Senior Policy Advisor

IISD

13h•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Policy Advisor contributes to the development, implementation, management, and reporting of research and outputs related to the International Institute for Sustainable Development’s Energy Program. The role may develop thematic expertise and secure and manage related projects, or build broader expertise across the program and manage multiple projects. It focuses substantially on the Energy Program’s Public Financial Flows pillar and on major policy research and engagement projects in Indonesia, including initiatives on carbon pricing and transport electrification that also involve the Philippines and Viet Nam. The advisor works with international colleagues and may support activities in other countries or internationally as the project portfolio evolves. Reporting to the Lead, Indonesia Energy Transition and Electric Mobility, the Senior Policy Advisor leads and contributes to research, prepares publication-ready outputs, supports policy engagement and capacity building, and builds relationships with partners and stakeholders. The role also contributes to project strategy, team leadership, fundraising, and project operations. This is a remote-based position anywhere in Indonesia, with a preference for Jakarta, and requires moderate travel for engagement activities. Candidates must have appropriate work authorization for their work location without IISD sponsorship. The position is a one-year contractual, 100% full-time-equivalent staff role, with the possibility of extension subject to funding. The start date is an immediate opportunity. Salary is commensurate with experience and location; candidates are asked to provide gross annual salary expectations in Indonesian rupiah, including health care costs.

Requirements

Master’s degree in energy, social science, politics, environment, climate change, a relevant interdisciplinary program, or equivalent.
At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in energy and climate policy at national or international level, focused on policy research and modelling.
Demonstrated experience building institutional relationships and partnerships through entrepreneurial outreach and networking.
Demonstrated experience producing high-quality briefing materials for policy research teams or meetings with policy-makers, ideally in energy and climate policy.
Understanding of policy research processes and methods.
Experience working with researchers to develop messages and ideas for policy-maker and civil society audiences.
Experience using quantitative and qualitative research tools, such as structured interviews, political economy research, or focus groups.
Strong analytical skills, data aptitude, critical thinking, and ability to learn quickly.
Strong attention to detail and ability to quality-check one’s own work.
Understanding of relevant national and subnational ministries and departments related to energy, tax, trade, infrastructure development, and climate change, including power, petroleum, coal, electricity, renewable energy, electric mobility and transport, fiscal measures, and international trade.
Familiarity with sustainable development, policy theory, and current climate, energy, and transport transition agendas.
Ability to produce publication-ready analysis and writing with limited oversight and editing.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage workloads, and deliver on time and within budget.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deliverables amid competing timelines.
Collaborative and inclusive approach across cultures and with colleagues.
Results-focused ability to prioritize and work quickly and accurately across a range of tasks.
Excellent analytical, research, oral, and writing skills in English and Filipino.
Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and Teams, and experience with web-based communications and management systems.
Availability for regular national travel and potential international travel.
Appropriate work authorization for the location where the candidate will be based, without IISD sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience producing policy briefing materials specifically in the context of energy and climate policy.
Experience with structured interviews, political economy analysis, or focus group research.

Responsibilities

Lead primary and secondary research in assigned thematic areas, working independently and with contractors as needed.
Deliver research and project outputs to required standards, including research reports, policy briefs, and technical reports.
Conduct or manage research by junior colleagues, consultants, and institutional partners on topics such as the financial value of energy taxes and support policies, comparative energy technology costs, economic impacts of policy changes, stakeholder consultations, and the design and evaluation of policy pilots.
Draft and take lead editorial responsibility for major English-language research outputs to publication-ready standards.
Develop and conduct law and policy capacity-building for governments and regional and national parliamentary bodies.
Review existing laws and policies or draft relevant model laws and contracts.
Track and influence relevant institutional normative processes and prepare commentaries, reports, and contributions to papers.
Represent IISD projects and programs to clients and stakeholders at forums, conferences, and public events.
Establish and maintain relationships with domestic and international partners across government, academia, nongovernmental and international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and media.
Develop and deliver original content on law and policy developments, including team briefings, op-eds, quarterly newsletters, webinars, and blogs.
Monitor emerging issues related to projects and the Energy and ELP Programs.
Work with IISD Communications and colleagues to develop communications materials suited to national policy discourse and policy or implementation impact.
Identify challenges, emerging issues, and solutions, and contribute to developing and growing projects.
Promote high performance, continuous improvement, learning, and quality.
Manage own time and project inputs to deliver outputs on time and within budget.
Supervise and guide assigned team members.
Identify fundraising opportunities, strengthen donor relationships, and support fundraising efforts.
Initiate and contribute to proposals for specific funding opportunities.
Design and implement projects supporting program initiatives in collaboration with IISD staff, affiliates, partners, and consultants.
Set up and manage parts of projects, highlighting and escalating delivery risks as appropriate.
Participate in project missions and arrange mission elements as appropriate.
Organize and document webinars, meetings, and public consultations as required.
Travel nationally on a regular basis and potentially internationally as required.