UNPAID VOLUNTEER - Senior Research Officers (Sustainable Finance)

THIS IS AN UNPAID ROLE

The Blockchain Climate Institute (BCI) is an international volunteers-led think tank supporting and advocating the application of blockchain technology in the global fight against climate change.

BCI is currently looking for outstanding VOLUNTEERS to become Principal or Senior Officers in the Finance Research Division.

Our research on the “Real Estate” sector continues to grow after an amazing performance in 2021 as demonstrated by the shortlisting of our work among the best Sustainable FinTech solutions for the G20/BIS Tech Sprint (see press release https://www.bis.org/press/p210625.htm).

We are looking for Sustainable FinTech enthusiasts that aim to bring innovative solutions to address the huge challenges faced by Real Estate. Our focus on this specific economic sector comes from well-known facts:

• Carbon Emissions: Real estate accounts for more than 30% of emissions when considering embedded carbon.
• Economic Value: Real estate is a significant asset class (recall the 2008/9 financial crisis originated from USA subprime mortgages).
• Climate & Transition Risks: Buildings are particularly exposed to climate risks, both transition and physical.
• Sustainable Development Goals and General Impact: We all live and/or work in buildings, and these are not just linked to many SDGs (e.g. 7, 8, 9, 11, 13) but also to many other important economic sectors such as Energy and Transport (e.g. Electric Vehicles charging at home or at work).

The credentials of candidates should include:

• Working knowledge of major guidelines for financial institutions to assess climate risks and opportunities such as the TCFD Recommendations (Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures).
• Working knowledge of different aspects of finance, including important asset classes ( Fixed Income, Equities, Commodities, including Derivatives), types of stakeholders (Institutional Investors, Exchanges, Asset Managers, Regulators), Risks Assessment, New Regulations (e.g. Basel III/IV).
• Working knowledge of important Sustainable Finance standards. This includes financial products such as Fixed Income (ICMA Green Bonds Principles, ISO 14030), Equities (SASB, GRI), EU Taxonomy
• Working knowledge of Digital Data Technologies (e.g. Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, I4.0, Analytics, DLT) within the context of green and sustainable investments for social, environmental, and economic interests.
• Working knowledge or experience in innovative solutions to the Real Estate sector. (Green Finance Institute reports https://www.greenfinanceinstitute.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Finan...).

The responsibilities include:

To provide sustainable finance thought leadership, inputs, and or focus on project management for BCI’s projects focused on Sustainable Finance in Research Division I.

• To carry out primary and secondary research activities (including both quantitative and qualitative), analytical examination and to publish high-quality research papers in the growing field of sustainable finance;
• To generate opportunities for strategic partnerships for BCI; and
• To attend conferences and events to promote the BCI, communicate research findings, and engage with key stakeholders.

Requirements

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to develop effective working relationships, work flexibly across professional and operational boundaries, and communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders at all levels;
• Excellent English writing skills and Aptitude in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish (desirable);
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to balance competing demands under pressure;
• Strong presentation skills and ability to present ideas appropriately and persuasively.

General & Specialist Knowledge

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office; and
• Strong depth of knowledge on topics central to the BCI such as Sustainable Finance, climate change, climate finance, blockchain technology, and artificial intelligence preferred.

Education & Training

• A relevant degree or training in a relevant discipline, and
• Experience in producing research outputs and structured reports for different audiences.

Relevant Experience

• Proven ability in organization/business development (e.g. experience working in a target-driven role)
• Experience in building constructive relationships with stakeholders
• Experience in working independently and with teams to drive forward projects using own initiative
• Experience in designing, planning, and facilitating independent research and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Experience in digital technologies such as AI, and DLT.

We are recruiting for positions across all levels of experience.

Benefits

What difference will you make?

Climate change and sustainability are two hot topic groups that have been headlining media outlets, dominating conferences & events, and gaining increasing traction in research and pilot projects. BCI is here as an expert platform to help governments, inter-governmental and regional organizations as well as relevant corporates to negotiate the complex landscape of emerging technologies for environmental good. We cement our expertise by putting in the hard work in researching, identifying, and analyzing the applications of emerging technologies so that informed decisions can be made by the stakeholders in the climate change and action network.

One of the most important aspects of BCI’s mission is to support legislators and policymakers to create an enabling environment for the adoption of distributed ledger technologies. To that end, this opportunity will ensure BCI is financially sustainable before we make the developing-country communities sustainable.

What's in it for the volunteer?

• Your mind will be mentally stimulated, hence providing you with a sense of purpose;
• You will advance and boost your professional career by helping you to make professional connections and giving you real-world experience at the intersection between climate and emerging technologies; and
• Help you develop long-lasting professional relationships with others. People who come together to make the world a better place forge a close connection.

Selection Process

As a voluntary organization, we are pleased to open the door for candidates who may not have the prior experience they need to start, progress, or switch their careers. To recruit the most suitable, talented, or potential new members out of the volume of applications received, it is the BCI’s policy to also consider inexperienced candidates to fill our voluntary unpaid roles as long as they can demonstrate the skills required in the written assessment. In the selection process, most candidates will be invited to complete the following assessment.

Section A: Verbal and Numerical Reasoning (20 multiple-choice questions)

Section B: Situation Judgement Test (20 multiple-choice questions)

Section C: In-Tray Exercise (An open-ended assessment relevant to the duties of the role)

Candidates who pass all three sections will be invited to attend a phone screening, first interview, and final interview online.