Job Description

Staff - Non Union
Job Category
M&P - AAPS
Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level A
Job Title
Senior Policy Researcher
Department
Research | Sonia Li Trottier | Peter A. Allard School of Law
Compensation Range
$5,365.42 - $7,709.92 CAD Monthly
The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.
Posting End Date
September 23, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
October 31, 2026
This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Summary
The Senior Policy Researcher, under the supervision of Director of the Canada Climate Law Initiative, will play a crucial role in leading the policy research, writing in-depth analysis, and meeting with key policymakers, regulators, and partners. The Senior Policy Researcher will be responsible for performing research and analysis, engaging with the policy and partners' ecosystem, and providing thought leadership.
The Senior Policy Researcher will benefit from opportunities to expand their professional network, engage in cutting-edge research collaboration, and receive support from leading Canadian scholars

Organizational Status
The Senior Policy Researcher reports to the Director, Canada Climate Law Initiative. Works with initiative and considerable autonomy under general supervision, but also collaboratively with the CCLI team. Maintains strong working relationships with Allard staff, as well as external partners. This role is visible to the external community, working with government and regulatory agencies, community partners, consultants, and the public.

Work Performed
Primary responsibilities will include, but non exclusively:
Research and policy engagement (70%)Carries out ongoing legal and policy research projects to advance CCLI's policy objectives, working at times with an interdisciplinary scholarly team. More specifically, but not exclusively, the Senior Policy Researcher will carry out legal and policy research with respect to mandatory climate-related disclosures for issuers and federally-regulated companies, greenwashing, international and national climate-related standards, and transition plans. Conducts and prepares comprehensive analyses used for CCLI policy briefing notes, letters, and submissions. Collects policy feedback from CCLI Director, Climate Governance Experts, external consultants, and partners in the ecosystem to better form policy recommendations. Identifies emerging trends in both domestic and international environments that may impact the organization's objectives and work. By identifying emerging trends, the Senior Policy Researcher can better provide recommendations. Maintains and updates databases that contain policy information, key contact information of senior policymakers, legislators, supervisors, and regulators. Leads research to provide support to key policymakers, legislators, supervisors, and regulators at the federal and provincial levels, such as Prime Minister Office, Finance Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institution, Canadian Securities Administrators, Alberta Securities Commission, Ontario Securities Commission, BC Financial Services Authority, etc. The support takes the form of briefs and memos, legal and policy recommendations, and meetings. Leads and/or attends meetings with key policymakers and regulators.

Ecosystem engagement and thought leadership (30%)Provides legal research to key partners in the sustainable finance ecosystem aligned with our objectives to advance sustainable finance regulations and policies. Attends webinars and meetings organized by our partners to represent CCLI, strengthen our relationships, and provide expertise. Builds and maintains excellent relationships with key stakeholders, including partners, consultants, policymakers, and regulators. Acts as a subject-matter expert for climate governance and sustainable finance policy during Chatham House roundtables, conferences, webinars, and other public engagement activities. Represents CCLI and presents research findings at high-level events and conferences. Provides thought leadership by writing blog posts for CCLI website. Communicates effectively with media in interviews.

Other responsibilities (10%)Works as part of the CCLI team by contributing to the strategy development and other program activities as required. Other duties may be assigned as required. Reads relevant published papers and reports. Stays well-informed on climate and ESG-related developments.


Consequence of Error/Judgement
Actions and decisions are critical in ensuring the reputation and success of CCLI. Errors in judgement may cause financial hardship or serious reputational damage. Incorrect decisions/judgments will directly affect CCLI's reputation.
This role exercises initiative and judgement in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion, and must demonstrate tact and discretion. The person works independently with considerable autonomy. Its work is reviewed in terms of achievement of defined metrics and overall regard of CCLI objectives. Makes decisions regarding policy research and engagement with key stakeholders. The performance of this position can have a major impact on how the CCLI is perceived by regulators and government bodies, and partners such as for-profit organizations, environmental non-government organizations, and civil society.
Error in the performance of duties or inappropriate disclosure of confidential information may adversely affect the image and reputation of CCLI, the Peter A. Allard School of Law, and the University.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Director of the Canada Climate Law Initiative.



Supervision Given

May assign work to student workers.



Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.



Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications
Strong preference given to those with a Law Degree (L.L.B, J.D.) and Master Degree.
Candidates will ideally have a completed PhD (or near completion) in corporate and securities law, financial services law, public policy, or related field with strong analytical skills and have published in the areas of corporate, securities or financial services law, Canadian public policy, climate risk and governance, disclosure, sustainable finance, or relevant areas.Demonstrated strong analytical and research skills. Excellent writing skills. Efficient communication skills. * Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset.