Vacancies
FairPensions is seeking a trustee to join our board.
We are especially looking for an individual with knowledge and/or experience of fund management, as well as a commitment to FairPensions' aims, to join our board. The board oversees and advises on the work of the FairPensions staff team. Existing board members include individuals with backgrounds in responsible investment, investment consulting, NGOs, trades unions, trustee bodies and the law. Board meetings are quarterly, usually in office hours, with an annual AGM. Trustee appointments are unpaid. To submit your CV, or to enquire about the role, please email info@fairpensions.org.uk
Research and Campaigns Internship
Location: 10 minutes walk from London Bridge, SE1
Responsible to: Director of Engagement
Pay: This post is unpaid
Allowance: Reasonable transport costs and lunch
Dates: Ideally a four-month duration
Hours of work: Full time five days per week, (hours flexible)
An opportunity to acquire experience with in a campaigning charity: you will conduct targeted research on Responsible Investment among major investors in the UK and assist with our campaigning work.
FairPensions is a ground-breaking organisation created to fill a specific need: a campaigning body able to focus specifically on harnessing
the power of investors to improve corporate behaviour. UK pension funds invest more than 860 billion pounds (equivalent to nearly one fifth of the UK stock market) and the fund managers they hire to look after their money control trillions of pounds. FairPensions encourages these massive institutional investors to adopt responsible investment, using their position as important shareholders to improve corporate behaviour on environmental and human rights issues. The massive sums at the disposal of these investors means that they could use their shareholder influence to (for example) reduce greenhouse gas emissions or rainforest destruction - but they are largely failing to do so. FairPensions is working to change this.
FairPensions was set up in 2005 by leading NGOs including Oxfam, Amnesty and WWF. In less than three years, FairPensions has already
persuaded investors worth more than 827 billion pounds to adopt FairPensions' responsible investment practices, representing the
pensions of more than a million people.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an individual who wishes to combine research and analysis with campaigning. The job is expected to be divided approximately equally between research and campaigns work. We are proud of the fact that all of our prior interns have gone on to excellent jobs in areas including charities and NGOs, consulting, research, and banking.
Main Responsibilities:
- Research:
o Research using published materials and the internet.
o Compiling/writing: reports will be prepared to present data on a broad range of possible subjects, whether they are new regulatory developments or analysing the behaviour of specific pension funds or fund managers.
o Keeping up to date with news and developments.
o May include meeting with representatives from pension funds and city investment fund managers.
- Campaigning:
o Working in a small team, you will be involved in many aspects of our campaigning work, including (for example) supporter development, fundraising and formulating press releases.
o May also include attendance of trade fairs or functions if relevant
Person specification:
The position would suit people who like to work within a small organization, and enjoy taking on responsibility. The ideal candidate would possess an ability to carry out research, good verbal and written skills and be able to work independently. The ability to take the initiative, and a knowledge of Responsible Investment and/or Corporate Social Responsibility and would be helpful, but are not required. The core characteristics we are searching for are enthusiasm and a willingness to roll up one's sleeves to get the work done. No prior work experience is required. We also, however, welcome applications from more experienced individuals who are seeking a change in career direction.
Applications:
Please email a cover letter and CV by 1pm on Wednesday 3rd September to: ben.watson@fairpensions.org.uk
To be considered, it is important that your cover letter clearly explains why you are interested in the post and why you think you would be a good candidate. Don't be afraid to show your enthusiasm! Due to the volume of applications we receive, we will only be able to contact you if you have been selected for an interview. Thank you for your interest.
Becoming an intern at FairPensions
We really value the skills and contribution of our interns. They make a big difference in our organisation: taking on tasks ranging from research to administration, fundraising to marketing. For example one recent intern at FairPensions played a key role in drawing up our ranking of the top 20 fund managers, and another updated our supporter data base and helped to redesign our website.
In return, we offer a rewarding experience. You will learn about responsible investment and campaigning and gain insight into how a not-for-profit organisation works. Former interns have gone on to work for a wide range of organisations, from the
Carbon Trust
and
Help the Aged
, to
Bloomberg
,
Dexia Asset Management
,
Upstream
and
Nestor Advisors
.
As well as gaining valuable experience, you'll be welcomed into our small, dynamic team. Interns are not paid, but FairPensions reimburses reasonable travel and lunch expenses.
What we look for in volunteers:
- Good communication skills;
- An ability to take initiative;
- Willingness to learn and flexibility;
- Enthusiasm for corporate accountability and sustainable investment.
Applications
Prospective volunteers will need to submit their CV and a covering letter explaining why they'd like to volunteer for us.
Find out here about other ways to get involved.
What one volunteer said about working here:
"The people here could not be more welcoming, willing, and informative. I learned a great deal about what a positive work environment is, and what it can accomplish above and beyond the average workplace...
It just goes to prove that benevolent goals correlate with wonderful environments and great people."
(Mary Elizabeth Thompson, former volunteer)