Policy Analyst, Trade and Climate Change (Ottawa or Geneva) At International Institute for Sustainable Development

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an independent think tank that delivers the knowledge to act. Our mission is to promote human development and environmental sustainability. Our big-picture view allows us to address the root causes of some of the greatest challenges facing our planet today—a changing climate, ecological destruction, social exclusion, and unfair laws and economic rules. With offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Geneva, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries.

Scope

IISD is looking for a Policy Analyst to join an international team of lawyers, policy advisors, and economists working to change the rules and policies on trade and investment related to climate action.

The overall goal of our work is to ensure that the legal, policy, and institutional frameworks that govern trade, markets, and investment support ambitious action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts.

We conduct applied research and policy analysis and provide high-quality advice to governments regarding the design of trade and investment policy measures that have the objective of mitigating climate change, including, in particular, the issue of border carbon adjustments. In this context, we are looking for someone who can contribute to various strands of our program and, in particular, to a project focused on generating dialogue and research around the opportunities and challenges of border carbon adjustment measures.

IISD offers the opportunity to carry out varied research in cutting-edge, challenging fields in a friendly international environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct primary and secondary research on trade and climate change issues, in particular border carbon adjustment mechanisms, and write reports for the program, working with contractors as required.
• Keep up to date regarding emerging issues related to the program.
• Prepare, present, and communicate high-quality research findings to a variety of audiences.
• Assist in communicating the work of the program and its components to a broader audience, including attending events and developing outreach materials, such as blogs and brochures.
• Maintain contacts with domestic and international project partners.
• Assist with the maintenance of IISD’s institutional presence, including the maintenance of relationships within the government, academia, and nongovernmental and private sectors.
• Collaborate with IISD staff, affiliates, partners, and consultants in the design and implementation of projects.
• Participating in project missions, arranging elements of the missions as appropriate.
• Lead the organization and documentation of webinars, meetings, and public consultations as required.

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• Ability to manage own time and inputs into projects so as to deliver research to a high standard, on time and within budgets.
• A demonstrated interest in promoting sustainable development and in shaping trade and investment frameworks to advance climate mitigation and adaptation.
• A degree and post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., public policy, economics, law, politics, international relations, development studies, the environment, and climate change).
• At least 3 years of experience in an international policy research environment (e.g., a think tank, university, intergovernmental organization, or civil society organization) conducting applied research and policy analysis, as demonstrated by publications and reports.
• A good understanding of and experience working on one or more key issues in sustainable development, including trade policy and climate policy. Exposure to other related areas of policy, such as investment or industrial policy, would be an advantage.
• A track record of producing high-quality research and analysis in a short period of time and for different audiences.

Desirable

• A good understanding of and experience working on issues at the intersection of trade and climate change.
• Experience working in or with developing country governments or regional organizations.
• Experience working with other relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, parliamentarians, civil society organizations, research institutes, and intergovernmental organizations.

Skills, Competencies, and Attributes

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills.
• Fluency in English.
• Strong presentation and networking skills.
• Excellent IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• 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.

Desirable

• Fieldwork experience
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis

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

Location: Ottawa, Canada or Geneva, Switzerland. Office based with hybrid options possible.

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

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience and locations

Employment type: 2 years (December 2022 to December 2024). This position is full-time but may be sized to be part-time if the successful candidate is engaged in complementary study during the period of the contract (e.g., completing a PhD in a related field).

Start date: ASAP

Closing date: 4 November 2022

The candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the closing date.

Application Procedure

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

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization.

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.