UNPAID VOLUNTEER: Legal Research Officer (Climate Change/Emerging Tech) (CAN/US)

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN UNPAID VOLUNTEERING ROLE

Role title: Legal Research Officer (Climate Change/ Emerging Technologies)

Role nature: Volunteer

Location: Canada; Toronto, ON, Canada; Montreal, QC, Canada; United States; New York, NY, United States (Home-based)

The Blockchain & Climate Institute (BCI) is an international volunteer-led think tank supporting and advocating the application of blockchain technology in the global fight against climate change.

The candidates for this VOLUNTARY, unpaid role should possess the required knowledge about climate change-related legislation and affinity with distributed ledger technologies, but also be motivated to accomplish BCI’s mission.

Able to develop rigorous methodologies for legal research projects, candidates are expected to conduct independent legal research and analyses, as well as engage key stakeholders, including legislators, regulators, lawyers, and policymakers, to establish strategic partnerships for accomplishing the BCI’s core mission. With support from Members of the Regulatory Reform Working Group and under the guidance of the Head of Legal Research, Legal Research Officers are given opportunities to publish research papers and produce briefing materials for the consumption of partner governments. Principal/Senior Legal Research Officers will also be assigned to draft speeches and/or deliver presentations on behalf of the BCI at external conferences.

The standard time commitment for all BCI roles is, on average, one day per week to be flexibly spread across the week.

Responsibilities:

• To provide research support on topics around legislation or regulation regarding international climate and environment-related treaties, etc.
• To engage relevant stakeholders in the change and sustainability policy space for developing strategic partnerships or collaboration opportunities
• To communicate BCI’s research findings and insights at international conferences or high-level events

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to develop effective working relationships, work flexibly across professional and operational boundaries, and communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Purpose-driven professional, with a passion for climate justice, innovation, and complex systems
• Fluency in one of these languages is desirable:
• Arabic
• Chinese
• French
• Russian
• Spanish

General & Specialist Knowledge

• Strong in-depth knowledge of the following topics:
• Big data (security)
• Climate change
• UNFCCC processes
• Public international laws related to climate change and the environment
• Basic understanding of the functioning of:
• Distributed ledger technology
• Token economy
• Smart contracts
• Crypto-assets
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and legal research databases such as Lexis Nexis
• Familiarity with academic and referencing tools such as Mendeley

Education & Training

• A degree in law is required
• A master’s degree in one of the following fields is highly desirable:
• International Environmental Law
• Climate Policy
• Information Technology Law

Relevant Experience

• Proven ability to conduct (academic) research in the fields of international environmental law, climate change policy, and/or Internet/Technology law (desirable)
• Proven experience working independently and collaboratively in a team to drive forward projects using his/her own initiative
• Experience in designing, planning, and facilitating independent research and the ability to meet tight deadlines
• Law firm/start-up experience is not required, but is desirable

Blockchain and other emerging technologies, as well as climate change and sustainability, are two hot topic groups that have been headlining media outlets, dominating conferences & events, and gaining increasing traction in research and pilot projects. One of the most important aspects of BCI’s mission is to support legislators and policymakers to create an enabling environment for the adoption of distributed ledger technologies. To that end, this opportunity will deepen BCI's legal research on the interaction between existing legal frameworks and innovative technologies.

The benefits you will get from volunteering with BCI are enormous and include:

• You will refine existing skills or acquire new ones, including legal research, presentation, writing, and professional etiquette
• Your mind will be engaged, providing you with a fulfilling sense of purpose
• You will enhance and elevate your professional trajectory by building meaningful connections, gaining practical experience at the convergence of climate and emerging technologies
• You will cultivate enduring professional relationships with individuals united in their mission to improve the world and will establish close connections in the nonprofit sector

Selection Process

As a voluntary organization, we are pleased to open the door for candidates who may not have the prior experience they need to start, progress, or switch their careers. To recruit the most suitable, talented, or potential new members out of the volume of applications received, it is the BCI’s policy to also consider inexperienced candidates to fill our voluntary unpaid roles as long as they can demonstrate the skills required in the written assessment. In the selection process, most candidates will be invited to complete the following assessment:

Section A: Verbal and numerical reasoning (20 multiple-choice questions)

Section B: Situation judgement test (20 multiple-choice questions)

Section C: In-tray exercise (an open-ended assessment relevant to the duties of the role)

Candidates who pass all three sections will be invited to attend a phone screening, first interview, and final interview online.