Senior Policy Specialist

About IISD

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is a globally recognized think tank with 3 decades of experience working to solve the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges. We combine deep expertise in a wide range of issues with a collaborative approach to research, policy advice, and hands‑on support to ensure these solutions are brought to life. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, we are a diverse team of over 300 professionals working from offices in Canada, Switzerland, and other locations around the world.

IISD’s Water Program comprises freshwater scientists, engineers, and a multidisciplinary team of policy researchers who work with governments, civil society, communities, and businesses to enable effective policy and practice related to water for sustainable ecological and human benefits, while managing climate‑related risks. Additionally, our work on natural infrastructure focuses on natural and naturalized solutions to meet the water‑related needs and related co‑benefits in Canada and globally.

IISD’s Water Program leads the Natural Infrastructure for Water Solutions (NIWS) initiative, a multi‑year project helping to scale up natural infrastructure on Canada’s Prairies—for cleaner water and more resilient communities. This effort, spanning from 2022 to 2027, comprises research, convening, engaging key partners and driving policy and practice to advance natural infrastructure as a practical response to the water, infrastructure, biodiversity, and climate challenges facing the Canadian Prairies.

We anticipate that elements of this effort will continue beyond the timeline of this project as ongoing efforts of the Water Program’s regional efforts.

IISD is currently looking for a Senior Policy Specialist for its Water Program. The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight and coordination support for IISD’s NIWS initiative and help grow IISD’s water policy efforts in Canada, based on broad priorities laid out in the Water Program Strategy and IISD’s Strategic Plan.

The successful candidate will coordinate the NIWS initiative, working closely with the NIWS director and senior project manager to guide day‑to‑day implementation, engaging partners, overseeing consultants, ensuring the timely delivery of activities while providing thought leadership and policy support, and helping to shape and communicate the initiative’s strategic direction and impact. In addition, this position will help develop and implement policy research and engagement on water issues of strategic importance in the Canadian context.

The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team, working closely with other IISD staff and affiliates.

Project coordination and implementation (40%)

• Work with the NIWS core team to oversee the delivery of key activities and day‑to‑day operations of the NIWS initiative and ensure alignment with overall program goals.
• Support the development and tracking of project work plans, milestones, and budgets, ensuring coherence across multiple work streams.
• Provide updates internally and externally about project progress, potential barriers, and proposed solutions.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of the NIWS strategy, impact, and outcomes for the initiative.
• Contribute to the monitoring‑evaluation‑learning for the NIWS initiative, helping identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to ensure impact.
• Support the NIWS communications strategy, ensuring the delivery of key efforts to increase visibility, engagement, and impacts.
• Engage and work collaboratively with partners in government, research, and non‑governmental organizations, as well as with consultants.
• Support contracting and partner negotiations as needed.
• Convene, facilitate, contribute to, and report on workshops, meetings, dialogues, and other events of various sizes.
• Oversee the preparation of narrative and financial reports to funders in coordination with the senior project manager and Finance team.

Water Policy Research and Engagement (30%)

• Conduct targeted water policy research and engagement in Canada related to NIWS and…