Senior Communications Officer, 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 200 people, plus over 100 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.

The position is based within the IISD Energy Program (www.iisd.org/energy), a diverse and dynamic team of more than 30 experts based in IISD’s Geneva, Winnipeg, and Ottawa offices as well as remotely in India, Indonesia, South Africa, and other countries.

About the Position

The Senior Communications Officer, Canada Energy Transitions, will lead communications for the Re-Energizing Canada project, which aims to shine a light on practical strategies for Canada to mitigate the risk of stranded assets, maintain economic stability, and protect Canadian workers and communities while facilitating the transition away from oil and gas production and toward secure, affordable, and reliable clean energy. They will also communicate about related topics, including fossil fuel subsidy reform, sustainable finance, just transition, and the oil and gas emissions cap in Canada.

As a member of the wider Energy Program communications team, they will work closely with the Communications Assistant, Canada Energy Transitions, Communications Manager as well as the program’s Canada-focused policy experts.

The Senior Communications Officer will be responsible for implementing and updating the Re-Energizing Canada project’s communications strategy and communications-related elements of the broader Canada Energy Transitions strategy, advising the team on communications best practices, as well as coordinating work with internal and external partners and agencies. They will write and edit editorial content related to the work of the program and strategically use digital channels and tools to reach and engage target audiences, working closely with the Communications Assistant.

Their key areas of responsibility will include but not be limited to:

Creative Content

• Inform, steer, and implement the communications strategy for the Re-Energizing Canada project and related work. This includes cooperating with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring timelines are adhered to, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting on impact.
• Inform, manage, and implement communications plans for individual research outputs, campaigns, and events from the Canada Energy Transitions team.
• Review written outputs (e.g., blogs, opinion pieces, press releases) for framing, tone, and narrative, ensuring strategic and editorial consistency.
• Regularly share program work and collaborate with IISD’s core communications team to ensure alignment on key messaging and amplification of programmatic expertise in broader, organization-wide communications activities. Contribute to a shared editorial calendar.
• Communicate with IISD’s donors to show how their support has made an impact.
• Track current events related to specific workstreams and communicate these to colleagues, identifying opportunities for further work and/or public engagement.

Public Engagement and Social Media

• Help inform and execute an email outreach strategy.
• Oversee event-related outreach and post-event follow-up.
• Inform the social media strategy and contribute to all active social media accounts, ensuring posts are relevant, timely, engaging, and targeted to the needs and interests of key audiences.

Media Relations

• Develop and implement proactive and reactive media relations strategies for the Re-Energizing Canada project.
• Engage with journalists and influencers, with a focus on relationship-building, to secure targeted coverage for IISD research and initiatives in key outlets. Build media lists; maintain and update databases of media contacts.
• Draft, edit, and disseminate press releases, media briefings, and email pitches for reporters and editors. Draft or support other staff in writing and placing op-eds, letters to the editor, etc.
• Facilitate media training for IISD experts and support preparation ahead of speaking to the press, including developing and updating talking points and key messages.
• Ensure media monitoring of relevant topics in Canadian media on a regular basis.

Digital Strategy

• Refine and implement the project’s digital marketing strategy to maximize growth and engagement among target audiences on IISD channels and beyond.
• Working within content management systems such as Drupal or WordPress, upload and edit content for websites if needed.
• Ensure monitoring, assessment, and reporting on website traffic and engagement with its digital content, advising where appropriate on opportunities to improve.
• Working with designers and video producers, manage the production of digital content, including Twitter cards, posters, invitations, and infographics.

Internal Processes

• Manage the Communications Assistant, Canada Energy Transitions
• Manage internal processes related to the development and dissemination of communications products

About the Successful Applicant

The successful applicant will be a highly skilled communicator experienced in media relations and working with external partners and opinion leaders. They will have a proven track record of generating media impact. They will be confident in shaping communication strategies to reach and engage niche and highly targeted audiences. Experience in climate or energy-related communications will be considered a strong asset.

The successful applicant will also have the following qualifications:

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., communications, journalism, political science, economics, environmental or development studies, etc.).
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in journalism or communications.
• Excellent oral and writing skills in English and a track record of written products in English. The ability to work (read, write, speak) in French will be considered an advantage.
• Extensive experience in media relations in Canada.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize and work quickly and accurately while being results-focused, with the flexibility to take on both highly complex and basic tasks.
• A strong ability to work comfortably across different cultures and be inclusive and positive with different colleagues.
• Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications and experience in handling web-based communications and management systems, including WordPress, Drupal, Mailchimp, and Google Analytics.

Location: Winnipeg or remote, Canada

Starting Salary: $53,918 - $64,659

**Employment Type:  Full Time (**Would consider part time, if desired); 2-year contract, with potential to become indefinite.

Application deadline:  May 14, 2023, 11:59 p.m. EST or until filled.

Start date: Immediate opportunity.

Application procedure: Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR. Please only apply to one posting, as this job is posted in multiple cities.

Please include the following:

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

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

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.