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Job Title: Research Director


Team: Research


Reporting to: Josephine Richardson, Managing Director - Head of Research


AFII Mission: Empower fixed income markets to drive global climate transition at speed and scale – “shifting future climate capital”.


About AFII: The Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute (AFII) is a global non-profit organisation empowering fixed income markets to drive the global climate transition. AFII provides fixed income investors with the insights and tools they need to align their portfolios with ambitious climate targets.


The AFII strategy is three-fold: (1) “initiate movement” by creating cutting edge, intellectually robust ideas and research on how to shift fixed income markets to support climate change; (2) “accelerate movement” by converting ideas into practical solutions for investors to make better decision when investing in climate change; (3) “generate volume” of fixed income capital flows to climate friendly investments through targeted communications, advocacy and outreach.


AFII is entering into an exciting new phase of its development since its launch in 2020. AFII aims to become a highly specialised, market-driven organisation in the non-profit domain where the output and style of AFII’s work will be in line with Tier-1 investment banks. To achieve AFII’s core objectives, the organisation has put the asset owner and asset manager community (such as pension funds, Sovereign Wealth Funds and other entities with fiduciary duty to end-investors) as the key stakeholder to engage, educate and empower. The organisation strives to integrate conclusions of its research into investment decisions by asset owners and managers.


Purpose of the Role


The role of the Research Director will be to track general market flows and dynamics in the context of the climate transition. They will produce innovative research and engage with industry stakeholders as well as collaborate with the team on key topics.


Research at AFII is conducted across the whole credit spectrum and not only labelled bonds, with a clear market perspective, and the aim to fully integrate climate risk and impact into portfolio management. Therefore, an understanding of alpha generation, long/shorts, benchmarking, derivatives and macro market drivers would be beneficial for this role.


AFII runs a compact, dynamic team where being able to deliver in a fast-paced environment is crucial; this role requires creativity, attention to detail, and capacity to work independently as well as the ability to collaborate well with other team members.


We offer a collaborative, start-up environment where you will be a part of a larger purpose and evolving high-performance culture that empowers you to make an impact.


General front-office requirements


  • Keep updated and with AFII research and advocacy portfolio to be able to communicate with counterparties on relevant AFII themes.
  • General financial markets proximity: e.g. continuous FT markets section discussion ability
  • Excellence in execution along the lines of a tier-1 financial institution
  • Entrepreneurial spirit to the development of AFII. Contribute with ideas, inputs and feedbacks on how to develop the organisation, the strategy and general themes for AFII to develop, in a collaborative spirit


Key Responsibilities


Research

  • Research, analyse and evaluate a variety of industries, companies and securities in the global credit markets with large carbon footprints
  • Conduct insightful, forward thinking research
  • Identify climate and nature opportunities in the global fixed income market
  • Write innovative market research targeting fixed income practitioners, most importantly portfolio managers
  • Contribute to thought leadership / white paper creation: working closely with investor stakeholders, the successful candidate will support the production of thought pieces for AFII’s readership


Indicators of success

• Leading on research publications

• Balance between top-down portfolio analysis and single name case studies


Portfolio analytics

  • Play a supporting role in AFII’s portfolio strategy and direction relating to new products and strategic direction
  • Provide recommendations to fixed income portfolio managers on climate trade opportunities that will help align their portfolios to climate/ESG


Indicators of success

• Communicate well with portfolio team

• Develop quantitative metrics to price climate risk in portfolios


Stakeholder engagement

  • Build relationships with FI market stakeholders through direct outreach and through network events
  • Advance ideas and recommend potential climate trade opportunities to AFII stakeholders
  • Establish and maintain a standard of excellence with AFII’s stakeholder relationships
  • Support external team members by disseminating information and data regarding AFII’s work and answer questions pertaining to broader markets
  • Represent AFII at conferences and events through speaking engagements or attendance.
  • Ensure accurate audit trail maintained of all stakeholder engagements through meeting notes and record info into the AFII CRM database


Indicators of success

• Direct interactions with AOs and AMs including bank DCM’s on AFII research

• 1-2 speaking engagements per quarter; Attendance to at least 1 event per quarter.


Internal

  • Participate in and contribute to weekly meetings
  • Regular reporting on all areas listed above
  • Other relevant duties and projects as assigned
  • Stay ahead of the curve on AFII’s research and core competencies
  • Actively input into the development of AFII’s strategy
  • Oversight and support to junior staff assigned to lead
  • Ensure quality in delivery as a line manager, set best example on AFII standards
  • Support the development of reporting lines


Indicators of success

• Regular communication in team meetings and bilateral interactions.

• Strong feedback from team members


Offer

  • Salary range: £90,000 - £100,000
  • 30 days holiday, plus bank holidays
  • Flexible working
  • Dynamic and supportive team culture