Senior Policy Advisor

Job Title: Senior Policy Advisor Location: Remote-based, anywhere in the Philippines Contract Duration: 2-year contractual position with a possibility of extension subject to funding. (6-month probation period) Working hours: Full-time.

DRS is looking for a Senior Policy Advisor for an independent think tank working to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resource management, and fair economies.

Position Overview The Senior Policy Advisor contributes to the development, implementation, management, and reporting of research and outputs related to the Energy Program. They are expected to: Develop thematic expertise in a core focus area of the program and secure/manage related projects; and/or Develop generalist expertise across the program and manage multiple projects concurrently.

Program Scope The Energy Program supports governments in systematically shifting public financial flows from fossil fuels to clean energy, while promoting social welfare and sustainable development. The team is composed of over 40 experts based across several global offices and remote locations, including India, Indonesia, South Africa, and Canada. At both international and national levels, the program delivers research and policy support to drive energy reform, including carbon pricing, fossil fuel subsidy reform, and just energy transition strategies. Current focus countries include Canada, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, and South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of primary and secondary research in assigned thematic areas, such as the existing carbon pricing policy context or the policy support required to achieve national ambitions on transport electrification, working with a good deal of independence to ensure the successful completion of projects and working with contractors, as required.
• Deliver research and other project outputs to the required standard, including research reports, policy briefs, and technical reports, asking for guidance and advice as required to ensure the successful delivery of quality outputs.
• Undertake research and/or design and manage research conducted by more junior colleagues, consultants, and institutional partners, focusing on technical rather than financial deliverables, such as identifying and estimating the financial value of taxes and support policies related to energy; estimating the relative cost of different energy technologies through Excel-based models; estimating the micro- and macroeconomic impacts of changes in taxes and support policies related to energy, including impacts disaggregated by gender and other identities and impacts on household incomes; running consultations with policy and industry stakeholders; and designing schemes to pilot and evaluate the potential for specific policy solutions.
• Draft and take lead editorial responsibility for major English-language research reports and other project outputs to a publication-ready standard, including research reports, policy briefs, and technical reports.
• Develop and conduct capacity building for governments and regional and national parliamentary bodies on law and policy.
• Review existing laws and policies or draft relevant model laws/contracts.
• Contribute to tracking and influencing normative processes for relevant institutions and prepare commentaries, reports, and paper contributions for different processes.

Outreach and Communication

• Represent the organization in meetings, conferences, and stakeholder consultations.
• Maintain strong networks with government, academia, civil society, and private sector stakeholders.
• Produce knowledge products such as blogs, newsletters, webinars, and briefings.
• Coordinate with the Communications team to ensure impactful dissemination of policy outputs.

Strategy, Vision, and Team Leadership (within the specific projects/areas of thematic expertise to which they are assigned)

• Identify emerging policy gaps and recommend areas for program development.
• Supervise junior researchers and project consultants as needed.
• Promote a high-performance, learning-oriented team culture.
• Manage time and project inputs to meet deadlines and budgets.

Fundraising and Program Development

• Contribute to the development of new project proposals and funding applications.
• Build relationships with potential donors and strategic partners.

Operations and Logistics

• Participate in or coordinate project missions, consultations, and webinars.
• Assist with logistical planning, documentation, and stakeholder coordination.

Required Skills and Qualifications Qualifications

• A minimum of a master’s degree in energy, social science, politics, environment, and climate change or a relevant interdisciplinary program or equivalent.

Experience

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in energy and climate policy at a national or international level in one or both of the following areas: energy and climate policy research.
• Demonstrated experience in building new institutional relationships and partnerships through entrepreneurial outreach and networking.
• Demonstrated experience in producing high-quality briefing materials in support of policy research teams or meetings with policy-makers, ideally in the context of energy and climate policy.

Technical Skills

• An understanding of policy research processes and methods. The successful candidate will have experience working with researchers to develop messages and ideas for communication with policy-makers and civil society audiences.
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative research tools, such as structured interviews, political economy, or focus group research.
• Data-savvy with demonstrated analytical skills and the ability to think critically and learn fast. Strong attention to detail, including the ability to conduct quality control checks of one’s own work.
• An understanding of relevant ministries and departments related to energy, tax, trade, infrastructure development, and climate change, like power, petroleum, coal, electricity, renewable energy, electric mobility and transport, fiscal measures, and international trade, at both the national and subnational levels.

Core Competencies

• Familiarity with sustainable development, policy theory, and the current agenda on climate, energy, and transport transition.
• The ability to produce analysis and writing that is “publication-ready” with a limited degree of oversight and editing.
• “Can-do” work attitude and ability to work both independently and within teams, managing the workload and producing deliverables on time and to budget. Ability to work under pressure and meet deliverables under competing timelines.
• A strong team player with the ability to work collaboratively across different cultures and be inclusive and positive with different colleagues.
• Results-focused, with an ability to prioritize and work quickly and accurately over a range of tasks.
• Available to travel nationally on a regular basis, potentially internationally as required.
• Excellent analytical, research, oral, and writing skills in English and Filipino.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office/Teams applications and experience in handling web-based communications and management systems.