[Hiring] Policy Advisor, Fossil Fuel Transition @IISD

Role Description

The Policy Advisor, Fossil Fuel Transition, will work within IISD’s International Strategy team, helping governments and partners advance a Paris-aligned, just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuel production and consumption, including reform of fossil fuel subsidies and public finance.

• Close collaboration with government counterparts, particularly in the Global South.
• Work with researchers, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society.
• Design and implement applied research, policy advice, and technical assistance for countries seeking practical transition pathways.
• Examine the effects of changing fossil fuel revenues on government budgets.
• Assess subsidy reform options.
• Help translate national and international transition commitments into implementable measures.

Responsibilities

• Leading policy-oriented research and analysis on fossil fuel transitions, public financial flows, macroeconomic and fiscal risks, subsidies, energy security, and economic diversification.
• Designing and managing assigned workstreams and outputs, with clear workplans, responsibilities, quality checks, and milestones.
• Building trusted relationships with government counterparts, especially in fossil fuel-dependent economies.
• Supporting the development of more junior colleagues through clear task briefs, constructive feedback, peer review, and learning by doing.
• Contributing to focused funding proposals and partner engagement.
• Working with IISD Communications to turn research into clear, useful messages and products for intended audiences.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in economics, public finance, development studies, public policy, natural resource management, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in macroeconomic or fiscal policy, applied economic research, public finance, energy policy, or fossil fuel transitions.
• Strong strategic thinking with examples of turning broad questions into concrete outputs.
• A sound understanding of the economic and fiscal implications of energy transition.
• Experience engaging government or public-policy stakeholders, preferably in emerging or developing economies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven project management skills.
• Experience providing constructive feedback and supporting the development of less experienced team members.
• A proactive and accountable working style.
• Resourcefulness and sound judgement about data and methods.
• A collaborative, respectful approach across cultures and professional perspectives.
• Excellent oral and written English; proficiency in another language is an advantage.
• Availability to travel internationally.

Requirements

• Experience in fundraising or preparing successful proposals.
• Applied experience in fossil fuel subsidy reform, public financial flows, economic diversification, transition planning, or government-facing technical assistance.
• Experience working with quantitative economic or energy-sector data.

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience and location.
• 80%–100% full-time-equivalent staff position, under an Employer of Record model.
• This is a 1-year contractual position with a possibility of extension.

Application Procedure

• All submissions must be in English.
• Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR.
• A cover letter (maximum one page).
• A CV (no longer than two pages).
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional).
• Applications without a cover letter or CV will not be considered.
• Include your availability and salary expectations in your CV.
• Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted.