Public policy research, Low-carbon buildings

Position: Policy Research Associate (Sectoral Innovation)
Organization: Efficiency Canada
Location: Remote, anywhere in Canada, Ontario preferred

Position Overview

The Policy Research Associate (Sectoral Innovation) will explore a hidden, complex, area of Canada’s economy – the businesses, organizations, workers, and innovators that make Canada more energy efficient. The ideal candidate should love talking with people, compiling quantitative and qualitative information into understandable data sets and visualizations, and exploring the policies that trigger economic change. They should want to apply these skills to make our buildings healthy, productive, low-carbon, and regenerative.

This position involves ongoing policy tracking, research and writing of short and long-form reports, assisting in the organizing and facilitating workshops, delivering presentations, and collaborating with external stakeholders. As a member of the Policy Research Team at Efficiency Canada, the Policy Research Associate (Sectoral Innovation) will report to the Director of Research, assist the Director of Buildings Policy in delivering on Efficiency Canada’s strategic objectives, and contribute to cross-functional project and campaign teams in Efficiency Canada’s Buildings Policy Area.

Key Responsibilities

Monitor, evaluate, and communicate updates on energy efficiency policy developments within Efficiency Canada. This includes:

• Tracking designated policy area developments and maintaining Efficiency Canada’s systems to recall/review developments by stakeholder, policy issue, or province
• Synthesizing and analysing policy area developments and assessing significance toward Efficiency Canada strategic policy goals or ongoing research projects
• Providing updates via team meetings, written products, or presentations to inform Efficiency Canada campaigns and projects

Design, manage and deliver Efficiency Canada research projects, in collaboration with the Director of Research. This includes:

• Contributing to research project idea identification, and initial research design/research guide preparation;
• Coordinated management of assigned research tasks and/or projects, using Efficiency Canada’s project management processes;
• Communicating updates on research developments, timelines adjustments, blockages and successes via appropriate internal channels (e.g., team meetings, supervisor 1-1s);
• Timely execution of assigned research deliverables, such as databases, policy briefs, blogs, and reports;

Effectively communicate and disseminate Efficiency Canada’s organizational mission, values, knowledge products and policy positions to external audiences. This includes:

• Expressing ideas clearly and succinctly via short-form written work (e.g., blogs, op-eds, one-pagers), when such tactics are identified as strategically valuable;
• Representing Efficiency Canada and presenting policy information or analysis in public settings, such as conferences, workshops, webinars, and media appearances;
• Cultivate external professional networks to advance Efficiency Canada’s work and strategic objectives;

Active participation in internal teams and meetings to advance Efficiency Canada work. This includes:

• Policy team meetings, to update others on project status and ask/answer questions to promote knowledge sharing and learning;
• Internal teams, such as campaign or policy area teams, to bring research and policy expertise and insight to collective initiatives;
• Efficiency Canada-facilitated external meetings, such as communities of practice, to further develop and disseminate knowledge

Conduct research and stakeholder engagement for sectoral mapping and analysis of industrial dynamics in the energy efficiency sector, particularly (but not exclusively) in buildings retrofitting.

• Jurisdictional scan of market-shaping policies, programs and regulations
• Canadian expertise and application in modern methods of construction, e.g., off-site construction, pre-cut materials and modular components, digital tools, artificial intelligence.
• Research and publish report on Canadian retrofit “system of innovation”

Qualifications

1. Graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, economics, political science, environmental studies, innovation studies) or four+ years of work experience in public policy field
2. Research and analysis skills with qualitative and/or quantitative data, and demonstrated ability to produce professional reports in a timely fashion
3. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Comfortable making presentations and writing on tight deadlines.
4. Demonstrated ability to work remotely and collaboratively in team-based settings
5. Commitment to valuing diversity and equity, contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
6. Some experience in project management is an asset.
7. French language proficiency is an asset.
8. Legally able to work in Canada.
9. Comfortable working in a remote environment.

Reporting Structure: The Policy Research Associate reports directly to the Director of Research at Efficiency Canada.

Location: This position operates remotely. Preferably in Ontario.

Compensation: $78,000 - $80,000 annually

Benefits include:

• 22 vacation days per year (and your birthday off!)
• 18 wellness days
• Health benefits
• $500 office fund + computer if needed
• $2500 professional development
• Remote-first work, with opportunities to meet in person and travel to meet with staff

To Apply:

The deadline for application is April 24, 2026 at noon (ET). Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we will review applications on a rolling basis.

To apply for this opportunity, submit a single PDF with your cover letter and resume to HR@efficiencycanada.org . Name your file "Last Name, First Name" and use the subject line “Policy Research Associate”. In your application please specity:

• Are you legally able to work in Canada?
• Where are you currently located?
• Do you have any concerns with working in a remote-first environment?
• What is your availability to start work?
• Have you reviewed the salary? Does it align with your expectations?
• Why are you interested in working with Efficiency Canada?

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About Efficiency Canada

Efficiency Canada is the national voice for an energy efficient economy. We envision a future where Canada uses energy efficiency to its fullest potential. Efficiency Canada is housed at Carleton University’s Sustainable Energy Research Centre, which is located on the traditional unceded territories of the Algonquin nation.