Smart Prosperity Institute (SPI) is hiring new Research Associates (RA) in Economic and Environmental Policy. SPI is Canada’s leading green economy research institute and think tank, based at the University of Ottawa. SPI turns world-class research into high impact policy change for clean growth and innovation.

Our Research Associates will work with SPI’s research team, its global network of academic experts, and its civil society and business leaders group on a range of environment-economy research issues, such as: clean innovation, circular economy, pollution pricing, climate policy, incentives for nature conservation, and how smart policies can drive clean growth in different sectors (agriculture, mining, manufacturing, building trades, energy, etc). In addition to research, the RA will be involved in SPI’s events, communications and policy change work.
 

Title: Research Associate (on multiple policy teams)

Location: Smart Prosperity Institute, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (this job can be done from Ottawa or remotely)

Start date: As soon as possible

Salary band: NR-6 ($65,057 to $81,321 annually)
 

Position Purpose

This position collaborates on research projects of varying complexity, under general supervision, that will inform decision makers on the development of practical, inclusive, and equitable policies and market-based solutions for a stronger, cleaner economy.

There are open RA positions on a number of teams, including:

  • Green Jobs and Skills;

  • Equity and Justice;

  • Housing.

 

Description of each policy team:

 

Green jobs and skills

The Green jobs and Skills team conducts place-based research and analyses to answer three questions: What are Canada’s labour needs to meet its climate targets, drive clean growth, and adapt to climate impacts? What skills will this workforce require? And, how can policies, programs and practices be designed equitably to ensure inclusive access to the economic opportunities a transition will create? The team’s work centres around the human aspects of climate action, and applies an interdisciplinary lens to support an equitable workforce transition, and close Canada’s green skills gap. 

 

Equity and Justice

The Equity and Justice team creates and translates the knowledge base necessary to inform the integration of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) considerations in research at the forefront of environmental and economic policy development. This team works to examine and identify best practices of inclusive policy design to support the transition to net-zero carbon economy that is fair and meets the needs of underserved and equity-seeking communities. The fundamental goal of this team is to advance actionable policy advice for a more sustainable and just future.

 

Housing

Our Housing policy team recognizes that housing supply and affordability have a direct impact on Canada’s ability to address climate change. We need more affordable housing to ensure workers can afford to live near where clean technology companies create jobs, and where we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We need dense housing in cities to avoid sprawl that increases greenhouse gas emissions. And we can use policy to drive innovation in low-carbon building materials to help export Canadian clean technology to the world. Housing policy is critical to our environmental ambitions, supporting an economic recovery, and solving the affordability crisis is necessary to grow the clean economy Canada deserves. Our team researches the policy mechanisms at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels to increase the supply of housing to create family-friendly, climate-friendly communities.

 

Accountabilities as a Research Associate

  • Assists in the translation of academic research by the SPI Research Network into reports and policy products (e.g. SPI Policy Briefs) that will reach policy makers and inform the development of market-based instruments and other innovative policy approaches to advance environmental and economic goals.
  • Assists Senior Research Associates and the Policy Director in writing, researching, and producing high quality original reports and policy briefs. The intention of these reports is to ensure the Institute becomes a highly visible, credible, and effective voice on clean growth, nature conservation, sustainable agriculture, and clean innovation in Canada.
  • Tracks major research trends and policy developments related to environmental economy, in Canada and globally, to inform SPI’s work. Collaborates with the SPI team to develop a policy-relevant research agenda.
  • Conducts research projects by collecting and analyzing data, as well as assisting in the administration of interviews.
  • Assists, as needed, in internal and external review processes to ensure high quality research products.
  • May be responsible for a single independent research project.
  • Performing other related duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

 

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Essential Qualifications for a Research Associate

  • Recent master’s graduate in a relevant field for the research program being applied to (preferred), or a minimum of bachelor’s degree plus relevant working experience in a related field.

  • Two years of relevant work experience (preferred) or an equivalent combination of experience and training in a related field.

  • Strong research, writing, and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize and analyze large quantities of data.

  • Fluency in English is required. Ability to communicate effectively in French is an asset.

  • Proven ability to apply sound judgement and ethics in research projects.

  • Proven ability to translate academic research to a general audience.

  • Ability to coordinate workflow.


Specific Qualifications for each team
 

Green Jobs and Skills

  • Experience conducting analyses using some of the following research techniques: Foresight analyses for labour markets, systems mapping, and skills identification and forecasting.

  • Ability to produce economic analyses, taking into consideration socio-economic variables related to economic and labour market conditions.

  • Experience with knowledge mobilization and/or stakeholder relationships around a particular policy issue, with emphasis on the need to communicate research findings and results to wide audiences.

  • Familiarity with workforce and skills training policy, including workforce training, skills training and education is an asset.

  • Familiarity with place-based policy research and regional economic development is an asset.

 

Equity and Justice

  • Ability to identify societal, cultural, and economic benefits of biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, ecosystem services, circular economy, and/or sustainable forest management.

  • Ability to conduct gender-based or intersectional analysis of climate change, energy transitions, energy democracy.

  • Ability to use data to inform strategy or policy development that considers some dimension of EDI

  • Ability to produce economic analyses and taking into consideration socio-economic variables related to economic and labour market conditions

  • Knowledge of the literature on Just Transitions, Energy Democracy, Environmental Justice, Climate Justice, Energy Justice, Renewable Energy Communities, Socio-Technical Transitions.

 

Housing

  • Familiarity with urban planning and municipal planning processes.

  • Familiarity with conducting housing demand analyses and modelling using credible, established methodologies.

  • Experience identifying and assessing economic, demographic, and social developments and analyzing their implications for housing and related economic and environmental policy

  • Ideally, some experience with stakeholder and community engagement.

 

Key Competencies

  • Creative thinking
  • Planning
  • Initiative
  • Result-orientation
  • Effective team member and leader
  • Collaborative


How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter that demonstrates how you meet the competencies. Candidates are welcome to apply to all policy teams where they meet identified job requirements. Candidates will be asked to select the policy team(s) they are applying for when submitting their application form.

The deadline for applications is July 20, 2022, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so apply early. This position may be filled prior to July 20, 2022, if the right candidate is found. Only applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada will be considered.

 

Click here to apply now

 

The Smart Prosperity Institute embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We are at our best when everyone has a seat at the table, and when we are made to feel like we belong. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons.

Please contact jobs@smartprosperity.ca if you have any questions about the role.

 

About Smart Prosperity Institute

Smart Prosperity Institute (formerly Sustainable Prosperity) is a national research network and policy think tank based at the University of Ottawa. We deliver world-class research and work with public and private partners – all to advance practical policies and market solutions for a stronger, cleaner economy.

Learn more at institute.smartprosperity.ca