Oceans Research Assistant

Based: Taipei

Contract: Full-time, permanent. Hybrid working arrangements are in place and flexible working arrangements can be considered.

Salary range and benefits: depending on location and experience [NTD 50,000 - 70,000 pcm, depending on experience]

Reporting to: Researcher/Campaigner

Position overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team at the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF): one of the world's leading non-profits working at the intersection of environmental conservation and human rights. We are lean, agile, creative, strategic and most of all, results driven.

The Oceans Research Assistant will provide essential research support to the EJF Oceans team by undertaking OSINT research, supply chain mapping and data analysis across multiple issues and geographies. The role will have a primary focus on EJF’s efforts to document and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This is a challenging and varied role demanding meticulous attention to detail, creative thinking, an ability to quickly grasp new issues, and a ‘can do’ attitude.

Working with colleagues across the organisation, the Research Assistant will support relevant campaigners and researchers in their efforts to detect and deter IUU fishing and associated human rights abuses among the world’s largest distant-water fishing fleets. This will include using a range of technologies and data sources to shine a light on vessel behaviours and ownership and to gather the evidence needed to ensure those inflicting harm upon the ocean and those who rely on it are brought to account.

The Research Assistant will be part of the EJF Oceans team, which has a presence in 15 countries, to drive the necessary changes at local, regional and global scales to detect and deter IUU fishing and human rights abuses. This role offers superb opportunities to learn and progress professionally within a high-impact international organisation. Join our world-leading professional team to help protect people, wildlife, and our shared natural world.

Key responsibilities.

• Conduct research and support investigations on IUU fishing and human rights abuses on board industrial fishing vessels, including legal and policy research, supply chain mapping and other areas relevant to campaigns and projects.
• Provide ad-hoc assistance to the broader Oceans Team, including open source intelligence (OSINT) research, literature reviews, scoping exercises, proofreading.
• Process highly sensitive qualitative and quantitative data on IUU fishing and human rights abuses to enable its use in EJF’s advocacy campaigns.

Essential skills and attributes.

• Outstanding research skills, and intellectual and academic rigour.
• Meticulous attention to detail, precision, and accuracy, and the ability to handle sensitive information with care and discretion.
• Experience in conducting quantitative analysis, including use of tools such as pivot tables, etc.
• Ability to learn quickly and apply information to the specific needs of the campaigns and research tasks.
• Strong spoken and written English and Mandarin Chinese.
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to balance diverging demands and interests.
• Understanding that change is not easily won, but worth winning.

Desirable skills.

• Proven professional experience in research, ideally in environmental protection or a related area.
• Direct experience working on the issue of IUU fishing and/or human rights abuses at sea.

We offer you.

Pay and benefits will be adjusted according to location.

• Annual leave starting at 18 days per year (on top of all Taiwan national holidays) and increasing annually.
• Hybrid working (60:@40 split of office:home).
• Flexible working arrangements considered.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Potential for unique opportunities and dynamic career development.
• An opportunity to work within a supportive and committed professional team that delivers high impact, protecting our natural world. www.ejfoundation.org
• The position offers great opportunities for professional growth and personal development in close collaboration with our diverse team in our offices across Europe, Africa and Asia.

The successful applicant should have the right to work in Taiwan.

Applications: Please send your CV and a cover letter in English explaining why you are the right person for this position to recruitment@ejfoundation.org.

Closing date for applications: We would like to fill this position as soon as possible and will consider incoming applications until 31/01/2025. We therefore recommend that you apply in good time before the deadline.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.