Senior Research Assistant – Transition Finance (Global, Remote) job at Transformativefin Hub e-Learning Centre

Vacancy title:
Senior Research Assistant – Transition Finance (Global, Remote)

Jobs at:
Transformativefin Hub e-Learning Centre

Deadline of this Job:
Wednesday, October 15 2025

Duty Station:
Remote (Global)

Summary
Date Posted: Friday, September 19 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:

Location: Remote (Global)
Contract: Two-year fixed term (full-time, renewable; six-month probation; contingent on funding)
Salary: £55,000 – £65,000 per annum (commensurate with experience)
Application Deadline: Rolling review until 15 October 2025

TRANSFORMATIVEFIN HUB e-Learning Centre – a leading global initiative in sustainable finance education – is seeking a Senior Research Assistant (Transition Finance) to join our dynamic team. This role offers a unique opportunity to advance cutting-edge research and capacity-building in sustainable finance on a global scale. The position is remote-based and will play a pivotal part in developing innovative content and policy insights for emerging markets, with engagement across Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

About TRANSFORMATIVEFIN HUB E-Learning Centre

TRANSFORMATIVEFIN HUB is an international capacity-building hub dedicated to transforming finance for sustainable development. We bridge the gap between knowledge and action – delivering action-oriented online courses and executive training programs that empower professionals to drive positive change in their organizations and communities. Backed by a network of development agencies, think tanks, and industry experts, our Centre has trained professionals across more than 40 countries, cultivating the next generation of leaders in sustainable finance and development.

Role Overview: Senior Research Assistant – Transition Finance

In this role, you will be at the forefront of our research and content development efforts in the field of transition finance – the financial strategies and instruments that facilitate the shift from high-carbon to low-carbon economies. As a Senior Research Assistant, you will support a multi-year project aimed at developing knowledge and training tools for financing sustainable transitions in emerging economies. You will work closely with our lead experts and partners to produce insightful analysis and learning materials that inform both policy and practice. This position has a global focus: you will conduct comparative research across regions and engage with stakeholders in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia to ensure our content is globally relevant and locally grounded.

Key to this role is the ability to translate complex research findings into practical knowledge. You will also partly contribute directly to our teaching programmes – including the Executive Certificate in Sustainable Finance – by providing the latest data, case studies, and best practices in transition finance. This is a highly collaborative position, where you will interface with international thought leaders, government officials, and development practitioners to gather insights and validate approaches. The Senior Research Assistant will also help shape policy briefs and publications that advance the discourse on sustainable finance transitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Research & Analysis: Conduct in-depth research on transition finance topics (e.g. climate transition strategies, sustainable infrastructure finance, green bonds and de-carbonization of high-emitting sectors). Analyze global trends and country-specific case studies in climate and sustainable finance, with a focus on emerging and developing economies.
• Policy & Technical Support: Assist in writing policy briefs, research reports, and thought leadership articles on transition finance. Provide technical input and factchecking for publications and presentations. Help distill complex financial concepts into accessible formats for policymakers and course participants.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with a diverse range of stakeholders to inform our work. This may involve liaising with government officials, regulators, and experts in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia to gather local insights and data. Coordinate interviews, focus groups, or workshops (virtual) with partner organizations, development agencies, and industry practitioners to validate research findings and collaboratively identify best practices in financing the transition to sustainability.
• Collaboration & Project Coordination: Work closely with TRANSFORMATIVEFIN HUB’s instructional design and curriculum team to integrate research outputs into online modules and toolkits. Collaborate with senior researchers, course instructors, and external consultants to ensure alignment of project activities with the Centre’s educational objectives. Support project management tasks such as work-planning, progress monitoring, and reporting to funders on project deliverables.
• Global Insights & Innovation: Continuously scan the international landscape for innovative approaches to sustainable and transition finance (e.g. new blended finance mechanisms, climate risk mitigation tools, impact investment trends). Bring forward ideas that can enhance our training programs and advisory services. Contribute to building a global knowledge base by comparing lessons learned across different regions and highlighting cross-cutting challenges and opportunities in transition finance.

