Canada: Junior Researcher, Resilience

Oct 3, 2021 | International Institute for Sustainable Development
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The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank working to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resource management, and fair economies. Our work inspires better decisions and sparks meaningful action to help people and the planet thrive. We shine a light on what can be achieved when governments, businesses, non-profits, and communities come together. IISD’s staff of more than 120 people, plus over 150 associates and consultants, come from across the globe and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries.

IISD’s Resilience Program is a multidisciplinary team of policy researchers who work with governments, civil society, communities, and businesses to help them manage climate- and conflict-related risks. Its work on climate change adaptation focuses on planning, people, and nature—preparing for a different or uncertain future, making sure different genders and social groups influence and benefit from adaptation investments, and harnessing the role of ecosystems to help communities manage climate risk. The program’s work on Environment, Conflict, and Peacebuilding supports policy-makers and practitioners working in conflict-affected and high-risk areas to ensure their work is sustainable in a changing climate and supports the transition from fragility to peace.

The Position

The following position is funded by the United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC) through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canada Green Corps initiative.

The junior researcher will provide research and communication support for IISD’s Resilience Team and its work related to nature-based climate solutions and climate change adaptation within Canada and internationally.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate’s key areas of responsibility will include but not be limited to:

Research (~75%):

• Undertaking substantive literature reviews and background research on science, policies, plans, and practices related to climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, biodiversity, and sustainable development.
• Supporting the preparation of notes, papers, briefs, and presentations that accurately synthesize and assess findings as part of projects led by other IISD personnel, in the areas of climate change adaptation, including but not limited to ecosystem and biodiversity protection, municipal adaptation planning, and nature-based climate solutions.
• Supporting the development of online learning modules related to nature-based climate solutions and climate adaptation.
• Tracking issues related to climate change adaptation in Canada at the provincial and national levels.

Communications (~15%):

• Supporting the development of written communication products, such as issue briefs, blogs, and case studies.
• Supporting virtual communication events, such as webinars.

Collaboration and project management (~10%):

• Supporting the organization and documentation of meetings of various sizes, including tasks related to identifying and inviting participants, developing agendas, facilitating sessions, and producing meeting reports.

Required Skills

The junior researcher will bring the following set of skills to the position:

• Strong research skills and analytical capacity, including but not limited to conducting literature reviews and general background research, as well as the ability to quickly become familiar with new topics.
• Good understanding and knowledge of the science of climate change, climate change adaptation, climate risk management, and/or resilience-building, particularly on nature-based climate solutions.
• Familiarity with climate change policies and practices in Western Canada would be considered an asset.
• A motivated self-starter with an ability to work independently and to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.

• Excellent writing skills and strong oral communication skills; capacity to clearly and succinctly communicate policy issues and research findings to different audiences via different platforms.
• Be results focused, with an ability to work quickly and accurately to meet tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated organizational and planning skills, including ability to coordinate meetings.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills.

• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications, and experience in handling web-based communications and management systems.

Internship Program Eligibility:

The junior researcher must be:

• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the internship.
• Between 18–30 years of age at the start of the internship.
• A recent graduate of a post-secondary institution (within 2 years after graduation).

Qualifications:

The junior researcher should possess the following qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field of the social or natural sciences (e.g., environmental sciences, engineering, geography, political science, ecology, economics) who has graduated in the last 2 years. Candidates with a recently conferred Bachelor’s degree with relevant experience will also be considered.
• No prior experience required, but relevant work or volunteer experience in the field of climate change and/or sustainable development would be considered an asset.
• Fluent written and spoken English. Ability to work (read, write, speak) in French or Spanish would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of international development and experience working in developing countries would be considered an asset.
• Prior experience working with Indigenous communities would be considered an asset.

All submissions must be in English.

Applications are expected to include a cover letter along with resume in one PDF document.

Candidates must meet the eligibility requirement for the internship program.

Any inquiries regarding this internship and its eligibility requirements should be directed to Jeffrey Qi at jqi@iisd.ca.      

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for one year.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQ+ to apply for the junior researcher position.