Research Lead, ZCA

This position is with Zero Carbon Analytics (ZCA), a specialist research team conducting fast turnaround, outcomes-focused research on the climate transition. ZCA works in collaboration with the Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC), a global network of communications professionals in the field of climate, energy and nature. GSCC is a programme hosted by the Meliore Foundation. The Research Lead will oversee ZCA’s research activity, in close collaboration with the ZCA Director. ZCA’s high-integrity analysis helps shift narratives and create space for positive policy action. As the information environment shifts, we are seeking an experienced researcher and project manager to ensure ZCA is implementing best practice across its research areas including energy, nature, policy and science, bolstering its brand as a reliable, robust source of high-quality and trustworthy insight. You will work closely with the ZCA leadership team, reporting directly to the ZCA Director and alongside the ZCA Content Manager, as well as research strand leads, to develop and implement methodologies and processes to ensure the delivery of high-quality, high-integrity, impactful analysis. ### How you'll contribute **Research oversight and development:** - Contribute to the conducting and oversight of high-profile, high-impact, fast-turnaround research projects. - Help to design and implement best practice ways of working across strands, including overseeing AI innovation and risk management, to ensure high-quality, timely, outputs. - Implement and support peer review and fact checking processes to ensure high-integrity outputs. **Strategic development:** - Contribute to the ZCA leadership team’s understanding of how research can have impact in a shifting information ecosystem. - Contribute to growth and promotion of the ZCA brand as a go-to source of robust and reliable information. - Own ZCA’s monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure lessons are learned from past projects and implemented for new projects. **Team leadership:** - Manage research strand leads and help them get the best out of their resources and teams. - Help to identify critical new areas and types of research where ZCA can have impact. - Provide visible team leadership by remaining accessible for escalations and guiding resolution of complex challenges. ### Our ideal candidate has To succeed in this role, you will have the below qualities: **Research Methodologies & Data Analysis:** - Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, systems and tools and evolving practices within those areas, including the use of Artificial Intelligence. - Expertise and experience in data analysis, interpretation, and ensuring high-quality outputs. - Deep knowledge of energy systems, data, and research. **Research Project Management:** - Experience managing multiple research projects for impact. **Quality Assurance:** - Experience implementing and monitoring quality assurance processes to maintain research integrity across the organisation. **Leadership & Team Management:** - Demonstrated ability to oversee, motivate, and troubleshoot issues arising within research teams in rapidly changing environments. - Strong people management and mentorship skills. **Communication & Collaboration:** - Strong interpersonal and communication skills. - Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and with diverse stakeholders. - Ability to self-motivate and work effectively in a remote working environment. - Fluency in written and spoken English, our working language. **Nice to haves:** - Experience in academic, campaigning, or consultancy settings. - Additional languages are an asset. ### Why join us? - Be part of a remote-first, international network of professionals working on climate, energy and nature and work with a bunch of dynamic, culturally diverse individuals who combine their. passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work. - 6 offline da…