UNPAID VOLUNTEER - Director of Legal Research

THIS IS AN UNPAID ROLE

Role Title: Director of Legal Research

Role Nature: Volunteer

Location: Home-based

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.

We are looking for a passionate academic legal researcher VOLUNTEER who takes a methodological approach to their work and plays a leading role in conducting independent research and analysis, engaging with key stakeholders, and establishing strategic partnerships to progress the BCI’s core mission. Driving the end-to-end research process, conducting both independent legal research and support to members of fellowship councils, publishing research, producing briefing material for speeches and presentations for clients and external conferences; and turning actions into impacts to shape climate policy on a global platform. Building on the success of the Legal Research Division in publishing the world’s first book on distributed ledger technology and carbon market governance as well as organizing Technology Information Session for Climate Negotiators prior to UNFCCC COPs, the Director of Legal Research (DRS3) will play a key role in BCI’s further engagement activities with government ministers, legislators and the leadership of United Nations agencies. For this role, academic legal research experience with a track record of research publications is a MUST. Candidates who are practising lawyers with no prior legal research experience in digital technology or climate law research need not apply and should consider applying for our Legal Advisor or Legal Assistant role instead.

Responsibilities:

• To supervise Legal Research Officers in the provision of research support in the intersection of internet/DLT law and renewable energy, carbon trading, forest monitoring, natural resource management, etc.
• To provide technical and strategic leadership for analytical research, and set the agenda for research across the organization;
• To generate opportunities for strategic research or knowledge partnerships;
• To contribute across the organization as a member of the Executive Committee;
• To anticipate and respond to the organization’s tactical and strategic business support needs;
• To manage Research Division’s time budget in an effective way to deliver organizational objectives; and
• To attend conferences and events to promote the BCI, communicate research findings and insights via PowerPoint decks, and engage with key stakeholders.

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 detail-orientated;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to balance competing demands under pressure;
• Well-developed understanding of the priorities, operation, and strategy of relevant funding bodies as evidenced by a track record of funded research;
• Strong presentation skills and ability to present ideas appropriately and persuasively;
• Ability to deliver successful outcomes from large-scale, long-term thematic research;
• Ability to combine and integrate the skills and expertise of highly motivated staff into multi-disciplinary teams, developing and building upon existing collaborations as well as creating/facilitating new opportunities;
• Ability to engage a range of internal and external stakeholders to collaborate in identifying problems and appropriate solutions, within agreed timetables and budgets;
• Effective monitoring and decision-making skills to implement corrective action if a research activity is difficult;
• Strong personal values for committed and collaborative leadership;
• High levels of professional judgment in choosing analysis pathways that give rapid, high-quality, actionable results;
• Influential and credible. Fluent and engaging in conveying the value of research findings and programs; and
• Aptitude in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish (desirable).

Relevant Experience

• Strong experience in developing and managing academic legal research projects
• 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;
• Successful and sustained leadership that is evidenced internationally;
• Experienced in cross-disciplinary research initiatives and collaboration;
• Proven experience in managing staff and their performance;
• Demonstrable track record in strategic and operational management and planning;
• Experience in financial planning and resource allocation; and
• Experience in leading and successfully initiating and implementing change;
• Leadership and management capability to achieve section outcomes. Evidenced ability to build strategic capacity in teams.

Education & Training

• A relevant Ph.D. degree or training in academic research skills is preferred; and
• Experience in producing research outputs and structured reports for different audiences.

General & Specialist Knowledge

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office; and
• Strong depth of knowledge on topics central to the BCI such as climate change, climate finance, blockchain technology, and/or artificial intelligence preferred. Candidates are not expected to be proficient in both climate change law and technology law.

Blockchain and other emerging technologies; as well as 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?

• You will hone or learn new skills including research, presentation, writing, and professional etiquette;
• 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 close connections.

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.