Canada: Coordinator, Nature-Based Climate Solutions Initiative, Resilience

Jan 23, 2022 | 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. Our 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. Our 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 Program Coordinator will provide project management, research, and communication support for IISD’s new initiative on Nature-Based Climate Solutions (NBCSs). The NBCS Initiative aims to enhance the capacity and knowledge of civil society actors in Canada and developing countries to design and implement gender-responsive, socially inclusive NBCSs that produce biodiversity benefits.

The successful candidate will manage and coordinate the overall initiative, including directing day-to-day activities, overseeing consultants, ensuring the timely delivery of activities, and being responsible for progress reporting. From time to time, the successful candidate will support the Resilience Program’s broader portfolio of work on climate adaptation in developing countries and Canada. The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team, working closely with other IISD staff and affiliates.

Responsibilities

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

Project coordination and implementation (60%)

  • Oversee the delivery of key activities and day-to-day operations of the NBCS initiative.
  • Create and manage project work plans, milestones, and budgets.
  • Monitor program timelines to ensure completion of milestones and that delivery deadlines are met; recommend optimizations between activities.
  • Provide updates internally and externally about project progress, potential barriers, and proposed solutions.
  • Measure performance throughout the project life cycle, identify areas for improvement, and document lessons that can be shared.
  • Work collaboratively with partners in government, research, and non-governmental organizations, as well as with consultants.
  • Support contracting and partner negotiations as needed and other tasks.
  • Convene, facilitate, contribute to, and report on workshops, meetings, dialogues, and other events of various sizes.
  • Contribute to the preparation of narrative and financial reports to funders.

Research (~10%):

  • Undertake literature reviews and background research on nature-based climate solutions and climate change adaptation.
  • Prepare notes, papers, briefs, and presentations that accurately synthesize and assess findings as part of projects led by other IISD personnel in the area of nature-based solutions and climate change adaptation.
  • Track issues related to nature-based solutions and climate change adaptation at the national and international levels.

Communications (~15%):

  • Organize and support virtual and in-person outreach and communication events, such as webinars, in close collaboration with the IISD communications team.
  • Develop written communication products, such as issue briefs, blogs, and case studies.
  • Prepare internal- and external-facing presentations and materials to effectively communicate information about, and increase interest in, the initiative and its activities.
  • In collaboration with IISD’s communications team, maintain the NBCS initiative’s website content on the IISD website using content management systems.

Fundraising (~5%):

  • Support other IISD personnel with the identification of new fundraising opportunities and the development of new project ideas and proposals.

Representation (~10%):

  • Establish and actively maintain a network of partners and contacts engaged in efforts related to NBCS and climate change adaptation, including individuals from governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and academia.
  • Represent IISD at international and national forums.

Required Knowledge and Skills 

The Program Coordinator will bring the following knowledge and skillset to the position:

  • Knowledge of nature-based solutions, climate change adaptation, climate risk management, and/or resilience-building, particularly as it pertains to developing countries and to policy and planning processes.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Analytical capacity and ability to become familiar with new topics quickly. 
  • Results-focused with an ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and work quickly and accurately under tight deadlines
  • Demonstrated organizational and planning skills, including an ability to coordinate meetings and events.
  • Strong interpersonal and networking skills.
  • Capacity to develop budgets and track expenditures.
  • Excellent writing skills and strong oral communication skills; capacity to communicate policy issues and research findings clearly and succinctly to different audiences via different platforms.
  • A motivated self-starter with an ability to work independently and to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
  • Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications, and experience in handling web-based communications and management systems.

Qualifications 

The Program Coordinator should possess the following qualifications:

  • A master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field of the social or natural sciences (e.g., political science, geography, sociology, economics, ecology).
  • A minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in the field of nature-based solutions, climate change adaptation, and/or conservation.
  • Fluent in written and spoken English; ability to work (read, write, speak) in French or Spanish would be considered an asset.
  • Good understanding of gender issues, gender equality, and women’s rights.
  • Experience in international development and working in developing countries.
  • Prior experience working with Indigenous communities would be considered an asset.
  • Availability to travel from time to time within Canada and internationally.
  • Must be currently eligible to work in Canada.  

Location:           Ottawa, Toronto, or Winnipeg

Term:                  Full-time

Salary:                $56,040 – $67,308 (based on experience)

Start date:          As soon as possible

Closing date:     January 31, 2022, at 4:00 PM PST  

Application Procedure:

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR. Please include the following:

  • A CV (no longer than two pages)
  • A letter of motivation, one page
  • All submissions must be in English.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

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