Research Fellow - Climate Lobbying

ICCR is seeking college/university undergraduate and graduate/law students with a passion for climate solutions and sustainability. The Research Fellow will assist the Associate Program Director, Climate & Environmental Justice Program, with company-level research and analysis of corporate lobbying positions, including indirect advocacy such as trade association membership and think tank contributions, with an eye to supporting investor engagements. Investors are engaging both leaders and laggards on climate lobbying alignment and disclosure.

Additional assignments will include program-related support for the ICCR Climate and Environmental Justice team. The Research Fellowship period is scheduled to run for twelve weeks from late September through late-December 2021 (excluding the week of Thanksgiving). The fellowship includes a stipend of $2,000 for the twelve weeks. Applicants for the fellowship should be able to commit to 10-15 hours per week on average, with flexibility (some overlapping East Coast business hours preferred). The Research Fellow would need their own computer, and weekly check-ins with the Associate Program Director would be required. This position will be remote.

The Research Fellow will make a tremendous contribution to the important work of an organization that helped to found and continues to shape the corporate social responsibility movement. The Research Fellow will learn from seasoned practitioners about the importance of shareholder activism and documenting company progress, as well as the regulatory environment and its impact on sustainability issues. Where possible, the Research Fellow will be given the opportunity to engage with ICCR program staff (such as attending program/staff meetings and conference calls with ICCR members as needed) to gain a better understanding of the issues and the field of corporate social responsibility and sustainable investment.

•      Students are welcome from a wide range of academic programs and geographies. Applicants must be an undergraduate Junior or Senior, or enrolled in a graduate or JD degree program.

•      Experience with, knowledge of, and/or passion for corporate social responsibility, climate solutions, and sustainability is a plus.

•      Must be self-motivated, and able to work independently.

•      Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

•      Research Fellows should be organized, methodical, and possess strong time management skills.

•      Basic computer and software knowledge is a must– applicants should be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel and Internet-based research. Google Workspace is a plus.

•               A cover letter identifying your qualifications, interests and strengths, as well as your available start date.

•               A resume.

•               At least 2 professional references.

•               Any relevant writing, communications, or research samples applicable to the job’s core focus.

 

All documents should be sent together in one PDF document to: Esaba Hoque, Program Associate, ehoque@iccr.org

Founded 50 years ago, the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) is a pioneer coalition of over 300 socially responsible investors including faith-based communities, labor unions, and others who leverage their investments to hold corporations accountable for the social and environmental impacts of their operations. Our membership collectively represents over

$4 trillion in invested capital.

ICCR members and staff engage hundreds of multinational corporations annually to promote more sustainable and just practices because we believe in doing so, companies will secure a better future for their employees, their customers, and their shareholders. We do this through on- going engagement and dialogue with corporate management on a range of social and environmental issues that impact communities in the U.S. and globally, as well as by filing shareholder proposals, which are publicly presented at companies’ shareholder meetings.

In the Fall of 2020, ICCR launched an initiative focused on Climate Lobbying, to encourage public companies to align their corporate lobbying and their trade association memberships with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Investors concerned about the possibility of disastrous planetary warming are pressing companies to act quickly to adopt decarbonization commitments and climate policy positions that will foster climate stabilization and a just transition. ICCR’s initiative is designed to support shareholders in this work.