Policy Advisor, Energy Program

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.

About IISD'S Energy Program

IISD’s Energy Program (www.iisd.org/energy) supports governments globally in accelerating the shift from fossil fuels to clean energy, promoting social welfare and sustainable economic development. 

Our team of over 40 experts is spread across offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, as well as remote locations in India, Indonesia, South Africa, and beyond. Our work ranges from global policy research to hands-on national-level projects in countries including Indonesia, Canada, India, and South Africa. 

In Indonesia, IISD has been actively supporting the energy transition for over a decade. This includes work on subsidy reform, carbon pricing, fiscal policy, and renewable energy initiatives. 

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is seeking a dynamic and skilled Policy Advisor to support its Energy Program in Indonesia. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to Indonesia’s clean energy transition by engaging in cutting-edge research and policy development in collaboration with local and international experts. 

About the Role

The Policy Advisor will play a key role in advancing IISD’s mission in Indonesia by conducting research, managing projects, and engaging with stakeholders on energy transition issues. You will work on topics such as: 

• Fiscal policies: Analyzing the impact of taxes and subsidies on renewable energy and electric vehicles.
• Policy effectiveness: Evaluating measures to promote electric mobility and renewable power.
• State-owned enterprise reform: Reviewing ongoing transitions in publicly owned companies and the impact on the energy sector, consumers, and communities.

You will collaborate with Indonesian and international colleagues to produce high-quality reports, policy briefs, and communications materials. 

Key responsibilities include

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative research on Indonesia’s energy policies.
• Support project management and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with civil society organizations, researchers, and policy-makers.
• Prepare analysis, reports, and publications to inform policy discussions.
• Represent IISD in national and international forums as needed.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Qualifications- Indonesian nationality, residence, or valid work permit required. 

• - Master’s degree in energy, engineering, economics, social sciences, environmental studies, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience may be considered. 

Experience

- At least 5 years of professional experience in energy policy, climate finance, or related fields. 

- Familiarity with engaging government ministries, state-owned enterprises, or regulatory bodies is a plus. 

Technical Skills

- Proficiency in quantitative research methods, as well as collection and processing of datasets from publicly available datasets and proprietary survey data. 

- Experience with qualitative research tools (e.g., structured interviews, focus groups). 

- Understanding of Indonesia’s energy sector, including key ministries and stakeholders

Core Competencies

• Familiarity with sustainable development and the policy theory and current agenda on climate and energy.

• Strong communication and networking skills.
• Ability to produce “publication-ready” work with minimal oversight.
• Highly organized and capable of managing multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• An entrepreneurial approach to work, taking initiative within the team and ready to develop new skills, increase responsibility, and build experience in fundraising.
• Collaborative mindset with sensitivity to cultural diversity.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) essential. Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia is highly desirable.

Additional Skills 

• Experience working with state-owned enterprises on energy transition projects.
• Experience working within energy policy think tanks.
• Expertise in economic modelling, policy impact analysis, or subsidy estimation.
• Existing professional networks in Indonesia’s energy or policy sectors.
• Knowledge of data analysis tools like R, STATA, or Power BI.
• Familiarity with just transition policies and social protection reform

Location: remote based in Indonesia (preference for Jakarta); occasional travel required.

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience.

Employment type: Full-time (2-year contract, extendable based on funding). 

Start Date: As soon as possible 

Closing Date: January 13, 2025, 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 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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