Policy Advisor, Fossil Fuel Transition

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 greatest sustainable 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. Our research and policy advice help governments, businesses, communities, and civil society make better decisions. Our international Energy Program works with partners across countries and disciplines.

We are currently looking for a Policy Advisor, Fossil Fuel Transition, to work within the IISD Energy Program.

About The Position

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. We recognize the difficult choices facing fossil‑fuel‑dependent economies: protecting public revenues, energy security, jobs, and affordability while building more resilient and diversified economies. The role involves close collaboration with government counterparts, particularly in the Global South, and with researchers, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society, as well as other teams within IISD’s 50‑staff Energy Program and other Institute programs.

The Policy Advisor will help design and implement applied research, policy advice, and technical assistance for countries seeking practical transition pathways. For example, the work may examine the effects of changing fossil fuel revenues on government budgets, assess subsidy reform options, or help translate national and international transition commitments into implementable measures. Key responsibilities include

Responsibilities

• Leading policy‑oriented research and analysis on fossil fuel transitions, public financial flows, macroeconomic and fiscal risks, subsidies, energy security and economic diversification; translating evidence into actionable options for decision‑makers.
• Designing and managing assigned workstreams and outputs, with clear workplans, responsibilities, quality checks, and milestones; coordinating partners; and contributing to reporting and budget management alongside financial project managers.
• Building trusted relationships with government counterparts, especially in fossil fuel‑dependent economies, as well as knowledge organizations, civil society networks and intergovernmental partners; adapting support to country needs and available evidence.
• 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 that build on demonstrated demand and the team’s existing expertise.
• Working with IISD Communications early in the process to turn research into clear, useful messages and products for intended audiences.

About The Successful Applicant

We are looking for a thoughtful, self‑directed policy professional who combines analytical rigour with practical judgement and reliable delivery. The successful applicant can turn a complex policy question into a workable plan, communicate trade‑offs clearly, and work constructively with colleagues across disciplines and time zones. They will understand that fossil fuel‑dependent countries face real fiscal, political, and development constraints and will seek credible, country‑owned transition solutions rather than one‑size‑fits‑all prescriptions. This is a hands‑on role with opportunities to take growing ownership and help develop colleagues.

Knowledge And Qualifications

The successful applicant will have (essential):

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in economics, public finance, development studies, public policy, natural resource management or a related field. A relevant master’s or PhD degree is an advantage.
• 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 and delivering projects to a high standard.
• A sound understanding of the economic and fiscal implications of energy transition, particularly for countries dependent on fossil fuel production, revenues, or consumption subsidies.
• Experience engaging government or public‑policy stakeholders, preferably in emerging or developing economies, with sensitivity to local institutions, data and policy priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to produce concise, persuasive policy notes or proposals for non‑specialist audiences.
• Proven project management: able to scope work, assign and follow up on responsibilities, manage deadlines, and flag risks early in international, multi‑partner settings.
• Experience providing constructive feedback, reviewing colleagues’ work or supporting the development of less experienced team members; formal line‑management experience is not required.
• A proactive and accountable working style: able to work independently, prioritize realistically, seek clarification early, and follow through reliably on commitments.
• Resourcefulness and sound judgement about data and methods, including when to use government data, partner expertise, or specialist modelling rather than assuming one tool fits every task.
• A collaborative, respectful approach across cultures and professional perspectives, with openness to feedback and a commitment to shared learning.
• Excellent oral and written English. Proficiency in another language will be considered an advantage.
• Availability to travel internationally.

The successful applicant could also have (desirable):

• Experience in fundraising or preparing successful proposals, including translating funder feedback into clearer project design.
• 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 or supervising specialist analytical work. Applicants with additional relevant experience who value hands‑on delivery are welcome.

Location: Remote, based in one of the following eligible Global South countries where IISD can employ staff: Burkina Faso, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, South Africa, or Uganda; or hybrid in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The role involves regular online collaboration with colleagues and partners based in Europe and the East Coast of the Americas; reasonable overlap with agreed team meeting hours is required.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization in the country they are based in without any sponsorship from IISD.

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience and location.

Employment type: 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.

Job Type: New

Start Date: As soon as feasible

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities, including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, people of diverse racial and ethnic identities, and people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and/or sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

We are committed to equitable and inclusive recruitment practices and to reducing barriers to employment and advancement. Hiring decisions are based on qualifications, experience, competencies, and organizational needs, while recognizing the value that diverse perspectives and lived experiences bring to our work. We offer reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process and welcome applicants’ input on how best to support their participation. Candidates are invited to voluntarily self‑identify and complete our employment equity questionnaire through our applicant tracking system

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