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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. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, IISD’s staff of more than 220 experts come from across the globe and from many backgrounds.

IISD’s Resilience Program is made up of a multidisciplinary team of policy researchers who work with governments, civil society, communities, and businesses to help them manage climate- and conflict-related risks. Its work focuses on planning, people, and nature—preparing for a different or uncertain future, making sure different genders and social groups influence and benefit from investments in resilience, and harnessing the role of ecosystems to help communities manage risks.

The Position

The Communications Manager will develop and oversee the implementation of the communications strategy for the Resilience Program. They will lead a team of communications experts working on a diverse range of resilience issues, from national adaptation planning and nature-based climate solutions to gender-responsive climate action and environmental peacebuilding. With a talent for impact-focused storytelling and making complex ideas accessible, they will be a strategic thinker, collaborative leader, and multitasker with a keen interest in international affairs and sustainable development.

Responsibilities

Strategy and Creative Content

• Direct program-wide communications strategy, identifying areas for improvement, advising on ways to increase clarity and usability of knowledge products, improving storytelling tactics, boosting impact and better aligning with the IISD communications strategy.

• Oversee the implementation of communications plans for a broad range of projects, reports, campaigns, and events within the Resilience Program.

• Oversee program-related updating and refreshing of the IISD website as part of a broader, SEO-driven digital strategy. Provide strategic guidance for the development of program-specific micro-sites.

• Guide and contribute to the timely delivery of content, reviewing various outputs, such as press releases, newsletters, videos, funder updates, articles, presentations, and other outreach materials.

• Support fundraising efforts as appropriate by leading, contributing to, and developing communications outputs and associated budgets in project proposals; develop and direct the production of key publications, such as progress reports, for existing and potential donors.

Media Outreach and Public Engagement

• Secure targeted coverage for IISD research and initiatives in key media outlets, increasing both the quantity and quality of our coverage.

• Keep abreast of new developments in industry best practices for social media and lead strategy on how we engage on social media platforms.

• Cultivate and nourish relationships with key stakeholders and external partners.

Internal Processes and Management

• Work closely with IISD’s core communications team to advance the institute-wide strategy. Ensure internal processes are being closely followed in developing Resilience Program outputs.

• Maintain strong relationships with Resilience Program staff to gain deeper understanding of their research and policy objectives to translate their work into communications products that resonate with priority audiences.

• Ensure program staff have adequate communication support in promoting both physical and virtual events, workshops, e-learning courses, and webinars.

• Develop program communications capacity by line managing and recruiting more junior staff and consultants as needed. Ensure professional development of direct reports.
  
• Develop, in coordination with program staff, appropriate budgets and scope for program-wide and project-specific communications work; review budgets regularly against actual expenses.

• Monitor and evaluate impact against communications objectives, plans, and commitments to funders, including analyzing relevant data to advise on best practices.

• Ensure brand coherence and compliance with existing IISD communications practices and policies across all platforms.

Qualifications

• A university-level degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or other related social science discipline. Alternatively, a degree in international relations, public policy, sustainable development, or a related discipline combined with communications experience can be considered.
• Ability to travel internationally for communications support as needed (potentially one or two times a year).

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in policy-focused journalism, public relations, or organizational communications.
• At least 5 years working on communications related to international development, climate change, and/or sustainable development, particularly in the Global South.
• Experience leading communication planning and strategy, involving the development and execution of key messages, social media campaigns, media outreach, etc.
• Experience and comfort working with online content management systems and website monitoring, especially WordPress and Google Analytics 4.

Skills

• Strong writing and editing skills for different purposes, including social media posts, long-form articles, op-eds, report summaries, and promotional material.
• Ability to understand and clearly communicate complex, technical information around the major themes within the Resilience Program and execute on strategic communications priorities.
• Familiarity with project management software such as Asana, Monday, or SharePoint.
• Experience with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other virtual meeting platforms.
• Fluent in written and spoken English. French and Spanish language skills are a strong asset.

Behavioral Competencies

• Results-focused: able to work quickly and accurately to meet tight deadlines and deliver high-impact communications campaigns without compromising on quality.
• Strong leadership skills: able to think critically, plan strategically, seek guidance from peers, and mentor junior staff on the communications team.
• Strong interpersonal skills: able to work comfortably across different cultures, be inclusive and positive, and communicate effectively, both with internal staff and external partners or vendors.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail, especially in written work.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.

Deadline for receiving applications: June 23, 2023; or until the position is filled.

Employment Type: Full time

Salary: $75,000 –$92,000 (CAD) salary, based on experience and location

Start Date: ASAP

Location: Ontario or Manitoba

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR. Please apply to only one posting, as this role is posted to multiple cities.

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

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.

IISD has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy that requires employees who are required or choose to be at an office or participate in in-person team events or in-person meetings/events to be fully vaccinated. Anyone unable to be fully vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or disability that prevents them from being fully vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.

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.