Policy Advisor - Maternity Cover

International Institute for Sustainable Development; Winnipeg; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading think tank focused on sustainable development is seeking a Policy Advisor for their Canada Energy Transitions program. The successful candidate will contribute to research and analysis regarding the energy transition in Canada. Responsibilities include managing projects, developing communication materials, and leading research efforts. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of relevant experience and a Master's degree in international development or a related field. This is a hybrid position based in Winnipeg, providing a competitive salary range.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in international or national policy analysis.
• Demonstrated involvement in sustainable development or energy transition issues.
• Strong analytical skills for primary and secondary research.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of research projects.
• Manage and execute research projects independently.
• Deliver research reports, policy briefs, and technical reports.

Skills

Policy Analysis

Research Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Education

Master’s degree in international development or related area

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

About IISD

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with three decades of experience working to solve the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise in a wide range of issues with a collaborative approach to research, policy advice, and hands‑on support to ensure these solutions are brought to life. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 professionals working from offices in Canada, Switzerland, and other locations around the world.

About the Position

IISD’s Canada Energy Transitions program provides research, analysis, and advice regarding the energy transition in Canada. This transition includes phasing out fossil fuels, phasing in renewable energy and electrification, protecting workers and communities, and reforming financial flows to support decarbonization.

As part of the Canada Energy Transitions team, the Policy Advisor contributes to the development, implementation, and reporting of research and outputs. The incumbent will work as part of the national and subnational workstreams, as required and with minimal supervision, to contribute to the delivery of projects and research.

Responsibilities

Strategy, vision, and team leadership

• Contribute to identifying challenges, emerging issues, and solutions.
• Promote a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and shared learning.
• Manage own time and inputs into projects to deliver research outputs on time and to budget.

Communications and Outreach

• Work with IISD’s Communications team to ensure development of relevant communications materials to communicate the work and its components to a broader audience.
• Represent projects and programs to clients and stakeholders.
• Represent projects and programs at forums, conferences, and public events.
• Maintain and identify new contacts with project partners.
• Develop, maintain, and deliver content relating to developments for online networks, including quarterly newsletter, webinars, and blogs.

Operations and Program Management

• Capable of independently managing and executing research projects that support current program initiatives in collaboration with IISD staff, affiliates, partners, and consultants.
• Set up and manage parts of projects as required, ensuring that delivery risks are highlighted and escalated as appropriate.
• Participate in project missions, arranging elements of the mission as appropriate.
• Manage the organization and documentation of webinars, meetings, and public consultations as required.

Research

• Lead the delivery of primary and secondary research required for the successful completion of projects, working with contractors as required.
• Deliver research and other project outputs to the required standard, including research reports, policy briefs, and technical reports. Ask for guidance and advice as required to ensure the successful delivery of outputs.
• Undertake research and assist in managing secured projects, focusing on technical rather than financial deliverables.
• Develop relationships and conduct stakeholder outreach related to national and subnational workstreams.
• Review existing legislative and policy environments, analyze financial and fiscal information on activities relating to the national and subnational workstreams.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5+ years of experience working in international, national, or provincial policy analysis and advice (e.g., a think tank, university, intergovernmental organization, or civil society organization) or policy-making (e.g., government), with demonstrated involvement in sustainable development, climate, or energy transition issues.
• A master’s degree, or equivalent combination of bachelor’s degree and work experience, in international development, environmental studies, or related area (e.g., economics, geology, international development, law, or policy).

Knowledge and Abilities

• Experience conducting primary and secondary research and strong analytical skills.
• Excellent research and writing skills, including proven experience designing and carrying out policy‑oriented research.
• Experience related to sustainable development, international development, and policy theory.
• Proficiency in qualitative or quantitative data analysis.
• Working fluency in English. Working capacity in French is considered an asset.

Skills (Essential)

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with an in‑person and virtual team and to take the initiative in advancing or leading projects with minimal supervision when needed.
• Ability to work independently to produce research, analysis, and writing that is “peer‑review ready” with a limited degree of oversight and editing.
• Excellent organizational, presentation, and planning skills.
• Strong communication skills—including an understanding of different communications approaches for various audiences; experience with different approaches to managing and conducting engagement with policy stakeholders and project partners—will be considered a strong advantage.
• Excellent computer skills, including using Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and automated referencing software.

Behavioural competencies (Essential)

• Confidence in working collaboratively with IISD staff, affiliates, partners, and consultants.
• An entrepreneurial approach to work, taking initiative within the team and ready to develop new skills, increase responsibility, and build experience in fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, managing workload and producing deliverables on time and within budget.
• Results‑focused with an ability to prioritize and work quickly and accurately over a range of tasks.

Location: Hybrid, Winnipeg, Canada

Salary: $60,000 – $75,000 CAD annually.

Term: 10‑month contract

Application deadline: Monday, January 5, 2026 at 4 PM CST

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for locations where they expect to be based without any sponsorship from IISD.

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English.

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 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.