Policy Advisor, Energy Transition Tracking

IISD is seeking a Policy Advisor for Energy Transition Tracking in Toronto, ON, to support the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The role involves data collection, analysis, and management of energy policy tools like the Energy Policy Tracker and Fossil Fuel Subsidy Tracker. The advisor will collaborate with various international organizations and manage a team to ensure data initiatives are current and impactful.
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—ecological destruction, social exclusion, unfair laws and economic rules, a changing climate. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries. We work closely with international institutions such as the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance (BOGA), Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Energy Agency (IEA), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and international non-governmental organization (NGO) partners. Our approach is hands-on through country-level research and outreach in Canada, India, Indonesia, and South Africa, as well as via international forums such as the G7, the G20, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). About the Position The world is at a critical moment of delivering ambitious climate action while tackling several other crises. The goal of this work is to support broader efforts to shift government support from fossil fuels to renewable energy while leaving no one behind. The Policy Advisor will implement the consolidation and development of IISD Energy’s offering of data and indicators on policies supporting clean energy versus fossil fuels. The successful applicant will contribute to concepts and methodologies and be responsible for data collection, data analysis, data structuring, building databases, and developing related communications for the IISD Energy data tools, including the Energy Policy Tracker (currently under revamp), the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Tracker, SDG Indicator 12.c.1., GSI integrated fiscal (IF) model, and various inventories of energy subsidies and other energy policies. This work will build off the organization of information on energy policies toward the assessment of their social, economic, and environmental impacts. The Policy Advisor, Energy Transition Tracking, will also be actively involved in IISD Energy’s network of collaborations with other research and civil society organizations in the G20 and other countries (for example, see the list of partners of the Energy Policy Tracker). Key areas of responsibility will include but not be limited to managing IISD Energy’s data tools: Developing, maintaining, and managing data sets, substantive work, and coordination of other IISD researchers and consultants working on the Energy Policy Tracker (currently under revamp), the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Tracker, SDG Indicator 12.c.1., GSI integrated fiscal (IF) model, and various inventories of energy subsidies and other energy policies. This involves ensuring that the data initiatives are up-to-date, anticipation of workload, and liaising with consultants maintaining the respective websites Project managing deliverables from a small team of staff, consultants, and interns working on the same projects. Project managing related projects, working with IISD colleagues as well as external organizations and service suppliers (e.g., website developers). In collaboration with other IISD Energy experts, formulating the strategic development of IISD Energy data tools and ensuring continued methodology improvements over time to maintain the credibility and relevance of the tools. Assuring quality for the IISD Energy data tools by establishing quality assurance processes such as methodology reviews and data audits, with support from senior colleagues. Development and contribution to various data-based research products by IISD Energy, such as G20 Scorecards on fossil fuel and clean energy funding. Promoting the IISD Energy data tools as instruments to support other organizations’ research and ultimate policy change, contributing to IISD communication and fundraising activities linked to the data tools. Presenting and communicating IISD’s work to a variety of audiences. Designing, preparing, and conducting training and capacity building activities related to the reporting of the implied data, addressed to government officials and other international and non-governmental organizations as needed, in collaboration with senior colleagues. Liaising with other organizations that are IISD’s strategic partners for data (e.g., the OECD, UNEP, other think tanks, and tracker initiatives), understanding gaps and potential future development opportunities and strategic partnerships, cultivating relationships with partners via memorandums of understanding, and other frameworks for collaborat