About the PRI

The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.

The PRI’s three distinct capabilities relate to the core elements of the PRI’s approach to achieving a sustainable financial system.

• Translate RI (Responsible Investment) thought leadership into insights and practical support that is tailored to what signatories need to progress their RI practice

• Convene our vast network to create opportunities for collaborative action

• Harness our global scale to influence policymakers and regulators to effect system change

Job Description

The Research Associate, Canada RI Ecosystems will be responsible for conducting research on leadership in the field of sustainable finance within the province of Quebec. The Research Associate will investigate practical examples of local responsible investment and stewardship best practices from Quebec-based PRI signatories, in order to produce written materials that highlight examples of such leadership in action.

Through this research, the Research Associate will contribute to PRI’s body of thought leadership by ways of a process that is informed by signatories and of value to the local – as well as the global – RI ecosystem that underpins the PRI.

The role requires an understanding of the investment industry, the sustainable development agenda, as well as the relevant local and regional policy and regulatory environments.

The successful candidate will join an inclusive team that forms part of the wider Responsible Investment Ecosystem (RIE) team.

The role offers a diverse, challenging and inspiring environment and corresponding responsibilities. Successful candidates can participate in and contribute to a wide range of exciting and relevant activities and initiatives, both internally and externally, at a local level and related to international developments.

Domestic travel will be required primarily for signatory or stakeholder meetings, industry events, and internal meetings. The role reports to the Head of Canada as part of the wider RIE Americas team.

Core Responsibilities:

• Support relevant activities in the Canadian RI ecosystem, as required, to support the Head of Canada in delivering against the team’s business plan and budget.

• Provide regular reporting to the Head of Canada; Director of Americas; and Chief RIE Officer, Americas & APAC; as required.

• Environmental scan: Review of media coverage, signatory websites, PRI reporting outputs, press releases, meeting minutes, and other primary and secondary sources to identify and explore the universe of responsible investment activities in Quebec, with a particular view towards local signatory activities.

• Information-gathering with Quebec signatories: Through informal liaison and participation in the Quebec Advisory Committee and all-signatory meetings, narrow scope of focus to smaller set of participating signatories.

• Proposal of case study selections: Through collaboration with Canada RIE team and other relevant internal teams at the PRI, develop proposed selection of case studies. Subsequently verify willingness of selected signatories to participate in the research project.

• In-depth interviews: Engage with decision-makers and key stakeholders at selected signatories regarding their innovative RI initiatives and practices as case studies, conduct in-depth, open-ended interviews to obtain detailed information on the initiatives and practices in question. 

• Development of case studies: The Research Associate will then write initial draft case studies in style and format compliant with similar PRI publications. The Research Associate will then send out drafts for review by relevant PRI teams and the selected signatories. 

Person Specification

• Experience in or knowledge of the investment industry, with a good understanding of the structure and operation of the investment chain and issues relating to developments in sustainable finance and responsible investment (with a particular focus on Quebec and Canada).

• Experience in or knowledge of ESG issues and their overall impact on the long-term investment outcomes and society.

• Experience in or knowledge of research design and applied research methods, such as archival work, media analysis, surveys, and interviews, to collect and analyse qualitative and/or quantitative data.

• Excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills in French and English.

• A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others & committed to fostering an inclusive environment 

• Excellent networking, relationship management and interpersonal skills and experience of building strong and productive relationships

• Strong programme management skills, with experience in delivering complex projects successfully

• IT/Digital skills to an intermediate level (Microsoft Office, website management systems, CRM, etc.)

• Some domestic travel may be required.

We particularly welcome candidates from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and other People of Colour, those with visible or non-visible disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates and those who are neurodivergent.

The PRI is committed to offering flexibility to our employees, both formal (e.g. part-time work) and informal (e.g. a shift in hours to accommodate caring responsibilities). Please talk to us about how we could make this role flexible for you.

N.B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy before the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities.