European Research & Policy Lead

ABOUT PURPOSE

We are Purpose, the global social impact agency. 

We use creative storytelling and campaigns to shift narratives, spark movements and drive change. Partnering with philanthropies, brands and NGOs to inspire people to reimagine the world, and to harness their power to make it happen. 

Our movement-building, culture-changing, participatory projects have delivered real impact with our world leading partners since 2009. And as we’ve grown, our connections around the world have grown too. Yet we’ve never lost sight of what matters, collaborating with underrepresented audiences, impacted communities and unexpected allies, to tackle tomorrow’s biggest problems today

Purpose specializes in; strategy, creative, campaigns, and impact measurement and learning - across the social impact space. 

We focus on six issue areas we believe are key to our collective future: environment and climate, equity, childhood and youth, democracy and human rights, mis- and disinformation, public health. Join the team that makes all this work!

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a research specialist to coordinate the European scope across the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland.

In this role, you will analyze the policy and built environment landscape across these three focus countries, conduct key stakeholder interviews, and provide structured regional input into broader global syntheses and strategy sessions. While global synthesis and primary report authorship will sit with partner leads, your contributions will ensure that European policy nuances, national discourse, and narrative opportunities are accurately captured.

Position Type	Fixed-term contractor / Deliverables-based
Duration	3 months (November 2026 - January 2027) with possibility of extension.
Location	Fully Remote (Candidates based in the UK, Germany, or Poland preferred).
Compensation	€ 7,000-9,000 depending on experience.
Reports to	Project Lead.

Core Responsibilities & Deliverables

1. European Narrative, Policy & Literature Review

• Gather, review, and synthesize existing literature, policy frameworks, and market evidence across the built environment and adjacent sectors in the UK, Germany, and Poland.
• Review materials and evidence shared by key partners to ensure the assessment builds upon existing insights rather than duplicating past work.
• Assess the assumptions, themes, and propositions in the initiative’s foundational working paper on public and political demand through a European lens.
• Provide contextual input on regional organizations and keyword framing to inform the project's social listening process.
• Author the regional sections (covering the UK, Germany, and Poland) for the comprehensive Narrative Gap and Power Analysis Report.

2. Regional Ecosystem Interviews

• Identify, schedule, and conduct 7 to 8 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders across the UK, Germany, and Poland (including policymakers, industry actors, researchers, and civil society representatives).
• Conduct discussions on ecosystem gaps, readiness levels, and the potential value added by coordinated sector interventions.
• Produce clear interview summaries, synthesis notes, and clean transcripts/recordings (where participant consent is provided).

3. Collaborative Strategy & Strategic Direction Development

• Participate actively as a regional subject matter contributor in a 2.5-hour online co-creation workshop alongside the wider project team and external ecosystem actors.
• Help evaluate indicative strategic directions, assessing how each aligns with European realities and the initiative's core drivers (Electrification, Efficiency, Resilience, and Equity).
• Review and supply regional commentary for the final Inception Note draft compiled by the project writing team.

ABOUT YOU 

We evaluate applicants based on demonstrated capabilities rather than formal academic credentials or degrees. We encourage you to apply if you bring:

• Regional Sector Knowledge: Understanding of the built environment, climate transition, urban planning, or energy policy landscapes within the UK, Germany, and/or Poland.
• Research & Analytical Capability: Experience carrying out qualitative research, reviewing secondary literature, synthesizing complex policy or ecosystem data, and mapping power dynamics.
• Interview Experience: Demonstrated comfort conducting semi-structured stakeholder interviews across policy, civil society, or industry networks.
• Collaborative Communication: Comfort exchanging constructive feedback within multi-disciplinary teams and delivering written inputs according to scheduled milestones.
• Language Proficiency: Professional proficiency in written and spoken English is required, as cross-team coordination and documentation take place in English. English does not need to be your primary or first language. Working proficiency in German and/or Polish is an advantage, but not essential. 

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS & ACCESSIBILITY

• Workplace Flexibility: This role is entirely remote. You will determine your own working hours, provided you can accommodate scheduled interviews, attend key team checkpoints, and meet contract milestones.
• Accessibility: We are committed to inclusive working environments. If you require any adaptations, assistive tools, or flexibility during the application process or throughout the contract, please let us know. We welcome and accommodate applicants with visible and invisible disabilities.

Purpose takes on some of the biggest challenges in the world, which affect people of different identities and backgrounds in different ways. We are stronger and most effective with a diverse team leading the charge and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome the unique contributions that individuals bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, orientation, and beliefs.