Policy Advisor, Canada Energy Transitions

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 150 people, plus over 150 associates and consultants, come from across the globe and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries.

About the Position

The Policy Advisor, Canada Energy Transitions, will support our Canadian stream of work under IISD’s Energy Program (www.iisd.org/energy). The Canada Energy Transitions team is focused on supporting broader efforts to shift Canadian governments’ policy to enable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy while leaving no one behind. We are a dynamic and growing team that works with a wide range of domestic partners, including think tanks, environmental non-governmental organizations, governments, as well as international organizations and forums. The Policy Advisor will be actively involved in IISD Energy’s network of collaborations with other research and civil society organizations.

The position is based within the IISD Energy Program (www.iisd.org/energy), a diverse team of over 40 experts based in the IISD’s Geneva, Winnipeg, and Ottawa offices as well as remotely in India, Indonesia, South Africa, and other countries. We deliver cutting-edge research and practical policy support for energy and climate policy reforms in developed and developing countries. Our approach is hands-on through country-level research and outreach as well as via international forums such as the G20 and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

This position is a research-focused position. The successful candidate’s key areas of responsibility will include but not be limited to:

• Collaborating with IISD staff to design, develop, and implement research on energy transitions (including oil and gas transition, renewable energy, and energy pathways) and overall climate change mitigation strategies in the Canadian context.

• Supporting the delivery of primary and secondary quantitative and qualitative research. This entails contributing to or leading on reports, policy briefs, and other outputs for the program, and collaborating with a team of staff, consultants, and interns working on the same projects.

• Working with and helping to strengthen IISD’s network of allies working on energy and climate issues in Canada and internationally. Promoting IISD research to support other organizations’ research and ultimate policy change.

• Presenting and communicating IISD’s work to a variety of audiences, including government officials and other international and non-governmental organizations as needed, in collaboration with senior colleagues.

• Liaising with other organizations that are IISD’s strategic research and engagement partners, understanding gaps and potential future research opportunities and strategic partnerships, and cultivating relationships with partners.

About the Successful Applicant

The successful applicant will have expertise in research and analysis of policies on topics such as climate and energy, sustainable development, fiscal and public finance issues, or Canadian federal policy. They will be confident developing and applying methodologies for policy analysis both themselves and with a team of other policy staff, while having mentors and senior team members they can rely on and work with.

The experience and qualifications below indicate what will be needed to succeed in the position. We understand candidates may not have all of the following; if you possess 75% or more of the qualifications listed as “Essential,” we encourage you to apply.

Essential

• A minimum of a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., climate change, environmental or energy policy, economics, international relations, political science, interdisciplinary studies, etc.). Candidates without a master’s degree may also be considered if they can demonstrate an equivalent amount of expertise gained through direct professional experience.

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in one or several of the following areas in Canada and/or internationally: policy research, climate and energy policy, just transition, circular economy, green economies, renewable energy, sustainable development, sustainable finance.

• Strong experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods for policy analysis.

• Fluent English, with demonstrated excellent writing skills. Ability to work (read, write, speak) in French will be considered a strong advantage.

• A demonstrated understanding of the policy-making and environment Understanding of climate and energy policy-making processes, particularly in Canada (federally, provincially and/or territorially) and key international forums (e.g., United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).

• Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to think critically and learn quickly. Strong attention to detail.

• Excellent organizational and planning skills.

• A “can-do” work attitude and ability to work both independently and in different team roles, managing the workload and producing deliverables on time and within budget.

• Excellent team player with a strong ability to work comfortably across different cultures while being inclusive and positive with colleagues of different backgrounds.

Desired

• Understanding of key barriers and opportunities related to oil and gas transition and clean energy adoption in Canada.

• Understanding of the concepts of fiscal policies related to climate change mitigation including carbon pricing (taxation and emissions trading), sustainable finance, and fossil fuel subsidies.

• Experience locating, collecting, and analyzing data from government sources, public databases, and energy sector resources.

• Experience working with Canadian federal or provincial governments and with political actors.

• Confident and engaging communication skills, including an understanding of different communications approaches for different audiences.

• Resourceful and pragmatic approach to solving issues.

• Experience collaborating and engaging with different groups, such as federal and provincial government, international organizations, Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations, civil society organizations, the private sector, etc.

• Experience working across programs and topic areas using an interdisciplinary approach.

• Availability to travel within Canada and internationally when health conditions allow (no travel is expected to be required in the near term due to COVID-19).

• While the position is flexible (see below), a presence in Ottawa or the National Capital Region would be considered an advantage.

For more details on what we are looking for in our candidates, please refer to the IISD competencies on our website

Position Details

Location: This position is flexible for location within Canada with strong preference for location in Winnipeg or Ottawa. Current team members work primarily during regular business hours in eastern or central time zones. IISD has offices in downtown Winnipeg, Toronto, and Ottawa. Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

Starting Salary: CAD 60,000 to 70,000, depending on location and experience.

Type of Employment**:** 80%–100% full-time-equivalent staff position.

Application Deadline: September 3, 2022 by 10 pm EST. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Start Date: Immediate opportunity

Application Procedure

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR. Please include the following:

• A CV (no longer than two pages)
• A cover letter (one page)
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire
• All submissions must be in English.

Please note that due to the number of applications we receive, unfortunately, only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. We thank you for your interest in working with IISD Energy!

IISD has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy that requires employees who are required or choose to be at an office or participate in in-person team events or in-person meetings/events to be fully vaccinated. Anyone unable to be fully vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or a disability that prevents them from being fully vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.

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. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.