Senior Policy Specialist

International Institute for Sustainable Development; Winnipeg; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sustainable development think tank in Winnipeg is seeking a Senior Policy Specialist for its Water Program. The role involves strategic oversight of the Natural Infrastructure for Water Solutions initiative, collaborating with partners, conducting water policy research, and managing multiple projects. Candidates should have a master's degree and significant experience in ecosystem management or related areas. The position offers a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and a dynamic team environment focused on sustainable development in Canada.

Benefits

Hybrid work model

Opportunities for professional development

Inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Minimum 8-10 years of work experience in ecosystem management or related fields.
• Fluent in written and spoken English; French is an asset.
• Good understanding of Canadian policy-making processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of key activities for the NIWS initiative.
• Conduct water policy research and engage stakeholders.
• Lead fundraising activities and maintain networks.

Skills

Natural infrastructure knowledge

Public policy expertise

Strategic thinking

Project management skills

Communication skills

Networking skills

Education

Master's degree in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

Job description

About IISD

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with 3 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.

IISD’s Water Program comprises freshwater scientists, engineers, and a multidisciplinary team of policy researchers who work with governments, civil society, communities, and businesses to enable effective policy and practice related to water for sustainable ecological and human benefits, while managing climate‑related risks. Additionally, our work on natural infrastructure focuses on natural and naturalized solutions to meet the water‑related needs and related co‑benefits in Canada and globally.

IISD’s Water Program leads the Natural Infrastructure for Water Solutions (NIWS) initiative, a multi‑year project helping to scale up natural infrastructure on Canada’s Prairies—for cleaner water and more resilient communities. This effort, spanning from 2022 to 2027, comprises research, convening, engaging key partners and driving policy and practice to advance natural infrastructure as a practical response to the water, infrastructure, biodiversity, and climate challenges facing the Canadian Prairies. We anticipate that elements of this effort will continue beyond the timeline of this project as ongoing efforts of the Water Program’s regional efforts.

The Position

IISD is currently looking for a Senior Policy Specialist for its Water Program. The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight and coordination support for IISD’s NIWS initiative and help grow IISD’s water policy efforts in Canada, based on broad priorities laid out in the Water Program Strategy and IISD’s Strategic Plan.

The successful candidate will coordinate the NIWS initiative, working closely with the NIWS director and senior project manager to guide day‑to‑day implementation, engaging partners, overseeing consultants, ensuring the timely delivery of activities while providing thought leadership and policy support, and helping to shape and communicate the initiative’s strategic direction and impact. In addition, this position will help develop and implement policy research and engagement on water issues of strategic importance in the Canadian context. The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team, working closely with other IISD staff and affiliates.

Responsibilities

Project coordination and implementation (40%)

• Work with the NIWS core team to oversee the delivery of key activities and day‑to‑day operations of the NIWS initiative and ensure alignment with overall program goals.
• Support the development and tracking of project work plans, milestones, and budgets, ensuring coherence across multiple workstreams.
• Provide updates internally and externally about project progress, potential barriers, and proposed solutions.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of the NIWS strategy, impact, and outcomes for the initiative.
• Contribute to the monitoring‑evaluation‑learning for the NIWS initiative, helping identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to ensure impact.
• Support the NIWS communications strategy, ensuring the delivery of key efforts to increase visibility, engagement, and impacts.
• Engage and work collaboratively with partners in government, research, and non‑governmental organizations, as well as with consultants.
• Support contracting and partner negotiations as needed.
• Convene, facilitate, contribute to, and report on workshops, meetings, dialogues, and other events of various sizes.
• Oversee the preparation of narrative and financial reports to funders in coordination with the senior project manager and Finance team.

Water Policy Research and Engagement (30%)

• Conduct targeted water policy research and engagement in Canada related to NIWS and IISD’s broader Water Program.
• Coordinate and contribute to water program activities related to the internal Water policy framework, building internal team capacity and impacts related to water outcomes.
• Contribute to the Water Program communications strategy.
• Collaborate with Water program team members, as well as IISD and IISD‑Experimental Lakes Area personnel, to identify water‑related policy and the development of new project ideas and proposals.

Fundraising and Partnerships (30%)

• Lead or contribute to the drafting of proposals and other business development materials that align with IISD’s strategic priorities.
• Find and pursue opportunities based on existing work or new ideas aligned with strategic priorities.
• Participate in fundraising activities for the program and meet reporting requirements.
• Establish and maintain a network related to natural infrastructure and water, including individuals from governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and academia.
• Represent IISD at national and international forums.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of natural infrastructure, water management, municipal infrastructure, and/or regional planning, as it pertains to the Canadian Prairies or its parts.
• Strong knowledge, expertise, and experience in public policy in Water or a related field.
• Strategic thinking, coordination, and engagement skills.
• Excellent writing skills and strong communication skills; capacity to communicate policy issues and research findings clearly and succinctly to different audiences via different platforms.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Analytical capacity and ability to become familiar with new topics quickly.
• Results‑focused with an ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and work quickly and accurately under tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills.
• A motivated self‑starter with the ability to work independently and to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications, and experience in handling web‑based communications and management systems.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field of the social or natural sciences (e.g., planning, geography, sociology, economics, ecology or related disciplines)
• A minimum of 8–10 years of relevant work experience in the field of ecosystem management, municipal planning, natural infrastructure, and/or conservation.
• Fluent in written and spoken English; ability to work (read, write, speak) in French would be considered an asset.
• Good understanding of Canadian policy‑making processes and public policies/programs.
• Experience working with traditional and social media is considered an asset.
• Prior experience working with Indigenous communities would be considered an asset.
• Availability to travel from time to time within Canada and internationally.

Location: Hybrid; where IISD has office (Winnipeg). Remote locations will be considered for qualified candidates in Alberta or Saskatchewan.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

Term: Full-time

Salary: The target hiring range for this position is $80,000 – $100,000 CAD annually. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

Start date: February 2026

Closing date: January 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM CST

All submissions must be in English.

Application Procedure

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 one 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.