Water Resource Management Professional

About Us

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is a world-renowned freshwater research facility featuring 58 small lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada. For over five decades, our scientists have conducted groundbreaking whole-ecosystem experiments and made significant scientific discoveries related to pressing environmental issues such as acid rain, mercury pollution, algal blooms, and pharmaceutical chemicals in water.

We operate under the umbrella of the International Institute for Sustainable Development—an independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 territory, traditional land of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and homeland of the Métis Nation.

Scope

The Program Manager plays a pivotal role in the administration of the IISD-ELA program. This position involves planning, organizing, directing, controlling work plans and financial resources, implementing and evaluating activities, reporting, and managing the overall program cycle. Key responsibilities include developing donor reports that draw on the environmental and social impacts of scientific research, managing operational requirements of the facility, advising/train staff, representing the organization with government donors, and participating in organizational policy development.

Main Responsibilities

1. Administer the IISD-ELA program to support scientific research on environmental protection.
2. Plan, organize, direct, and control delivery of program activities, including managing financial and human resources.
3. Evaluate program activities for regulatory compliance and performance management.
4. Support operations of the IISD-ELA facility.
5. Establish administrative procedures, improve processes, and support development of IISD policies and practices, and provide training to staff.
6. Represent IISD-ELA program with government donor liaison.
7. Corporate Secretary to the IISD-ELA Board.
8. Contribute more broadly to institutional functions, including hiring processes.

Key Responsibilities

A) Manage human, financial, and technical resources for the delivery of the IISD-ELA Program:

1. Manage the IISD-ELA program, with a specific focus on framework agreements, to support research on environmental protection and freshwater science.
2. Work with the water research science team, perform program administration tasks for framework agreements, develop partner contracts, and prepare and monitor consultant/associate contracts.
3. Plan, administer, and control program budgets (including yearly targets and HR planning) and support annual budget processes.
4. Support operations of the IISD-ELA facility (Kenora), including approvals for asset procurement, infrastructure projects, and insurance.
5. 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.
6. Participate in recruitment and selection committees.

Evaluation and Reporting

1. Evaluate the IISD-ELA program based on strategic objectives and track progress against key performance indicators.
2. Facilitate external and internal evaluations of program activities and facility operations.
3. Develop processes and standards for funder reporting.
4. Represent the organization in meetings with government and funders and as part of governance arrangements.

Policies and Governance

1. Keep updated with IISD policies related to program management and delivery, and advise staff on processes/procedures and provide training.
2. Assist in the development of new policies and procedures to implement programs and set strategic direction.
3. Participate in IISD's Project Managers and Operations Committee. Implement project management policies and procedures, prepare briefs for committees as they evolve, and contribute to policy improvement.
4. Provide consistent messaging when dealing with staff.

Governance (Corporate Secretary)

1. Develop administrative procedures for the IISD-ELA Board to meet objectives set by the board and senior management.
2. Plan meetings and develop agendas in collaboration with management. Support board chair on meeting rules of order.
3. Advise on compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, adherence to corporate governance principles and IISD's by-laws. Review and update by-laws and Committee terms of reference.
4. Maintain accurate corporate records and effective filing under records management policy and manage board-related budget expenses.
5. Provide orientation to new board members and executives on their roles and responsibilities.

Qualifications

1. 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; or a relevant combination of education and experience.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Experience in sustainability and partnership brokering is considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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

Salary

CAD $80,000–CAD $100,000 (salary commensurate with experience)

Benefits Package

1. Wage increases possible subject to annual performance review
2. Accidental Death and Dismemberment
3. Employee and Family Assistance Plan
4. Extended Healthcare, Vision and Dental Benefits
5. Health and/or Lifestyle Spending Account
6. Life Insurance
7. Parental Leave Benefits
8. RRSP Matching
9. Short- and Long-term Disability
10. Wellness program
11. Bonuses possible at employer discretion