Consultant - ENB Writers

About

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank working to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resource management, and fair economies. Our work inspires better decisions and sparks meaningful action to help people and the planet thrive. We shine a light on what can be achieved when governments, businesses, non-profits, and communities come together. IISD’s staff of more than 200 people come from across the globe and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, our work affects lives in more than 100 countries.

IISD’s Tracking Progress Program leads the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) reporting project, which brings independent reporting services to countries’ efforts to negotiate environmental action. We are recruiting new writers for our team of freelance consultants (the “ENB team”) who write and edit the Earth Negotiations Bulletin. For more information on this publication, visit https://enb.iisd.org/.

Scope

ENB team members have the opportunity to observe multilateral negotiations first-hand. Consulting with ENB is well suited for individuals who enjoy collaborative, fast-paced, and intellectually challenging work in a multicultural environment. IISD seeks candidates who can demonstrate they share a high passion for political transparency and commitment to good environmental and sustainable development governance.

ENB team members should be prepared to:

• Collaborate and work collegially within small teams of ENB writers to write daily summaries and summary reports during selected multilateral environmental negotiations.
• Develop expertise on multilateral environmental agreement (MEA) process(es) and share information within the ENB team on developments related to the process(es).
• Attend at least three ENB meetings per year, as mutually agreed.

Knowledge and Qualifications

Applicants should:

• Be in the early stages of or about to begin a Ph.D. program, hold a Ph.D. or LL.M degree, or have at least 5 years of UN environment or sustainable development policy experience (working, lobbying, or negotiating in the UN system);
• Have worked, published, or undertaken academic research on one or more of the MEAs covered by Earth Negotiations Bulletin;
• Demonstrate complete fluency in understanding and speaking English and have recent experience in writing in English. Strong written and conversational language skills in one other UN language are a plus;
• Have a good understanding of multilateral negotiations and the UN system;
• Work well in small, highly collaborative groups;
• Have the flexibility to travel to international meetings for periods of up to 3 weeks at a time;
• Be available for at least three assignments per year;
• Be able to type well enough to take legible verbatim notes; and
• Have a laptop computer.

Please note that work on the Earth Negotiations Bulletin requires long hours, including on weekends, often in small offices with other members of an international team. All applicants should be able to work well in small group situations, handle stress well, and show the highest respect for co-workers while completing meticulous, time-sensitive work.

IISD is an international non-governmental organization. Qualified applicants from all countries are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will be hired on a consulting basis for meetings held in locations all over the world. We do not relocate or provide work permits for consultants who are successful candidates for these freelance positions.

Candidates should demonstrate how freelance work with the ENB team will fit into their other work or studies.

Deadline of Application: January 28, 2024

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for locations where they expect to be based.

Qualified applicants from all countries are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will be hired on a consulting basis for meetings held in locations all over the world. We do not relocate or provide work permits for consultants who are successful candidates for these freelance positions.

Application Procedure:

All submissions must be in English.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR.

Applicants should submit a copy of their resume (curriculum vitae), together with a cover letter detailing how they meet the requirements set out above, together with details of two professional referees. Applicants should detail their language abilities and fully articulate their depth of background and experience in multilateral negotiations.

Because of the large number of applicants expected, we will only contact those who will be moved to the next stage in the recruitment process.

ENB writers are paid an honorarium that is scaled according to experience on ENB teams. IISD reimburses all business-related and travel expenses incurred while attending meetings.

Each successful candidate will participate in an in-person training and trial meeting before officially joining the ENB team.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants' advice on how best to accommodate their needs.

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

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Keywords

ConsultantENB WritersSustainable DevelopmentEnvironmental ActionMultilateral NegotiationsUN SystemLanguage AbilitiesMulticultural EnvironmentEquity and Inclusion