Senior Policy Advisor, Sustainability Policy & Research

Export Development Canada•Ottawa, ON

2d•CA$96,557 - CA$128,743•Hybrid

About The Position

At EDC, we empower Canadian businesses to succeed globally. As a financial Crown corporation, we offer innovative financial solutions and expert insights to help businesses explore new markets, mitigate risks, and achieve growth. The Sustainability Policy & Research team is recruiting a Senior Policy Advisor, with a social and/or human rights risk management background, to join the team. As a social and/or human rights risk management subject-matter expert, the individual will be responsible for advancing EDC’s human rights and broader social policy commitments and will contribute to the team’s research agenda and external engagement efforts with industry peers as needed. This individual will have exposure across EDC’s lines of business and other governance and risk functions. This role requires exceptional communication and influencing skills with a large network of internal and external stakeholders, to engage and consult on an array of technical social and human rights-related issues. As a Crown Corporation, EDC has an important role in supporting businesses and large projects that contribute to Canada’s economy and international projects around the globe. This is a rare opportunity for a resourceful, collaborative and creative self-starter to work directly at the intersection of social risk management policy and research in the financial services sector in a rapidly evolving global context.

Requirements

An undergraduate degree in a relevant social science discipline such as public administration, international affairs, international development, human rights, political sciences, or law.
Minimum of seven years of demonstrated experience in a policy, risk, sustainability or related function, preferably in the financial sector, with a strong understanding of banking/financial products.
Demonstrated experience in policy development, implementation and change management.
Familiarity with international environmental and social standards, such as the United Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standards and the Equator Principles.
Strong influencing skills and the ability to build productive relationships with key teams.
Strong communication skills (written, verbal, presentation), including the ability to translate technical concepts into clear, decision-oriented advice.

Nice To Haves

A master's degree in a relevant social science discipline such as public administration, international affairs, international development, human rights, political sciences, or law or related discipline.
Experience or expertise in human rights issues such as indigenous peoples, gender or other social issues, or related to the management of human rights risks in certain sectors, including technology, defence and security, mining/extractive, renewable energy, manufacturing or other relevant sectors.
Experience working in the financial sector and knowledge of financial products.
Experience engaging with external stakeholders, including civil society organizations (CSOs) or with provincial and/or federal government.
Bilingual in both official languages (minimum B level).

Responsibilities

Contribute to the review and update of specific social and human rights risk management policy commitments, including contributing to the ongoing review and refresh of EDC’s Human Rights Policy.
Support the review and update of EDC’s other environmental and social risk management policies to ensure coherence and alignment with the Human Rights Policy.
Facilitate the implementation of EDC’s social and human rights-related policies, procedures, programs and/or initiatives, in collaboration with partners across EDC.
Lead the development and implementation of other policy instruments focusing on social and/or human rights issues (e.g., Positions, Standards).
Oversee the operationalization of EDC’s Defense and Security Position, collaborating across teams to ensure alignment with the Government of Canada’s expectations, as well as EDC’s strategy and risk appetite.
Advise on complex high-risk social and/or human rights issues at both operational and strategic level, including providing expert advice and policy interpretation on high-risk transactions.
Monitor and assess emerging social and human rights related regulatory and policy trends, translating implications into strategic advice for senior management or the lines of business.
Contribute to the team’s research agenda and develop insight papers, briefings, and research products on key sectors, themes, or geographies.
Contribute to EDC’s human rights biennial report and overall transparency and disclosure practice on EDC’s human rights performance.
Engage with social and/or human rights standard-setting organizations and represent EDC in relevant fora.