Program Assistant, Energy and Freshwater

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 experts 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.

Program Descriptions

IISD’s Canada Energy team works to shape climate and energy policy in Canada and Manitoba. Through research and engagement, their work shines a light on practical strategies for Canada to mitigate climate impacts and protect workers and communities by facilitating the transition away from oil and gas production and toward secure, affordable, and reliable clean energy.

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) is one of the world’s most influential freshwater research facilities. It features a collection of 58 small lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada. For over 50 years, scientists at the ELA have conducted whole-ecosystem experiments and made significant scientific discoveries related to issues such as acid rain, mercury from air pollution, algae blooms, and pharmaceutical chemicals in water. IISD-ELA’s Education and Outreach program is working to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous individuals and communities in Treaty #1, #3 and #5.

Specific

The Program Assistant will work to support ongoing projects of the Canada Energy and IISD-ELA teams. Under the direction of both the ELA and Energy programs, the Program Assistant will help coordinate activities and communications with Indigenous communities and support projects through research assistance, partner outreach, science communications, and general project management.

Indigenous people will be given first consideration for this competition. Applicants are requested to self-declare at the time of application.

In particular, the Program Assistant will be responsible for the following:

Research

• Conducting research on clean energy and energy transition projects with close guidance and support.
• Engaging with partner Indigenous communities and organizations on research projects.
• Supporting the drafting of research briefs, blogs, and other project outputs.
• Providing general support, including communicating with individuals and communities as needed.

Outreach

• Supporting the coordination of and participating in outreach activities with Indigenous communities and organizations in Treaty 1 and 3 territories.
• Supporting the development of content and materials to be used for relevant projects.
• Helping to create and deliver presentations to the Indigenous communities around the IISD-ELA as needed.

Communications

• Supporting the development of a communication and relation plan for IISD-ELA.
• Working with IISD Communications staff on public engagement materials related to water and energy research outputs as needed.
• Communicating news and information from IISD-ELA through the use of various social media platforms, if applicable.

Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum Grade 12 diploma or equivalent.

• Must possess a valid driver’s licence.

• Basic computer skills and experience with administrative tasks and software.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Ability to work independently, with limited supervision.

• Ability to manage time effectively and multitask.

• Ability to speak Ojibwe and/or other Indigenous languages is considered an asset.

Location: Applicants must be able to attend community events in Treaty 1 areas (Winnipeg and areas up to 120 km from Winnipeg) and Treaty 3 areas (Northwestern Ontario and Southeastern Manitoba).

Salary: CAD 35,000–45,000, based on experience and location

Start date: As soon as possible

Closing date: January 31, 2024. Recruitment will be on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR.

• A CV (no longer than two pages)
• A one-page letter of motivation
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.

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 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. 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.

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.