Research Analyst

Role Overview:

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the organisation's protein transition work in India. The Analyst will support and report to the India Director for Protein Transition contributing to strategic planning, relationships with companies, banks and investors and will become expert in producing or adapting research on various aspects on responsible and sustainable protein including climate emissions, deforestation risks, antibiotic use, farm animal welfare and alternative protein developments for Indian corporates. The role holder will also collaborate with the head office in Singapore, partly supporting the Protein Transition mission in other parts of Asia-collaborating with other organisation team members, and externally with companies, regulators, industry bodies and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Engagement Support:

• Support the development and maintenance of business relationships with key Indian food companies, banks, and asset managers by cold calling/emailing for outreach, arranging meetings, collating, presenting, and sharing information to encourage improved protein responsibility and sustainability policies, standards, targets, and disclosure.
• Tailor engagement support materials to initiate or maintain engagement of Indian companies and banks to influence them in line with strategic objectives.

Research and Analysis:

• Deliver Indian target company and bank profiles, plus contextual and strategic background research. Mapping the financial, ESG and animal industry, welfare and alternative protein ecosystem in / for India (70%), and other Asian countries (30%)
• Benchmark Indian banks as part of the organisation's energy transition work, and protein transition work, dedicating about 15-20% of the total work time to it.
• Conduct internal research and analysis on ESG with regard to proteins, including related farm animal welfare and alternative proteins in India.
• Contribute to the biennial benchmark on responsible protein sourcing.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Collaborate with the India PT Director, and other team members in Singapore on writing communications including presentations, blogs, articles, and research reports.
• Maintain and update a database of research and engagement of corporate targets, regulatory policies, and members of the animal and alternative protein ecosystems and changes across finance and food-related sectors.
• Support the organization in building thought leadership in the region via supporting content and strategies for social media, public events, conferences, etc.

Required attributes:

• Tenacious, collaborative and intellectually curious
• Able to work in a multi-cultural and small matrix context
• Good analytic skills, and track record in actionable research with a focus on sustainability, business and responsible and sustainable proteins ideally, or food systems more broadly.
• High attention to detail and able to manage multiple deadlines
• Identify themes, recognise issues and be able to discuss constructive solutions
• Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills
• Passion and motivation for this work, and change in India.

Requirements and competencies:

• 2-3 years of experience in business, food system, finance, sustainability, ESG, journalism, or other relevant sector with the appropriate skill set
• Relevant academic background such as economics, finance, business, sustainability, or environmental/social management
• Experience in research analysis and benchmarking, preferably in animal food systems/sustainability
• Experience in the food production, innovation, or retail industry would be an advantage
• A good understanding of how environmental and social concerns relate to business risks and opportunities
• Ideally, some experience and knowledge of finance, investment, or credit teams on ESG topics and sector-specific research