Senior Policy Advisor, Global Mining Tax Initiative

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 120 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.

Scope

IISD hosts the Secretariat to the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Metals, Minerals and Sustainable Development (IGF). The Senior Policy Advisor will support the work of the IGF Secretariat, specifically the Global Mining Tax Initiative. The initiative builds on the IGF’s BEPS in Mining Program. It provides guidance to governments on all aspects of mining fiscal policy and administration, technical assistance to strengthen mining revenue collection, and support to members to influence global and regional debates on mining and international taxation.

The successful candidate will lead the development of cutting-edge research and practical guidance for governments on mining tax issues, as well as contribute to the delivery of technical assistance programs with governments in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia. They will work closely with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the African Tax Administration Forum, the Inter-American Centre for Tax Administrations, the Asian Development Bank, and the United Nations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the research pillar of the Global Mining Tax Initiative.
• Contributing to the delivery of technical assistance for governments.
• Representing the initiative in various public forums.
• Maintaining and building a network of contacts, stakeholders, and partners of the program.
• Supporting fundraising efforts.
• Carrying out monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for all aspects of the research pillar.
• Supporting the professional development of direct reports and other members of the team.

Detailed responsibilities:

Strategy, Vision, and Team Leadership

• Refine and develop the research and knowledge agenda of the Global Mining Tax Initiative.
• Identify new challenges and emerging issues on which to provide timely, relevant guidance for governments and other stakeholders (e.g., the global minimum tax, supply-chain disruptions, debt crisis, etc.)
• Contribute to the overall strategy and vision of the initiative.
• Manage own and direct reports’ time and inputs to deliver outputs on time and to budget.
• Within all projects and more widely, promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to excellence.

Research and Knowledge Products

• Oversee the delivery of all research and knowledge products.
• Develop and manage research partnerships and networks with individuals and organizations.
• Conduct primary and secondary research, as well as write high-quality knowledge products.
• Review and manage the research and written work of other team members and contractors.
• Keep up to date regarding emerging issues related to the initiative.
• Prepare, present, and communicate high-quality research findings to a variety of audiences.

Convening and Outreach

• Oversee the development and implementation of a strategy to support IGF members to influence international and regional decisions affecting mining and international taxation. This could include providing regular updates on key decision-making processes and developments, organizing experience-sharing and capacity-building events, and providing opportunities to interact with non-government stakeholders.
• Lead the organization and documentation of related webinars, meetings, and public consultations as required.
• Assist in communicating the work of the program and its components to a broader audience, including attendance at physical and virtual events.
• Assist with the maintenance of IISD’s institutional presence, including the maintenance of relationships within the government, academia, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

Technical Assistance

• Lead/support the design and delivery of one or two deep-dive government technical assistance programs. “Deep-dive” programs involve the long-term, integrated support of mining taxation based on a thorough understanding of the country context, the local mining sector, and the government’s objectives and capacities.
• Review, manage, and contribute to technical assistance outputs of other team members and contractors related to deep-dive programs.
• Contribute to short-term government advisory work and capacity building where required.

Fundraising

• Participate in fundraising efforts for the initiative, including by contributing to written proposals for funding and other business development materials.
• Identify and pursue fundraising opportunities based on existing work or new ideas.

Operations and Program Management

• Coordinate the design and implementation of evaluation and reporting frameworks and tools together with the project management team.
• Evaluate and report on all research and convening activities.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

Knowledge and Qualifications

• A degree and post-graduate university degree or equivalent in taxation, economics, business, accounting, law, or a professional qualification in other relevant areas of public policy.

• 8–10 years of professional experience in the field of mining taxation gained in a national government, the private sector, or an international or non-governmental organization.

• Excellent research and writing skills, including proven experience conducting applied research and policy analysis in the area of mining taxation (or similar areas).

• Experience in designing and leading government technical assistance programs on mining/international taxation and explaining unfamiliar concepts to groups clearly and with impact.

• Experience managing a team and/or external consultants to deliver work.

• Knowledge of mining industry BEPS issues and implementing responses to combat BEPS.

• Good knowledge of international taxation, including transfer pricing, is a requirement.

• Experience conducting missions for developing countries in the area of mining taxation.

• Knowledge of hydrocarbons would be an asset.

Skills, Competencies, and Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

• Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills in English.

• French and/or Spanish language skills are highly desirable.

• Strong presentation and networking skills.

• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft programs such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally for work.

• Ability to work effectively in a remote, asynchronous team.

• Flexibility and adaptability to work effectively across different topics and themes at the same time and to pick up knowledge on new topics quickly.

• Ability to work on own initiative and under minimal supervision.

• Strong commitment to the ideals, values, and mission of IISD.

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

Location: Ottawa or Toronto preferred. Exceptional candidates elsewhere will also be considered.

Salary: CAD 85,000-90,000 (commensurate with experience)

Employment type: Full-time position, one-year contract, with possibility of indefinite renewal.

Start Date:  ASAP

Closing date:  Open until filled

The candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will be closed once filled.

Candidates must submit a cover note (one-page maximum) outlining their interest in the role and why they are suitable. They may be required to provide references and a piece of written work on request. This written work should be on a topic relating to tax and extractive industries (e.g., a research report or policy brief).

Selected candidates will be interviewed by IISD/IGF and may be required to submit a written test.

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

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 (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 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.