Topic areas relevant for this role include climate and development finance, the greening of financial systems, scaling sustainable finance flows in developing regions, and investment for driving sustainability transitions.
Key duties and responsibilities
Help to develop an impactful research agenda on sustainable finance in developing and emerging markets
Run research projects with colleagues at SEI and other partner organizations
Contribute to the administration of the Stockholm Sustainable Finance Centre
Develop collaborations with other research centres, institutions and financial actors
Engage in relevant sustainable finance networks internationally and within Sweden, including with both private and public actors
Support stakeholders in both public and private settings with expertise on sustainable finance
Contribute to the SSFC’s communications and outreach work
Contribute to fundraising to expand SEI’s and the SSFC’s portfolio of sustainable finance projects

Who you are
We are looking for a skilled researcher/analyst with experience working on finance in relation to sustainable development. You have extensive relevant experience in the finance industry or a research organization, or both. You have sound knowledge, interest and experience working on sustainability issues such as climate change and human development. The right candidate has an interest in taking on a leadership role in both developing a programme of research and in engaging with stakeholders in the financial sector and public institutions. If you have clear ideas on new impactful research and analysis that can push the sustainable finance agenda in developing countries forward this may be the position for you!
Formal qualifications
A Master’s degree in Finance or Economics or a related field and have developed a deep interest in sustainable finance. A PhD is desirable but not required in place of experience
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute research projects, or a clear research agenda in sustainable finance
Proven knowledge of relevant research skills and methods (qualitative and quantitative)
Excellent organizational and managerial skills
Proficiency in English is required. Good knowledge of Swedish is desirable.

Desirable qualifications
Experience working in international organizations, INGOs or international working environments with multidiscipline teams
Experience working in low-income or emerging markets
Experience with fund-raising within a research organization
Demonstrated experience engaging with private and public actors on issues of finance and sustainable development

How to apply
We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis so please submit your application as soon as possible, however no later than 2 May 2021 23:59 Stockholm local time. Applications should be written in English and consist of a short CV and cover letter (maximum 1 page).