The Institute for Human Rights & Business (IHRB) is seeking a Research & Engagement Lead to spearhead a landmark report on “just” adaptation finance in Africa. This initiative aims to examine how financial and insurance systems can be reoriented to support inclusive, resilient outcomes for communities most exposed to climate risks. IHRB’s Work on Climate and Just Transitions IHRB’s Just Transitions Programme addresses structural misalignments in current climate action approaches, which undermine effective delivery. Key challenges include: Top-down decision-making across sectors Financial systems that misprice social risks Fragmented adaptation and mitigation efforts Limited awareness of practical, investable models among practitioners These gaps create an implementation disconnect: while climate ambition increases, delivery often remains contested, delayed, or fragile, creating risks for workers, communities, and corporate operations. IHRB maintains that successful climate action is fundamentally social, not merely technical or financial. Embedding the rights and agency of workers, communities, and stakeholders into decision-making is a precondition for effective, investable climate strategies. This approach aligns with international frameworks, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which establish participation, accountability, and due diligence as baseline requirements. IHRB drives change through three interlinked strategies: Making risk visible – demonstrating how social impacts translate into financial costs and enterprise risk Making the possible tangible – identifying real-world models and translating them into actionable insights Making change actionable – convening diverse stakeholders from business, finance, policy, and civil society to tackle emerging challenges Purpose of the Project Adaptation finance in Africa remains fragmented and under-capitalised, heavily reliant on public or concessional funding, with limited private-sector engagement. Insurance and risk transfer mechanisms are increasingly important, influencing investment decisions and determining who is protected. Yet these systems often exclude the most climate-exposed populations and rarely integrate human rights or just transitions considerations. The project seeks to investigate how financial and insurance mechanisms interact and explore approaches to align these systems with people-centered adaptation and resilience outcomes. The Research & Engagement Lead will engage directly with financial institutions, insurers, policymakers, and community leaders to map practical pathways for reform. Role Overview The Research & Engagement Lead will produce a flagship report on adaptation finance in Africa, building on insights from IHRB’s Spectrum of Just Transitions Finance. The focus will include: Evaluating financial institutions, insurers, and risk-sharing mechanisms Assessing alignment between capital deployment, risk management, and social outcomes Engaging practitioners from day one to understand decision-making, incentives, and barriers The goal is not only to map existing financial mechanisms but also to highlight opportunities for inclusive, scalable, and resilient adaptation solutions. Key Objectives The role involves developing a high-impact, practitioner-oriented report to: Map the spectrum of adaptation finance and risk-sharing mechanisms Analyze how financial and insurance actors price and manage climate risks Identify emerging models that align capital with resilience, social inclusion, and community agency Translate findings into actionable insights for decision-makers Responsibilities 1. Research Design & Practitioner Engagement Lead action-oriented research with banks, investors, DFIs, insurers, policymakers, and community leaders Understand constraints, incentives, and decision logics Test hypotheses and identify practical barriers and opportunities 2. Analytical Framework Develop a framework encompassing public, private, and blended finance instruments Map insurance and risk transfer mechanisms such as sovereign risk pools and parametric insurance Analyze interactions between finance and social resilience outcomes 3. Evidence & Case Development Identify and analyze real-world adaptation finance instruments and insurance products Conduct structured interviews across financial, governmental, and community actors Produce case studies illustrating successes, failures, and scaling conditions 4. Report Development & Insight Translation Draft a flagship report for financial institutions, insurers, policymakers, donors, and community leaders Translate findings into frameworks, decision-useful insights, and actionable recommendations Desired Candidate Profile Essential Experience & Knowledge 7+ years in climate, development, or sustainable finance Strong understanding of African adaptation and resilience finance landscape Ability to engage senior practitioners and translate complex data into clear frameworks Proven track record of producing high-quality, decision-relevant research Desirable Experience & Knowledge Experience with DFIs, climate funds, or blended finance structures Familiarity with insurance or reinsurance markets, including climate risk mechanisms Understanding of social risk, human rights due diligence, and just transitions Personal Attributes Proactive, self-motivated, and accountable Flexible and adaptable to project needs Diplomatic and tactful in stakeholder engagement Contract & Timeframe Start Date: As soon as possible, ideally April 2026 Duration: 7–9 months, flexible engagement of approximately 2.5 days per week Location: Fully remote; Africa-based candidates preferred Compensation: Fixed budget of £48,600 inclusive of fees About IHRB Founded in 2009, the Institute for Human Rights & Business is a leading global think tank focused on integrating human rights into everyday business practice. IHRB engages governments, businesses, civil society, and international organisations to shape policy, advance practice, and strengthen accountability across emerging human rights challenges. Success Metrics A widely used, practitioner-relevant report demonstrating the current state and art-of-the-possible in adaptation finance Clear articulation of how climate and social risk is priced and could be restructured Tangible influence on financial, insurance, and policy practices Strengthened integration of adaptation and resilience across IHRB programmes VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization hiring. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. 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