Research Lead - Social Insights

Polska z Natury (PzN) is a non-profit organisation promoting the preservation of Poland’s cultural and natural heritage and the responsible stewardship of its environment from a conservative perspective. We partner with locally-rooted associations and civic organisations, engaging the civic-minded, centre-right electorate, and supporting a bottom-up approach to solutions reflecting traditional values, strong attachment to place, family, and nation. Our Common Home (OCH) is a network of local entities  including PzN, that promotes civic participation of everyone in society to build solutions to our changing natural environment.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced Research Lead to deliver high-impact research in Poland and provide advisory support across our global network. You’ll be embedded in the Polska z Natury team while also contributing to other research projects of the Our Common Home network.

Research is central to how we work. It not only provides data-driven insights that shape our strategies and campaigns, but also helps us deeply understand audiences—particularly those left out of the climate debate. By segmenting audiences based on their values and worldviews rather than demographics, we design approaches that are relevant, resonant, and durable. Research enhances our credibility with stakeholders and funders, fuels creativity, and ensures our campaigns are evidence-based, impactful, and measurable.

In this role, you will lead research that shapes national strategy and campaigns in Poland while also supporting the broader OCH network by providing guidance on research design, methodological choices, and capacity building. You will also provide advisory and coaching support to strategic and campaigning teams, helping them frame research aims, questions, and designs that strengthen campaigns and strategies.

This is both a hands-on and strategic role: you’ll run rigorous mixed-method research, mentor colleagues, manage vendors, and help teams translate complex findings into actionable insights. Your work will directly inform campaign strategy, strengthen credibility with stakeholders, and build consensus on civic and environmental priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Research and Advisory

Shape and align local research projects to inform OCH/PzN national strategies.

Lead design and execution of research projects from inception to delivery.

Conduct desk research and review existing studies and publicly available data.

Design and refine complex data collection tools (questionnaires, interview guides, focus group guides) and apply suitable sampling designs.

Analyse quantitative and qualitative data to uncover patterns, trends, and actionable insights.

Provide advisory and coaching support to strategic and campaigning teams, mentor colleagues, and act as a technical advisor on methodology and study design.

Reporting and Communication

Synthesize complex findings into clear, actionable insights and compelling stories.

Develop engaging visualisations, structured reports, and presentations to communicate findings effectively.

Project and Vendor Management

Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, breaking down large research projects into tasks and deliverables, and take full ownership for efficiency, accountability, and impact.

Foster collaboration and communication across team members, partners, and advisors.

Identify and onboard suitable vendors across geographies. Draft briefs, negotiate contracts, manage relationships, and ensure quality, compliance, and effective vendor processes.

What We’re Looking For 

6–8 years of experience in market or social research, ideally in political, social psychology, or behavioural studies.

Experience with complex, mixed-method, and/or cross-country projects.

Advanced quantitative skills (survey design, sampling) and qualitative skills (interviews, focus groups, analysis).

Strong analytical and data literacy; familiarity with SPSS, R, or similar (preferred).

Skilled in data visualisation and storytelling for technical and non-technical audiences.

Proven ability to manage multiple projects and vendors simultaneously.

Experience mentoring or coaching colleagues in research design and application.

Experience with audience segmentation studies is a plus.

Strategic thinker with interest in politics, society, environment, and the economy.

Fluency in Polish and strong English.

Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field.

What We Offer

UoP Contract or B2B

Remote work with occasional team meetings