May 7, 2024
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Deadline for application: June 15, 2024, 5 pm (EST)
Start date: As soon as possible
Salary: Salary commensurate with level of education and experience
Duration: One-year renewable term
Location: Montreal, Canada
Position overview
We are seeking a Research and Development Lead to join Sustainability in the Digital Age and the Future Earth Canada Global Hub on a one-year contract, subject to renewal. The position has a broad mandate, supporting efforts across the organization and directly reporting to the Executive Director of Sustainability in the Digital Age and Director of Future Earth Canada Global Hub. The ideal candidate must be bilingual (French and English) and have a doctoral degree in environmental science, science and technology studies, sustainability studies, or related domain. Multi-tasking, strong written and oral communication skills (tailored for different audiences), and ability to work under pressure of deadlines are a must.
Knowledge of issues related to the intersection of sustainability and digitalization, global science-policy processes, and the Canadian funding landscape will be considered a strong asset. Likewise, experience leading a team, liaising with a diversity of stakeholders, and writing fundraising proposals are beneficial.
Description
The Research and Development Lead will coordinate, advance, and contribute to activities related to research, partnerships, and funding at the Future Earth Canada Global Hub as mandated by the Executive Director. Specific tasks and duties may be modified by the Executive Director as needed. This includes, but is not limited, to the following tasks and responsibilities:
- Coordinate the teams working on scientific research projects, advise and support research and analysis when needed;
- Coordinate and contribute to the development of project outputs and communications – including e.g., scientific publications, public-facing briefings, reports, social media communications, and news articles;
- Liaise with external advisors and partners collaborating on various projects, coordinate the development of presentations and other background materials to share with advisors and partners;
- Participate in and otherwise contribute to external events (hosted by partner and other organizations), to increase the visibility of Future Earth and Sustainability in the Digital Age;
- Build relationships and develop collaborations with external partners;
- Oversee workshop coordination and organization, including e.g. curating participant lists and co-developing agendas, preparatory materials, and outputs;
- Contribute to identifying funding opportunities, writing grants, drafting concept notes, and other efforts to ensure Future Earth and Sustainability in the Digital Age’s long-term success; and
- Oversee the production of financial reports and other funding requirements.
Candidate qualifications and key competencies
- Min. 3 years of experience in providing strategic guidance on scientific research related to sustainability science, digital technology, policy, and society
- Strong knowledge of current issues in sustainability science and digital transformations
- Deep understanding of the international science-policy interface and the public, private, and non-profit sustainability science landscape
- Significant experience with fundraising for and promotion of action-oriented scientific research
- A good network of individuals and institutions actively working on sustainability science and digital transformations
- Experience in managing and leading a research team
- Excellent spoken and written English and French
- PhD and research experience in a relevant domain is a must
- Experience in building out smaller initiatives
- This position is based in Montreal.
About the organizations
Sustainability in the Digital Age (SDA) grew out of a Future Earth Canada Hub initiative to explore how digital innovation can be used to support healthy people and a healthy planet, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In 2022, SDA became the first sustainability think tank at Concordia University, and now hosts the Future Earth Canada Hub.
Concordia University is a next-generation university, continually reimagining the future of higher education. Located in the vibrant multicultural city of Montreal, Concordia is the top-ranked university in North America founded within the last 50 years and annually registers some 51,000 students through its innovative approach to experiential learning and cross-functional research.
Future Earth is an international research program with a mission to accelerate transformations to global sustainability. A key part of Future Earth’s work occurs through our networks that generate research at the forefront of sustainability science and facilitate highly integrative sustainability research on key societal challenges.
The Secretariat for Future Earth encompasses nine Global Hubs located in Canada, China, France, India, Japan, South Africa, Sweden, Taipei, and the United States. The Future Earth Secretariat provides coordination, facilitation and enabling services to Future Earth’s community.
One key focus of the Future Earth Canada Hub is to work through its partnership with SDA to leverage the digital age to advance sustainability science to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and build an equitable society in support of Future Earth’s global priorities. Other priority areas may develop through consultation with core constituencies throughout Canada.
Application procedure
As the position is based in Montréal, the applicant must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Applicants are requested to submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing how their skills and experiences meet the requirements of the overall role. Please also include the name and contact details for two references. Documents should be combined in a single PDF file. Applications should be sent via email with ‘Research and Development Lead’ in the subject line to montrealhub@futureearth.org by June 15, 2024, 5:00 pm (EST). Interviews will be held in person. Only selected candidates will be contacted.