Policy Advisor, Fisheries Subsidies

About

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 270 experts come from across the globe and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, our work affects lives in more than 100 countries.

ISD is looking for a policy advisor to join an international team of lawyers, policy advisors, and economists working to change trade and investment rules and policies. The overall goal of our work is to ensure that legal, policy, and institutional frameworks that govern trade, markets and investment support sustainable economic development, environmental sustainability and human well-being. This particular position will be focused on fisheries subsidies, with a particular emphasis on WTO rules to curb harmful fisheries subsidies.

We conduct applied research and policy analysis and provide high-quality advice to governments regarding the design and implementation of fisheries subsidy rules and policies. We help to align rules and policies with sustainable development imperatives, considering not only economic but also environmental (in particular marine conservation) and social priorities (in particular, social inclusion and gender equality).

In this context, we are looking for someone who can contribute to IISD’s work with research and analysis, writing of publications, engagement with government officials, communication efforts, and event organization. The incumbent will proactively contribute to the delivery of existing projects, ensuring activities always meet high standards, are politically astute, and are relevant to their intended audience. Their involvement will span IISD’s two main workstreams on the topic, namely support to ongoing WTO negotiations on fisheries subsidies and assistance to WTO members in implementing the 2022 Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The incumbent is expected to work independently and with minimal supervision but also to ask for guidance and advice as necessary to ensure the successful delivery of projects.

This position offers the opportunity to achieve real policy impact and make a practical contribution to a cutting-edge field at the intersection of trade rules and sustainable development, in a friendly international environment. In particular, the role provides the opportunity to learn how analysis and policy input can be designed and delivered to shape active policy debates. Opportunities may also arise for the incumbent to work on other projects in IISD’s broadening portfolio of trade policy topics.

Responsibilities

Strategy

• Contribute to defining the evolving strategy for IISD’s work on fisheries subsidies, including by identifying emerging issues and areas where IISD can be most impactful.

Research and Analysis

• Conduct high-quality research and analysis relevant to the design and implementation of fisheries subsidy rules and policies, as appropriate.
• Prepare, present, and communicate findings clearly and with political sensitivity to a variety of audiences, in a variety of formats.
• Lead on the organization of publications.
• Keep up to date regarding emerging issues related to the program.

Support to Implementation

• Engage directly with government officials to assist them in understanding WTO rules on fisheries subsidies and their implications.
• Deliver specific support activities to help WTO members with the implementation of WTO rules, in particular based on IISD’s dedicated self-assessment tool.
• Engage in outreach to raise awareness of, and generate demand for, IISD’s implementation support activities.

Support to Negotiations

• Contribute to diplomatic efforts to follow negotiations on fisheries subsidies.
• Provide technical and legal input WTO negotiators on relevant issues in negotiations, included based on IISD’s research and analysis.

Communication and Events

• Participate in communicating the work of the program, including by representing the program at events and conferences, and developing outreach materials, including emails, articles, blogs, and brochures.
• Contribute to the conceptualization and lead the organization and documentation of IISD webinars and meetings as required.
• Assist with the maintenance of IISD’s institutional presence, including its relationships within the government, academia, nongovernmental and private sectors.

Fundraising and Donor Relationships

• Participate in fundraising efforts, including contributing to written proposals for funding and leading specific parts of reporting to donors.
• Represent the program to donors and other stakeholders.

Coordination of Work

• Collaborate with IISD staff, affiliates, partners and consultants in the design and implementation of projects. Supervise consultants, as appropriate.
• Participate in project missions, arranging elements of missions as appropriate.
• Lead on the organization and documentation of webinars, meetings and public consultations as required.
• Manage own time and inputs into projects so as to deliver outputs on time and to budget.

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• Ability to apply excellent analytical capabilities to both legal and economic topics and to produce high-quality research and policy analysis.
• Ability to manage own time, prioritize between several ongoing projects at once, and deliver activities that meet the required standard on time and within budget.
• A demonstrated interest in promoting sustainable development and in shaping international governance frameworks to advance sustainable development goals.
• A graduate degree in economics, law, international relations, or another relevant discipline.
• 5+ years of experience working in international policy analysis and advice (e.g., a think tank, university, intergovernmental organization, or civil society organization) or policy-making (e.g., government), with demonstrated involvement on sustainable development issues.
• A good understanding of and experience working on trade policy, in particular WTO issues.
• Political tact and a good understanding of international diplomacy and negotiations.

Desirable

• Good understanding of the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Duties, the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, and key fisheries-related concepts and research.
• Experience working in or with developing country governments or regional organizations would be a strong advantage.
• Experience working with other relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations, research institutes, and intergovernmental organizations.

Skills, Competencies, and Attributes

Essential

• Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills.
• Fluency in English.
• Strong presentation and networking skills.
• Excellent IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to pick up knowledge on new topics quickly.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Ability to work on own initiative and under minimal supervision.
• Strong commitment to the ideals, values, and mission of IISD.

Desirable

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally for work.
• Ability to work effectively in a remote, asynchronous team.

For more details on what we are looking for in our candidates, please refer to the IISD competencies on our website.

Position Details

Location: Hybrid, Geneva

Candidates must hold an appropriate work authorization to work in Switzerland without any sponsorship from IISD.

Salary: CHF 93,000 – CHF 102,000 annually

Type of employment: Full-time

Duration: 2 year with the possibility of renewal

Start Date: ASAP

Application deadline: June 15, 2024