BankTrack is looking for a Banks and Steel Campaigner (32 hpw)

BankTrack is the international tracking, campaigning and NGO support organisation targeting private sector, commercial banks and the activities they finance. Our mission is to challenge banks globally to act urgently and decisively on preventing catastrophic climate change, protecting nature, and ending human rights violations. We are based in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, but work with partners the world over.

The primary aim of BankTrack’s Banks and Steel project is to commit commercial banks globally to financing a just transition towards fossil-free steel, starting with an end to finance for the expansion of coal-based steel, and metallurgical coal mining.

Since launching this project in February 2023, BankTrack has contributed to reports on the largest bank financiers of the steel and metallurgical coal industries, tracked the steel decarbonisation targets of over 60+ banks, and published and campaigned on several Dodgy Deals in the global steel manufacturing, and coal mining sectors.

We are now looking for a campaigner that will work closely with the project lead to strengthen and grow the Banks and Steel project.

Responsibilities:

Together with our project lead on banks and steel, It will be your responsibility to:

• Map bank financing for the metallurgical coal and steel industries globally, and present findings on our website.
• Analyse bank policies and commitments governing metallurgical coal and steel finance, including financial sector initiatives focused on steel (such as the Sustainable Steel Principles, and the Net Zero Banking Alliance), and present findings on our website.
• Engage with banks and bank initiatives on decarbonisation plans and finance strategies for the steel sector.
• Investigate the climate, environmental, health and community impacts of specific (planned) metallurgical coal mines and steel production sites; present findings on our website in the form of ‘Dodgy Deal profiles’
• Collaborate with and support civil society partners globally, by bringing a finance angle to campaigns to decarbonise the steel industry and campaigns aimed at ending local health, community and environmental impacts of steel production.
• Use our communication channels, including the BankTrack newsletter and social media channels, to engage relevant audiences on the role of banks in decarbonizing the steel industry.
• Support regular reporting to our funder on progress with the project, help prepare a follow-up funding application.

Requirements:

Our ideal candidate:

• Has at least 2 years of relevant work experience, preferably in a campaigning organisation.
• Has, or is able to quickly develop, a good understanding of the intricacies of the global steel industry, steel production processes and technological developments in the sector.
• Has a good understanding of the global climate crisis, its causes and impact.
• Has a good understanding of commercial banks and their potential leverage over industry clients.
• Has experience in working with civil society organisations, activists, grassroot groups, media, and other stakeholders.
• Has experience in lobbying and advocacy, preferably in banking or climate policy.
• Has proven skills and experience in organising and developing public pressure campaigns targeting business (not necessarily banks).
• Has proven research and analytical skills, for example in analysing sustainability policies of banks, or analysing the social, environmental, and human rights impacts of bank financed projects and companies.
• Is fluent in English, both speaking and writing, with knowledge of other languages (especially Japanese) a plus.
• Has a good working knowledge of the main frameworks governing responsibilities of business to respect human rights and nature (e.g. UN Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines) and relevant international human rights treaties, including those related to labour and Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

In addition, you:

• Are enthusiastic, practically minded, and good-humoured, and combine an activist mindset with a professional work attitude and a desire to ‘get the job done’.
• Are analytically minded, with an eye for detail, and feel comfortable dealing with large datasets.
• Are a team player within our team, but also easily connect with our wide range of work partners from all over the world.
• Take initiative, can work independently and under time pressure when needed.

We fully understand that even the most ideal candidate may not possess all the qualifications above, so do not be discouraged to apply if you lack some of them. The application form will allow you to elaborate on your knowledge and skills.

We offer:

• An exciting opportunity to help expand an emerging field of work on ‘banks and steel’, but well-connected to our work on climate, nature, and human rights.
• A role within a well-known, internationally focused organisation that over 20+ years has proven itself capable of bringing effective change to the global banking sector.
• A contract of 32 hours per week, with flexible working hours, working remote
• An initial contract for 9-10 months until end 2025, depending on starting date, but with good prospects of extension if the project is implemented to the satisfaction of the funder.
• Salary range indication: gross wage 3100-3,500 euro per month, this on a full-time basis (36 hpw), depending on previous experience and skills.
• Additional 8% annual holiday allowance.
• Inclusion in our pension scheme and other fringe benefits (if employed under a Dutch contract).
• Training and travel opportunities.

Location and team

As our ‘banks and steel’ campaigner, you will report to our Banks and Steel project lead, Julia Hovenier.

BankTrack is based in the Netherlands. Ideally, you are also based in the Netherlands, so you can join us in sometimes coworking and attend in person meetings. It would also be possible for you to work from elsewhere in the European Union or from the United Kingdom, provided we can make the necessary financial and employment arrangements, and you can travel to the Netherlands two to four times a year.

Interested? Here’s how to apply

The deadline to apply is the end of business, January 6th, 2025. Job interviews are scheduled for the week of January 13th, 2025, with the position starting as soon as possible thereafter, but not later than March 1, 2025.

To apply for this position, please proceed to this form and fill in all required fields. Also attach a recent CV. Note that other forms of applying will not be accepted. Further, written enquiries on the position can be directed to julia@banktrack.org.

Important: in the Netherlands, BankTrack can only employ citizens of the European Union, or non-EU citizens already residing in the Netherlands and already in possession of a valid work permit. In the UK, BankTrack can only employ citizens of the UK or others already in possession of a valid work permit. In the rest of the European Union, employment is on a consultant basis. Please refrain from applying if you are not in these categories.

BankTrack actively seeks to strengthen the diversity within our current team. Candidates that will strengthen this diversity, whether through race, nationality, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or class, are therefore strongly encouraged to apply.

BankTrack - Vismarkt 15

6511 VJ  Nijmegen, the Netherlands

www.banktrack.org

This job description can also be found here.