Senior Policy Advisor

About Us

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with more than 30 years of experience working to solve today's greatestsustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise across critical policy areas with a collaborative approach to research, advice, and hands‑on support that delivers real‑world results. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 experts working from offices in Canada and Switzerland as well as other locations around the world

Overview

The Senior Policy Advisor contributes to the development, implementation, management, and reporting of research and outputs related to the Energy Program. The Senior Policy Advisor is expected to

(a)Develop thematic expertise relating to an aspect of the program and secure and manage projects relating to this thematic expertise; and/or

(b)Develop general expertise across the program and manage a range of projects across the pillar simultaneously.

This position is expected to focus in large part on the Energy Program’s pillar of work on Public Financial Flows. The Senior Policy Advisor will in particular play an active role in delivering major policy research and engagement projects as part of IISD’s work program in Indonesia, including two major projects - the Emissions Ambition for Sustainable Economies in Southeast Asia (EASE-SEA) initiative and Energy is the Key to a Climate Stable Future (EnerKey) - focused on carbon pricing and transport electrification, respectively. Both projects will involve activities that go beyond only Indonesia, applying also to the Philippines and Viet Nam. The Senior Policy Advisor will work with international colleagues to support international initiatives and may support IISD activities in other countries or internationally, as required, as IISD’s project portfolio evolves over time.

Detailed Description of Responsibilities

Reporting to the Lead, Indonesia Energy Transition and Electric Mobility, the Senior Policy Advisor has the following responsibilities:

Policy Research

• Lead the delivery of primary and secondary research in assigned thematic areas, such as the existing carbon pricing policy context or the policy support required to achieve national ambitions on transport electrification, working with a good deal of independence to ensure the successful completion of projects and working with contractors, as required.
• Deliver research and other project outputs to the required standard, including research reports, policy briefs, and technical reports, asking for guidance and advice as required to ensure the successful delivery of quality outputs.
• Undertake research and/or design and manage research conducted by more junior colleagues, consultants, and institutional partners, focusing on technical rather than financial deliverables, such as identifying and estimating the financial value of taxes and support policies related to energy; estimating the relative cost of different energy technologies through Excel‑based models; estimating the micro‑ and macroeconomic impacts of changes in taxes and support policies related to energy, including impacts disaggregated by gender and other identities and impacts on household incomes; running consultations with policy and industry stakeholders; and designing schemes to pilot and evaluate the potential for specific policy solutions.
• Draft and take lead editorial responsibility for major English‑language research reports and other project outputs to a publication‑ready standard, including research reports, policy briefs, and technical reports.
• Develop and conduct capacity building for governments and regional and national parliamentary bodies on law and policy.
• Review existing laws and policies or draft relevant model laws/contracts.
• Contribute to tracking and influencing normative processes for relevant institutions and prepare commentaries, reports, and paper contributions for different processes.

Outreach and Communications

• Represent IISD projects and programs to clients and stakeholders, including at forums, conferences, and public events.
• Establish and maintain contacts with domestic and international project partners, including stakeholders in the government, academia, non‑governmental and international organizations, civil society, private sectors, and media, with appropriate support from senior colleagues.
• Maintain and identify new contacts with domestic and international project partners.
• Develop, maintain, and deliver original content relating to law and policy developments, including team briefings, op‑eds, quarterly newsletters, webinars, and blogs.
• Keep up to date regarding emerging issues related to the project and the broader Energy and ELP Programs.
• Work with the IIS