Join the country’s most trusted environmental organization and become a force for good.

ABOUT US

We find solutions for living within the limits of nature. Through a combination of evidence-based science and active public engagement, we seek to motivate Canadians to take action on the pressing environmental challenges we collectively face. With headquarters in Vancouver and regional offices in Toronto and Montreal, we address issues from coast to coast to coast, in both official languages. With the support of scientists, academics, progressive businesses, governments, non-governmental organizations and hundreds of thousands of Canadian we aim to achieve this vision: “That within a generation Canadians act on the understanding that we are interconnected and interdependent with nature, and with each other.”

CURRENT ORGANIZATIONAL PRIORITIES

Our 2015-2016 Annual Plan lists three programmatic priorities. The Science and Policy Department is involved with all three, and leads on the Climate & Energy project:

1. Climate & Energy: We are commencing a multi-year program that addresses Canada’s shift to a low carbon economy. The focus is on the clean energy and technology sector, as well as sustainable transportation in our largest cities.

2. The Right to a Healthy Environment: We are working to enshrine environmental rights as core Canadian values. Enshrining these rights will lead to strengthened environmental laws and better enforcement of existing legal protections so that air, water, soil quality are maintained.

3. First Nations Engagement: We are reviewing our approach to First Nations Engagement, with a focus on the kinds of projects we will undertake, and the relationships we hope to develop.

Position Title: Director, Science and Policy

Band: D, Director

Terms: Permanent, full-time position

Reporting: The Director, Science and Policy reports to the CEO

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director performs a key role in the organization, and is critical to fulfilling DSF’s mission. Responsibilities include:

1. Holds core accountability for the quality and credibility of science at DSF.

Being grounded in science is a “distributed quality” that underpins all that the organization does, but the Director of Science and Policy has a unique role in helping to define what science is at DSF, how it is used, ensuring that different perspectives are heard (for example, Indigenous knowledge), and that core research has been tested and peer reviewed.

DSF’s Science Integrity Policy and the Aboriginal Peoples Policy are guiding documents.

2. Builds a strong, collaborative, multi-disciplinary internal team, and an external network of scientists, researchers, technicians and policy experts.

The strength of the Department is dependent on the calibre of the people who work in it. The Director develops a team that can support the entire organization in its projects and research, but also pursue core projects that the Department leads.

The Department will also build collaborative relationships with other organizations and partners in order to fulfill its science and policy goals. Partners include academic research institutions, local government, environmental organizations and First Nations.

Success will be measured by having the right skills to address the issues the organization is facing, and creating a high-performing team.

3. Leads national projects and supports regional work.

The Department undertakes and coordinates work at the national scale. This includes work on climate change, clean energy, ecosystem sciences, environmental health, and fields that help create resilient and adaptive communities.

In addition, the Department supports the work of the Regions, who are undertaking regional projects and initiatives that require skills and experience that are present in the Departmental team.

4. Leads and coordinates the Government Relations function at DSF.

Government Relations is also a distributed function at DSF, but providing overall coordination and leadership is a responsibility of the Director of Science and Policy. This includes maintaining a data base of core contacts, educating the rest of the organization of government relations protocols, and ensuring DSF maximizes its relationship with key political and policy staff figures.

5. Holds core accountability for determining the long term research agenda.

Over the longer term, DSF will supplement its focus on project-based science and policy research, to one of identifying gaps where new research is required. This is core to ensuring the organization’s role in adding new knowledge to critical issues, but also helping to fulfill DSF’s charitable purpose.

6. Participates as a member of DSF’s management team to ensure the overall success and impact of the organization.

Senior Directors at DSF are responsible for the overall health and success of the organization, as well as their departments. That means working effectively as a management team, building strong relationships with funders, and prioritizing organizational objectives first.

Education and Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience of leading a high functioning team;

• A master’s level degree in a relevant discipline;

• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the fields that DSF focusses on (energy, conservation, economics, environmental rights, environmental health, marine sciences);

• Experience in more than one sector (government, academic, non-profit, and/or business), with a strong network of contacts;

• Strategic planning and financial management experience, as this role is embedded in the budgeting process at a strategic level;

• Solid knowledge of the political landscape and scientific and policy context of sustainability work in Canada;

• Experience working with organizations where the values fit with DSF’s mission.

Skill sets and qualities

• Successful leadership and management skills; preferably within a matrix organizational structure (project and department);

• Collaborative and empowering management style;

• Change management: proven success leading people through change, including changes to processes, systems and technology, job roles and organizational structure. 

• Systems thinker with proven strategic planning and strong project management skills;

• Fluent English skills required, French language skills are highly desired (intermediate level or better spoken French);

• Networking and alliance-building experience; and liaising with senior levels of government, NGOs and business;

• Confident negotiation, facilitation and conflict management skills;

• Experience building shared vision and effective collaboration through dialogue and other stakeholder engagement techniques;

• Successful planning, fundraising, project and budget management experience;

• Effective communications, internally with staff and externally as an organizational spokesperson.

Application process: 

Please submit your cover letter and resume explaining why you are interested in this opportunity by going online to: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/about/employment/ and clicking on the "I'm Interested" link.  

The deadline for applications will be August 2nd 2015.

We recognize the importance of a diverse workforce and encourage applications from Aboriginal people, members of a visible minority and people with a disability.