Environmental Management Director

About IISD Experimental Lakes Area

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is a world-renowned freshwater research facility. It comprises 58 small lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada.

For over 50 years, scientists at IISD-ELA have conducted whole-ecosystem experiments and made significant scientific discoveries related to issues such as acid rain, mercury from air pollution, algal blooms, and pharmaceutical chemicals in water.

The facility is operated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development—an independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional land of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and homeland of the Métis Nation.

Program Manager Role

This is a pivotal role in the administration of the IISD-ELA program. Reporting to the Interim Executive Director, this position involves planning, organizing, directing, controlling work plans and financial resources/budgets, implementing and evaluating activities, reporting, and managing the overall program cycle.

Main Responsibilities

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• Administer the IISD-ELA program to support scientific research on environmental protection.
  
• Plan, organize, direct, and control delivery of program activities, including managing financial and human resources.
  
• Assist with financial management and control budgets for programs, equipment, and support services.
  
• Evaluate program activities for regulatory compliance and performance management.
  
• Support operations of the IISD-ELA facility (Kenora).
  
• Establish administrative procedures, improve processes, and support development of IISD policies and practices, and provide training to staff.
  
• Support operational policy development by preparing reports and briefs for management committees and working groups.
  
• Direct and advise professional/non-professional staff on program delivery.
  
• Corporate Secretary to the IISD-ELA Board.
  

Detailed Tasks

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• Manage human, financial, and technical resources for the delivery of the IISD-ELA Program:
  
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  • Manage the IISD-ELA program, with a specific focus on framework agreements, to support research on environmental protection and freshwater science.
    
  • Work with the water research science team, perform program administration tasks for framework agreements, develop partner contracts, and prepare and monitor consultant/associate contracts.
    
  • Plan, administer, and control program budgets (including yearly targets and HR planning) and support annual budget processes.
    
  • Support operations of the IISD-ELA facility (Kenora), including approvals for asset procurement, infrastructure projects, and insurance.
    
  • Maintain contact with core departments and administration in the head office. Support new projects by writing proposals and budgets, donor liaison, and collaborate on joint proposals.
    
  
  
• Evaluate the IISD-ELA program based on strategic objectives and track progress against key performance indicators.
  
• Facilitate external and internal evaluations of program activities and facility operations.
  

Governance

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• Develop administrative procedures for the IISD-ELA Board to meet objectives set by the board and senior management.
  
• Plan meetings and develop agendas in collaboration with management.
  
• Advise on compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, adherence to corporate governance principles and IISD's by-laws.
  
• Maintain accurate corporate records and effective filing under records management policy and manage board-related budget expenses.
  
• Provide orientation to new board members and executives on their roles and responsibilities.
  

Qualifications

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• 10+ years of experience in program/project management, including financial management, outcomes tracking, and funder reporting, including a minimum of 3 years working in the water sector; an advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in relevant fields, preferably with a focus on economics, sustainable development, natural resource management, or accounting;
  
• Experience working directly with both Canadian federal and/or provincial governments and within the international development sector, including a strong understanding of funding arrangements and requirements for a range of donors in the sector.
  
• Experience in corporate governance, including developing governance procedures, and implementing policies to ensure transparency and accountability. Additionally, familiarity with relevant laws and regulations governing corporate governance is advantageous.
  
• Experience in sustainability and partnership brokering is considered an asset.
  

Key Skills

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• Extensive program and project management (including planning, budgeting, contract management, financial and human resourcing, liaison, outcomes tracking, and performance reporting).
  
• Proficiency with program monitoring applications, administration tools and reporting against key performance indicators (progress reporting, quality and financial reports, legal and policy regulations compliance).
  
• Experienced in developing comprehensive budgets and adept at monitoring financial performance.
  
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other project management tools.
  
• Knowledge of contracting systems and deliverables management.
  
• Results-oriented with a proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively, delivering accurate results within challenging time frames.
  
• Strong networking and interpersonal skills, able to foster productive relationships across diverse teams and stakeholders.
  
• Demonstrable skills in tracking project outcomes and deliverables.
  
• Experience working in fast-paced, multi-project environments.
  
• Fluent in written and spoken English; the ability to work in French is an asset.
  

Salary

CAD 80,000–CAD 100,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

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• Wage increases possible subject to annual performance review.
  
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment.
  
• Employee and Family Assistance Plan.
  
• Extended Healthcare, Vision and Dental Benefits.
  
• Health and/or Lifestyle Spending Account.
  
• Life Insurance.
  
• Parental Leave Benefits.
  
• RRSP Matching.
  
• Short- and Long-term Disability.
  
• Wellness program.
  
• Bonuses possible at employer discretion.
  

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request. 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. 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.