Who We’re Looking For (Qualifications)

• Education: Master’s degree in finance, economics, environmental policy, sustainable development, or a related discipline. A focus on sustainable finance or climate finance in coursework or research is highly desirable.
• Experience: At least 12 years of relevant experience in research or policy analysis within sustainable finance, climate finance, development finance, or a related field. Experience with projects in developing countries or international contexts is a strong asset. (Exceptional candidates with slightly fewer years but with highly relevant experience or academic credentials may be considered.)
• Technical Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of sustainable finance concepts and mechanisms – such as climate risk assessment, green bonds, blended finance, and transition finance. Familiarity with global frameworks (e.g. the Paris Agreement, SDGs) and financing challenges in emerging markets is expected.
• Research & Analytical Skills: Proven ability to conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative research. Comfortable handling data (e.g. climate finance data, economic indicators) and using analytical tools to draw insights. Able to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable conclusions. Prior publication of reports or articles in the field is a plus.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with an ability to craft compelling narratives and clear analyses. Able to adapt writing style for different audiences – from technical reports for experts to accessible content for online courses. Strong presentation skills are also beneficial.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Experience engaging with policymakers, industry stakeholders, or multi-stakeholder working groups internationally. Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively with partners and informants from different regions (especially Africa and Asia) are essential.
• Innovation & Initiative: A proactive mindset with a passion for sustainable development. Willingness to learn continuously and contribute creative ideas to advance the Centre’s mission. Able to work independently in a remote setting, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and a team-oriented attitude. Experience working in multidisciplinary and remote teams. Comfort with digital collaboration tools (video conferencing, project management platforms, collaborative docs).
• Desirable: Knowledge of policy environments in Sub-Saharan Africa or Southeast Asia; additional language skills (e.g. French, Arabic, or Southeast Asian languages) are an advantage but not required. A track record of working on projects funded by international development agencies or foundations is also a plus.

What We Offer

• Impactful Work: An opportunity to be part of a mission-driven organization at the forefront of sustainable finance education. Your work will directly contribute to building capacity among decision-makers and finance professionals to tackle climate change and sustainable development challenges.
• Global Exposure: Engage with high-profile partners and stakeholders worldwide, including government agencies, development institutions, and thought leaders in sustainable finance. Gain invaluable experience working across different regions and contexts.
• Professional Growth: We support our team’s continuous learning. You will have access to all Transformative FinHub courses (including the Executive Certificate programs and other trainings) and our extensive e-library of resources to further develop your expertise. We also encourage attendance in relevant workshops and conferences (with potential sponsorship for presentations).
• Flexible, Remote Work Environment: Join a remote-first workplace with flexible hours, enabling you to work from anywhere while collaborating with a diverse, international team. We prioritize outcomes and communication, not time spent in an office.
• Competitive Compensation: A remuneration package within the range of £55k– £65k, commensurate with your experience and qualifications. As this role is contingent on project funding, the final offer will be aligned with the confirmed grant budget.
• Inclusive Culture: Be part of a collaborative and inclusive culture that values innovation, diversity, and mutual support. You will work alongside passionate professionals dedicated to advancing sustainability. We provide mentorship and regular feedback to help you thrive in your role.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 144

Level of Education: bachelor degree

Job application procedure

Interested candidates are invited to submit an expression of interest by email. Please send the following application materials to recruitmenttransformativefinhub.org with the subject line “Senior Research Assistant – Transition Finance”:

• Cover Letter detailing your experience, interest in the role, and how you meet the qualifications outlined. Please also indicate your availability/notice period and current location (time zone).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting your relevant academic background, work experience, and any publications or projects in sustainable finance or related fields.
• (Optional) Writing Sample or Research Piece that you authored, relevant to sustainable finance or climate/development policy, if available.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. The final deadline for applications is 15 October 2025. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for an initial interview (virtual) and a brief written assessment. Please note: Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted further. We appreciate your understanding that, due to the high volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to each individual.

Important Notes for Applicants

• No Fees – We do not charge any application fees at any stage of the recruitment process. We will never ask for money or personal financial information from applicants. Please be vigilant of scams impersonating recruitment.
• Direct Applications Only – We are not engaging any external recruitment agencies for this position. Applications should be submitted by candidates directly. Submissions via third-party recruiters or platforms that charge applicants will not be accepted.
• Equal Opportunity – We are an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. We are committed to a fair and inclusive remote workplace.
• Funding Contingency – This position is part of a project pending final funding approval. While we are optimistic about securing the grant, the hiring and start date will be finalized once funding is confirmed. We will keep candidates informed of any updates in the recruitment timeline.
• Privacy – Personal data provided in the application will be used for recruitment purposes only and handled in accordance with our data protection policies.

Join us at TRANSFORMATIVEFIN HUB and be a catalyst for change in the world of sustainable finance. If you’re passionate about financing a greener and more equitable future, we want to hear from you! Together, let’s empower communities and leaders worldwide to create a sustainable financial future.