Climate and Nature Economist (Mat Cover; 1 Year FTC)

Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return; City of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading non-profit organization in London seeks a Climate and Nature Economist to lead climate and water risk research. The role involves engaging stakeholders and managing projects to promote sustainable food systems. Ideal candidates will have at least 10 years' experience in climate finance or sustainability, strong communication skills, and a proven track record in project management. Join us to make a real impact on global food systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in sustainability or climate finance.
• Ability to translate climate models into financial insights.
• Strong project management and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead FAIRR’s climate and water risk research and tools.
• Engage investors and policy stakeholders on sustainability issues.
• Manage a high-performing team and build partnerships.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Project management

Climate finance

Sustainability frameworks

Education

PhD in relevant discipline

Job description

Climate and Nature Economist (Mat Cover; 1 Year FTC)

About The Role

This is an exciting interim opportunity for an ambitious candidate to join the FAIRR team to drive change in the global food system. The role sits as the organisation’s primary expert on climate and nature risk. The position leads development and delivery of FAIRR’s flagship climate and water risk research and tools, ensuring they remain analytically rigorous, financially material, and aligned with institutional investor needs. This is a maternity‑cover fixed‑term contract (12 months). As a senior, externally facing and cross‑functional role, the successful candidate will shape FAIRR’s technical research, guide model development and delivery, and engage investors, corporates, and policy stakeholders to accelerate the transition to more sustainable food systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Present FAIRR’s water work to senior audiences: present FAIRR’s water insights including the Water Risk Model and Investor Brief to investor, corporate, and policy decision‑makers; deliver tailored regional roadshows to engage diverse geographies and investor segments.
• Build partnerships to scale FAIRR’s impact in the lead‑up to World Water Week and the UN 2026 Water Conference: establish and execute partnerships with international organisations, investors and foundations in the field, to amplify FAIRR’s water work, e.g., co‑hosted webinars, joint insight pieces, short videos, and event collaborations.
• Design funding proposals and deliver implementation: collaborate with the Development Director and the Head of Nature Programmes to develop high‑quality proposals for the water programme, building on FAIRR’s existing water work, and provide leadership in programme delivery as needed.
• Sharpen FAIRR’s voice on climate risk on water and feed‑crop through thought leadership: write insights and company case studies for FAIRR’s website based on findings from the water and grains reports, linking them to timely market, policy, and news developments.
• Team management: lead and develop a high‑performing team, setting clear objectives, delivering timely feedback, and coaching for growth; create an inclusive, supportive environment that enables the team to do its best work.

Technical Governance and Oversight

• Chair FAIRR’s Technical Working Group to align technical priorities and share external insights, present them to the ExCo on a regular/quarterly basis.
• Provide organisation‑wide technical input for FAIRR publications, proposals, and external consultations.

Essential Criteria

• At least 10 years’ relevant experience in sustainability, climate finance, or related fields.
• Proven ability to translate climate and/or nature risk models into financial implications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to turn complex modelling into investor‑ready insights.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence senior external audiences.
• Familiarity with sustainability frameworks, financial risk analysis, and investor reporting.
• Demonstrated project management, delivering complex research across competing timelines.
• Track record of cross‑functional collaboration and mentoring others.

Desirable Criteria

• PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Domain exposure to agriculture, food systems, or natural resource management.
• Partnership‑building and fundraising experience (foundation grants, or strategic MOUs).

About Us

The FAIRR (Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return) Initiative was established in 2015 by the Jeremy Coller Foundation. The FAIRR Initiative is the fastest‑growing ESG investor network with more than 400 investor members representing over 80 trillion in combined assets, leveraging capital markets and driving positive change across the global food sector. FAIRR focuses on raising awareness of the key ESG risks and opportunities impacting the protein value chain. Visit the FAIRR website for more information: www.fairr.org. Jeremy Coller Foundation (JCF) is a private foundation based in London and operating globally. The Jeremy Coller Foundation was established in 2002 as the philanthropic vehicle of Jeremy Coller, Chair and Chief Investment Officer of Coller Capital, a leading private equity secondaries business. The foundation seeks to further venture and management education and address animal welfare, environmental, and human health issues caused by intensive animal agriculture. Learn more on the JCF website: www.jeremycollerfoundation.org.

Why Join Us

Working for FAIRR provides the opportunity to be part of something big! As a purpose‑led organisation, we offer a role that allows you to make an impact on people and the planet through our work on sustainable food systems. Our team is building for the future. We are a fast‑paced organisation, offering a place to learn, do great things with great people, and have the autonomy to make decisions that spark and manifest real change. FAIRR is comprised of several expert teams: Thematic Research & Engagements, Data & Research, Policy, Investor Outreach, Communications & Marketing, People & Culture. Our teams have grown rapidly but remain small enough to be innovative due to agility and collaboration. Teamwork and strong working relationships are key to our culture and enable a high level of trust within the team. All of this makes FAIRR a fantastic place to work to achieve real impact in the Global Food system – our goals are ambitious and exciting! FAIRR’s culture is one of autonomy and responsibility, enabling skill development and career growth. Our team are supported and given stretch opportunities through our collaborative engagements with investors and the work we do with corporates producing innovative tools, data and research. You will have the opportunity to work on a range of high‑profile topics to grow your expertise.

Location: London, England, United Kingdom. We are located in a modern office near Marble Arch.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
• Employment type: Contract
• Job function: Other
• Industry: Non‑profit Organizations
• Location: London, England, United Kingdom