Fully Remote Role at Institute for Human Rights and Business| Decarbonisation Lead & Narrative Writer for People-Centred Climate Transitions @Institute for Human Rights and Business| Decarbonisation Lead & Narrative Writer for People-Centred Climate Transitions

Institute for Human Rights and Business Job Summary

Decarbonisation Lead & Writer – JUST Stories
Location: Fully Remote (Global applicants, with working hours aligned to CET or west of CET)
Closing Date: Sunday, 5 July 2026 (11pm UK time)
Contract: Consultancy contract until 29 June 2028, GBP£4,250/month

About IHRB’s Work on Climate

The Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB’s ) Just Transitions Programme addresses the misalignment in current climate action models, emphasizing governance as a social process that embeds rights and agency of workers, communities, and stakeholders.

Their approach aims to make risk visible, tangible, and change actionable through cross-sector dialogue, real-world models, and participation.

About JUST Stories

Launched in 2024, JUST Stories documents people-centered decarbonisation in practice, focusing on real-time transition processes across sectors like energy, industry, agriculture, and land use.

The initiative produces evidence-based narratives that showcase governance choices, trade-offs, and enabling conditions, serving as practical insights for practitioners to shape durable, inclusive transitions.

Role Overview

Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB ) seeks an experienced researcher and narrative writer specializing in decarbonisation, with skills in energy, industrial transition, land use, and emissions reduction.

The role involves leading research, developing immersive stories, and producing evidence-based outputs to influence business, policy, and civil society.

The successful candidate will balance ground-level realities with system-level decision-making, engaging with diverse actors from workers to investors.

Role Objectives

• Identify and research real-time examples of people-centered decarbonisation
• Produce 2-3 in-depth, field-based stories with multi-format outputs
• Contribute to a coherent body of evidence to promote stakeholder-led transition governance
• Support synthesis and learning products, including lessons and masterclasses

Key Responsibilities

Research & Framing

• Conduct literature and landscape reviews across sectors
• Identify high-potential case studies through networks and outreach
• Develop analytical frameworks for just and effective decarbonisation

Fieldwork & Primary Research

• Design and implement ethical interviews and engagement processes
• Undertake site visits to gather primary data
• Surface governance decisions, trade-offs, and contextual factors

Narrative Development

• Produce high-quality, compelling stories integrating human narratives and insights
• Translate findings into practical, systemic lessons
• Ensure validation, fact-checking, and cultural sensitivity

Business Lesson Distillation

• Develop structured lessons highlighting governance, decision points, and enabling conditions
• Support practitioner briefs and sector-specific materials
• Contribute to annual dilemma forums

Masterclasses

• Identify and cultivate relationships with transition leaders
• Support framing and structuring of masterclass content
• Collaborate with Business Engagement Lead on contributor engagement

Strategic Integration

• Ensure stories contribute to the broader evidence base
• Support cross-story synthesis and thematic learning
• Contribute insights for organizational learning

About You

Core Experience & Knowledge

• 7+ years’ experience in journalism, narrative writing, or research with a focus on decarbonisation and just transitions
• Expertise in energy, industry, land use, and emissions reduction sectors
• Understanding of corporate governance, investment, human rights, and stakeholder participation frameworks
• Experience working in sensitive political/social contexts

Core Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional storytelling and analytical writing skills
• Strong qualitative research and interview design skills
• Ability to translate localized insights into systemic relevance

• High emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity
• Organizational and remote teamwork skills
• Building trust-based relationships with diverse actors

Nice to Have

• Experience with worker organizations, unions, or community groups
• Engagement with ESG, sustainability, or transition planning practitioners
• Additional language skills relevant to project geographies

Attitude

• Proactive, self-motivated, and entrepreneurial
• Flexible, adaptable, and collaborative
• Diplomatic, tactful, and respectful across power dynamics

Timeframe & Contracting

• Application deadline: 5 July 2026
• Interviews: w/c 27 July 2026, with a second round the following week
• Start date: As soon as possible
• Contract duration: Until 29 June 2028, with one-month notice

• Location: Home-based, global applicants, with working hours aligned to CET or west of CET
• Travel: Up to three times yearly to remote locations
• Full-time: 5 days/week
• Compensation: GBP£4,250/month

How to Apply

Click the Apply Now button to answer application questions.

The role is open to candidates who meet the criteria and have the legal right to work in their country of residence.

About IHRB

The Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) promotes a just, sustainable economy respecting human rights and planetary health through research, convening, and collaborative action with businesses, governments, and civil society.