Working with IIED

Who are we and what do we do?

IIED is a policy and action research organisation. We promote sustainable development to improve livelihoods and protect the environments on which these livelihoods are built. We specialise in linking local priorities to global challenges. IIED is based in London and works in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the Pacific, with some of the world's most vulnerable people. We work with them to strengthen their voice in the decision-making arenas that affect them – from village councils to international conventions.

Find out more on our About pages and latest annual review.

Where are we?

Based in Central London with an additional small office in Edinburgh.

How big are we?

IIED currently has around 140 members of staff from a wide range of countries and backgrounds, and is continuing to grow. See our staff list for details. In addition, we host a number of associates and interns each year.

Benefits

At IIED we offer a number of additional benefits to staff. These include:

  • A competitive salary for the sector, with annual cost-of-living-awards and incremental increases. We have also committed to paying the Living Wage
  • Twenty-five days' annual leave per year, increasing by one day for every completed two years' service – up to 30 days for full-time staff with 10 years' service
  • Three days paid time off during office closure at the end of every December
  • An employer's pension contribution of 7.5% to the IIED pension scheme, with the option to make an employee contribution
  • An employee protection scheme offering a flexible menu of benefits such as life insurance, spouse and partner life cover, critical illness and/or income protection cover
  • An interest-free season-ticket loan (subject to eligibility)
  • A cycle-to-work scheme offering tax savings on the cost of purchasing a bike for travel to/from work (subject to eligibility)
  • An employee assistance programme providing work, personal and wellbeing support through a confidential helpline and online resources
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption policies for eligible employees after a qualifying period
  • Enhanced sick pay entitlements, increasing with length of service
  • A range of flexible working options for all employees after a qualifying period including home working, part-time work, compressed hours and temporary working outside the UK subject to manager approval 
  • Support for learning and development through individual training allowance, attractive study leave and sabbatical policies, after a qualifying period 
  • Support with relocation costs and visa sponsorship for staff joining IIED from outside the United Kingdom, for specific roles (subject to eligibility)
  • Compassionate leave of up to 10 days per year
  • Dependents leave of up to two days per incident, with a maximum of five days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees) 
  • Eye tests up to £25/year
  • Glasses/lenses up to £80/year, if glasses are prescribed for work-related activity 
  • Therapy treatment: where there is a waiting period before treatment is available on the National Health Service, IIED will pay for private treatment sessions up to a limit of £200 over a period of five years’ service with the institute. Employees cannot accrue this benefit; the limit is £200 for each five-year period. Such sessions may be to speed physical recovery (for example, physiotherapy, osteopathy) or help with stress or depression-related conditions

We also have a range of activities and social events to promote health and wellbeing, and to help staff enjoy a healthy and cohesive work environment.

Paying the living wage

Logo comprising blue, yellow and orange overlapping circles, stating "We are a living wage employer"

By paying the Living Wage, IIED is voluntarily taking a stand to ensure our employees earn a wage that is enough to live on. This is just one part of our commitment to recruit, develop and retain a diverse range of talent.

Disability confident

Logo with text "Disability confident committed"

As a certified Disability Confident Committed employer, IIED has publicly committed to a range of measures, including ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible, offering interviews to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job, anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments and supporting any employee who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

Further reading