The Bretton Woods Project is looking for a motivated individual to join its dynamic team. The Project focuses on the World Bank and the IMF to challenge their power, open policy space, and promote alternative approaches. We serve as an information provider, watchdog, networker and advocate.

In this role you will use your policy research skills and knowledge of international development and/or environmental issues to support our research and monitoring work on the World Bank and IMF. You will also support our network and advocacy.

Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject you will have experience of policy, advocacy or campaigning, and have knowledge of policy issues related to international financial institutions, private sector development or related topics such as climate finance, infrastructure finance, international development.

You will use your proven research skills, analytical ability, computer literacy, and writing skills to work productively and cooperatively in a small, highly motivated team that shares your strong commitment to social justice, human rights and environmental sustainability.

• Location: London, UK
• Pay: £22,209 per annum + contributory pension (10% of salary)
• 9-month, fixed-term contract
• Application deadline: 9 am London time, Monday 15 July 2013
• We are aiming to have first round interviews on 24 July 2013; with second round interviews, if needed, likely on 29 July 2013
• Candidates without the right to work in the UK will not be considered

Bretton Woods Project job profile: Research Assistant

A. Role Purpose

The Bretton Woods Project seeks to challenge the power of the World Bank and the IMF, open policy space and promote alternative approaches. It is a small organisation established in 1995 by a network of UK development and environment non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The Project acts as an information provider, watchdog, networker and advocate.

The Bretton Woods Project is an ActionAid-hosted project. ActionAid is a UK registered charity no: 274467. ActionAid is an equal opportunities employer. We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community and aim to promote diversity.

The purpose of this role will be: to provide research and administrative support to the Project

B. Key accountabilities

1) Research on private sector development (40% of time)

• Research policy issues related to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), development finance institutions (DFIs), and World Bank-backed public-private partnerships
• Write articles, briefings and background notes including for publication, website or other purposes

2) Research on social and environmental issues (30% of time)

• Research policy issues related to World Bank climate and infrastructure finance
• Write articles, briefings and background notes, including for publication, website or other purposes

3) Supporting information-sharing, networking and advocacy (20% of time)

• Help produce and edit our flagship publication, the Bretton Woods Update, which goes out to over 10,000 officials, NGOs and academics
• Help organise advocacy meetings, strategy and networking meetings, and other events
• Keep UK, European and international network members informed of events, intelligence, meetings, and other information related to IFIs and international finance, including through maintenance of web sites

4) Supporting the efficient functioning of Bretton Woods Project (10% of time)

• Provide support to colleagues within the team
• Assist with office administration
• Attend relevant seminars, conferences and meetings, and report back afterwards
• Participate in strategic planning
• Support the recruitment and management of volunteers

C. Role related knowledge, experience and skills

1) Knowledge and experience

Essential

• University degree (or equivalent experience) with a focus on international development, international political economy or related subject
• Some experience of policy, advocacy or campaigning, either paid or voluntary
• Knowledge of policy issues related to international financial institutions, private sector development or related topics, such as climate finance, infrastructure finance, international development

Desirable

• Advanced degree (or equivalent experience)
• Experience of NGO culture and working practice
• Work/voluntary experience related to development finance, international finance, or climate finance
• Work/voluntary experience in a developing, emerging or transition country
• Experience of dealing with external stakeholders/audiences

2) Skills and abilities

Essential

• Excellent information technology skills
• Proven research skills and ability to work with spread sheets and conduct data analysis
• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills
• Flexibility and willingness to take on a wide variety of tasks
• Commitment to social justice, human rights and environmental sustainability

Desirable

• Website maintenance skills
• Working ability in other languages (esp Spanish, French)

Application instructions

The deadline for applications is 9 am London time (0800 GMT), Monday 15 July 2013. Please read our application instructions very carefully. Regretfully we are a small organisation and cannot deal with individual requests. All the information you need is here and on our website.

After you have submitted your application we ask that you follow this link to fill in our equal opportunities monitoring form.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard back from us by 22 July 2013, then you have not been shortlisted. We are aiming to have first round interviews on 24 July 2013, with second round interviews, if needed, likely on 29 July 2013