Research Assistant – Penang, Malaysia

Role:External Consultant
Function:Research Assistant
Start Date:15 March 2022
Duration:12 months
Compensation/Benefits:US dollars (USD) to be determined per month
Occupation Rate:N/A – output based
Supervisor:Founder
Contract Type:External Consultancy
Working Location:Penang, Malaysia

Organizational Context

The Financial Futures Center, which is hosted in Aroha, aims to support developing country governments, civil society/development partners, and the investment community with different types of economic and financial climate risk-based analysis and data to support informed decision-making on investment and technological pathways to achieve maximal resilience and high shares of renewable energy.

Position Purpose and Responsibilities

The purpose of the consultancy is to assist the Financial Futures Center in support of climate vulnerable communities and local and national governments with high quality economic research and analysis towards driving investment and prosperity outcomes.

Climate Prosperity Plans are conceived as a strategic investment agenda to boost planetary prosperity and tackle frontline climate threats. A national CPP outlines an investment pathway for socio-economic development through economic programs and infrastructure projects while accelerating low-carbon growth and building greater climate resilience.

The Research Assistant will need to conduct research and produce economic analysis in various sectors such as: infrastructure and adaptation planning, resilience, tourism, labor markets and just transition, MSME, food and agriculture, and transportation. They will participate in writing of the Penang Climate Prosperity Program (PCPP) and will liaise with state and country-specific partners to incorporate their feedback into the plans. They will notably work closely with the Penang Green Council and other relevant agencies to ensure that the PCPP builds on the existing Penang Green Agenda 2030 and is fully integrated into future policies. They will also be tasked to formulate concrete recommendations and suggested paths of action, notably investment pathways, based on the data collected and the projections produced. They will participate in the drafting, revising and editing of PCPP, as well as support in-country partners with the implementation of PCPP.

Background

The Research Assistant will coordinate and work closely with the Penang Green Council, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) and other relevant stakeholders in the delivery of the Penang Climate Prosperity Program (PCPP).

Reporting Relationships

The Research Assistant reports to the Founder of the Financial Futures Center.

Profile

Background in economics or policy research preferred.

Competencies, Skills & Languages

  • Experience in research and writing;
  • Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, as well as individually;
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
  • Fluent proficiency in English and working knowledge of Malay.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

Application

Interested applicants should email their letter of interest, CV and a writing sample to [email protected] by 28 February 2022.