The Transforming Climate Action (TCA) research and training program, managed and administered by the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) at Dalhousie University, brings together over 170 researchers from four partner universities (Dalhousie, UQAR, Laval, Memorial) spanning diverse disciplines such as oceanography, atmospheric science, Indigenous scholarship and knowledge, engineering, data science, marine law and policy, immigration policy, and social justice. The scientific strategy for Transforming Climate Action has three key objectives: (1) Reducing uncertainty, (2) Mitigating climate change, and (3) Adapting equitably. The MacEachen Institute will serve as the Policy Transformation Accelerator for the Transforming Climate Action program. The goal is to facilitate stronger connections between researchers, policy-makers, and key stakeholders by creating purposeful exchanges between these groups, and by generating meaningful contributions to, and thought leadership on important ocean-climate policy.
Reporting to the Scholarly Director, MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance, the Associate Director, Oceans will provide operational and strategic leadership in identifying and communicating ocean-climate policy priorities relevant to the three research themes of the TCA program. The Associate Director, Oceans will also have an obligation to provide quarterly reports to the TCA Scientific Directorate and Executive Council, as well as receive and address input from both of those committees. The Associate Director, Oceans will also be responsible for fulfilling priority activities of the Transformation Accelerator, as well as other activities, as applicable.
- Work with the research clusters to identify strategic policy priorities to fulfill the mission of the TCA program, in coordination with the CEO/Scientific Director, the Scientific Directorate, Scholarly Director, and Chief Innovation Officer.
- Interact with external bodies, including funding agencies, government, community, industry stakeholders, other public policy institutes, media, and the public working closely with OFI communications and Government Relations staff.
- Lead the development and execution of the Policy Transformation Accelerator activities including policy forums, roundtables, workshops, public panels.
- Translate science into succinct, accessible and impactful briefing notes and distribute them to mid-to-upper level civil servants, key stakeholders and to the broader public.
- Supervise the Project Coordinator, Oceans, in the tasks they perform in support of the TCA project.
- Encourage and support multi-disciplinary research opportunities related to the objectives of the TCA project and support the development of research grant applications.
The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.
Evening and weekend work may be required on an occasional basis to meet operational requirements.
- Master’s degree in a related field with 5 years of demonstrated experience in public policy, public administration, law, government relations or public affairs.
- Experience as an outstanding oceans/marine/coastal researcher with an understanding and awareness of public policy.
- Demonstrated experience in media and public relations.
- Ability to manage multi-year research projects, budget and staff.
- Strong communication skills with a background in communicating science to a general audience.
- Understanding of the government relations, public policy process and stakeholder engagement.
Compensation: $65,000 to $70,000 per year
Application deadline: July 3, 2024
