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 mínimal 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
- 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, arra