Job Description

About Us

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 300 experts 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.

The Coalition on Phasing Out Fossil Fuel Incentives Including Subsidies (COFFIS) is a group of 17 countries working to advance fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR) through the phase-out of domestic subsidies and coordinated international engagement. Fossil fuel subsidies remain at historically high levels in Europe and globally. In addition to reducing emissions, FFSR can help create fiscal space in national budgets, strengthen energy security by encouraging a more diversified energy mix, and contribute to a level playing field across industrial sectors.

An EU contact group on FFSR was launched in 2025. IISD, in its role hosting the secretariat of COFFIS, facilitates the work of this group, supporting strategic engagement with EU policy processes related to FFSR.

IISD’s Energy team is looking for a Policy Advisor focused on evolving EU energy policy, including energy security and FFSR. Based in Brussels, this role focuses on researching legal/policy options and coordination with IISD’s European partners.

Key Responsibilities and Role Details

• Strategic advocacy: Advancing energy security and FFSR through coordinated international engagement and directly engaging with EU stakeholders.
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  Technical research: Providing policy options for phasing out domestic subsidies and advising on EU legislation regarding energy and climate policy.
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  Coordination: Working within IISD’s Energy Program, coordinating with other IISD programs and external partners.

Requirements

• Experience: Strong understanding of EU policy processes, specifically in energy transition, climate action, and working with EU institutions.
• Minimum 7 years of experience working in international policy analysis (e.g., a think tank, university, intergovernmental organization, or civil society organization) or policy-making (e.g., government), with demonstrated involvement in sustainable development issues.

• A master’s degree in public policy or related area (e.g., economics, geology, international development, law, or policy) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills (Essential)

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines, work collaboratively with a multicultural team, and take the initiative in advancing or leading projects with minimal supervision when needed.
• Ability to work independently to produce analysis and writing that is “publication ready” with a limited degree of oversight and editing.
• Leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent organizational, presentation, and strategic planning skills.
• Confident and engaging communication skills, including an understanding of different communications approaches for different audiences; experience with different approaches to managing and conducting engagement with policy stakeholders and project partners will be considered a strong advantage.
• Excellent computer skills, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and automated referencing software.

Behavioural Competencies (Essential)

• Confidence in working collaboratively with IISD staff, affiliates, partners, and consultants.
• An entrepreneurial approach to work, taking initiative within the team and ready to develop new skills, increase responsibility, and build experience in fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, managing workload and producing deliverables on time and within budget.
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  Results-focused with an ability to prioritize and work quickly and accurately over a range of tasks.

Languages: Fluency in English is required, with other EU languages considered a strong asset.

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience.

Employment type: 1-year contract with the possibility of renewal at 80% or 100% full-time equivalent.

Job Type:Newly Created Role

Start Date: ASAP

Closing Date: May 18, 2026 4pm CST

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for location where they expect to be based without any sponsorship from IISD.

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR.

• A CV (no longer than two pages)
• A one-page letter of motivation
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 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 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants’ advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

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