Entry Level Researcher

Company overview

Efeca, a B Corp certified in 2023, is a specialist team of technical experts working on sustainable supply chains. The organisation supports national and international policies, regulations, and private sector commitments, including deforestation-related pledges and responsible procurement approaches.

The business concentrates on forest-risk commodities such as soy, palm oil, timber, coffee, cocoa, rubber, and beef/leather. It provides independent, evidence-led analysis to help clients lower environmental and social risks within global commodity supply chains. Efeca also operates the UK Soy Manifesto, the UK Sustainable Commodities Initiative, and supports the Broader Market Recognition Coalition (BMRC).

Role summary

This full-time Entry Level Researcher position is focused on supporting research and analysis across forest-risk commodities and sustainability policy topics. The role involves turning complex information into clear, practical outputs for internal and client use, while working closely with senior colleagues and contributing to multiple live projects.

What you will do

• Collect, review, and analyse data from reports, academic material, and industry sources.
• Condense findings into concise, easy-to-understand summaries.
• Help prepare briefing notes, presentations, and written content for client work, policy discussions, and stakeholder meetings.
• Track changes in policy, regulation, and market activity relevant to the team’s work.
• Maintain internal databases and project records.
• Support coordination and administrative tasks across several projects.
• Work with senior team members and contribute actively in team meetings.

Skills and experience needed

• Strong research capability and analytical thinking, including the ability to gather, interpret, and combine both qualitative and quantitative information.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to explain complex topics clearly for different audiences.
• Comfort working independently in a remote environment and managing time well.
• Good working knowledge of common office and collaboration tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Canva.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and willingness to learn and take feedback in a supportive team setting.

Working pattern and location

This is a full-time role. Full-time hours at Efeca are 37.5 hours per week. The company aims to avoid a rigid 9 to 5:30 pattern on Fridays; if core hours are completed by 1 pm on Friday, employees can usually take Friday afternoons off. To make this work, staff may start earlier from Monday to Thursday or finish later on those days.

Regular attendance at the Bournemouth office is expected, though the exact arrangement will be discussed at interview.

Pay and benefits

Efeca is a living wage employer, so pay is above the national living wage. Salary details are provided on the vacancy page and pay is reviewed annually, with occasional more frequent reviews linked to personal development.

• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Your birthday off.
• Wellbeing days, including the option to take duvet days when needed.
• Access to a leading health and wellbeing app and services, including mental health support and counselling.
• 4 days, or 30 hours, of paid volunteer time each financial year for full-time staff.
• Internal and external brown bag lunch sessions.
• Participation in annual beach clean activities.
• Employer pension contribution of 5%, with a 3% employee contribution required.
• Ethical fund option available within the pension plan.

Application details

Applicants should send a CV and cover letter to Lucy Cullinane at the email address provided by the employer. Applications are reviewed and interviews are held on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. The successful candidate is expected to begin as soon as possible.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.

Applicants are also encouraged to review the organisation’s DEI application guide, which explains its approach to helping every applicant show their potential regardless of gender, racial or ethnic identity, or socioeconomic background.

Further information is available directly from the employer.