Policy Advisor, Fossil Fuel Transition

IISD

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Policy Advisor, Fossil Fuel Transition, will work within IISD’s International Strategy team in the Energy Program, helping governments and partners advance a Paris-aligned, just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuel production and consumption. The work includes reform of fossil fuel subsidies and public finance, while recognizing the fiscal, energy security, employment, affordability, and economic diversification challenges facing fossil-fuel-dependent economies.

The role involves close collaboration with government counterparts, particularly in the Global South, as well as researchers, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, and colleagues across IISD. The Policy Advisor will help design and implement applied research, policy advice, and technical assistance for countries developing practical transition pathways. Work may examine how changes in fossil fuel revenues affect government budgets, assess subsidy reform options, or help translate national and international commitments into implementable measures.

This is a hands-on position for a self-directed policy professional who can turn complex policy questions into workable plans, communicate trade-offs clearly, and deliver reliably across disciplines and time zones. The successful applicant will develop growing ownership of work and help develop colleagues.

The position is remote from an eligible Global South country where IISD can employ staff, or hybrid in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Candidates must have appropriate work authorization in their country of residence without IISD sponsorship. The role involves regular online collaboration with colleagues and partners in Europe and the East Coast of the Americas, requiring reasonable overlap with agreed team meeting hours. International travel is required. The position is 80%–100% full-time equivalent, under an Employer of Record model, for one year with a possibility of extension. Salary is commensurate with experience and location. The start date is as soon as feasible.

Requirements

• 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 and delivering projects to a high standard.
• 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 producing concise, persuasive policy notes or proposals for non-specialist audiences.
• Proven project-management ability, including scoping work, assigning and following up on responsibilities, managing deadlines, and flagging risks early in international, multi-partner settings.
• Experience providing constructive feedback, reviewing colleagues’ work, or supporting less experienced team members; formal line-management experience is not required.
• Proactive and accountable working style, including the ability to work independently, prioritize realistically, seek clarification early, and follow through on commitments.
• Resourcefulness and sound judgement about data and methods, including knowing when to use government data, partner expertise, or specialist modelling.
• Collaborative and respectful approach across cultures and professional perspectives, openness to feedback, and commitment to shared learning.
• Excellent oral and written English.
• Availability to travel internationally.
• Appropriate work authorization in the country where based, without sponsorship from IISD.
• Availability to collaborate online with colleagues and partners in Europe and the East Coast of the Americas, with reasonable overlap with agreed team meeting hours.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant master’s or PhD degree.
• Proficiency in another language.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy-oriented research and analysis on fossil fuel transitions, public financial flows, macroeconomic and fiscal risks, subsidies, energy security, and economic diversification; translate evidence into actionable options for decision-makers.
• Design and manage assigned workstreams and outputs, including workplans, responsibilities, quality checks, and milestones.
• Coordinate partners and contribute to reporting and budget management alongside financial project managers.
• Build trusted relationships with government counterparts, especially in fossil-fuel-dependent economies, as well as knowledge organizations, civil society networks, and intergovernmental partners.
• Adapt support to country needs and available evidence.
• Support the development of more junior colleagues through clear task briefs, constructive feedback, peer review, and learning by doing.
• Contribute to focused funding proposals and partner engagement based on demonstrated demand and the team’s expertise.
• Work with IISD Communications early in the process to develop clear, useful research messages and products for intended audiences.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level