Research and Projects Assistant @Unknown

The Research and Projects Assistant will help to deliver projects and research that aim to improve how environmental funding is coordinated and distributed.

Location: Working from home (in the UK) with occasional travel to London and other parts of the UK for team days and events.

Salary: £30,000 pro rata

Contract: Fixed Term Contract for one year, subject to a six-month probationary period.

Hours: 0.5 FTE/2.5 days a week (17.5 hours) to include Tuesday and ideally the remaining hours to be across Monday-Thursday. For any extended hours worked through event or travel time, time off in lieu (TOIL) will be provided.

Closing date: Tuesday 2 June, 23:59

Provisional interview dates: W/C Monday 22 June

Further details: Job specification

Please note: By the start of any employment with EFN, you must have the right to work in the UK and documentary evidence to support this. EFN is unable to sponsor work visas.

About the role

The Research and Projects Assistant is a new role supporting EFN’s strategic projects and research, and would suit someone looking to build their experience in these areas. The post-holder will play a key role in helping to deliver projects and research that aim to improve how environmental funding is coordinated and distributed.

The role will involve supporting a range of projects across research, grantmaking practices, and digital tools/platforms. The exact mix of work will evolve over time, but is likely to include contributing to major research outputs (including EFN’sWhere the Green Grants Went series), supporting the development of sector tools, and assisting with collaborative funding initiatives

About you

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys working with data and information, thinking creatively, and ensuring that projects are delivered effectively and on time. We’re looking for individuals who are highly organised, detail-oriented and proactive with experience in research and a strong interest in environmental issues and/or philanthropy. This role involves supporting a range of projects, so being able to keep track of tasks and information will be important.

We recognise that candidates may not meet every requirement listed, and we welcome transferable skills and varied career paths.

Essential:

• Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to work with large datasets.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and follow through on tasks.
• Clear and concise written communication skills.
• Advanced IT skills, including online meeting platforms.
• Familiarity with environmental issues and the non-profit sector.
• A self-starter who is comfortable working remotely and managing their own workload within a small, part-time team.
• A commitment to EFN’s mission and JEDI commitments.

Desirable 

• Experience of writing reports for diverse audiences.
• Experience of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) processes.
• Experience with AI, coding (e.g. Python), and building or testing digital platforms.
• Familiarity with philanthropy and grant-making processes.

How to apply

View the job description in full.

To apply, we’d like to answer three questions about you, your experience and how you’d think about, and/or tackle tasks and scenarios that this role may face. You should aim to write no more than around 2 paragraphs (approx. 250 words) for each question. Fill in the form and answer the questions here. 

We also ask if you can fill in our equal opportunities monitoring form, but this is optional.

Please then email your CV to us. (Please note: you do not need to send over a covering letter).