Policy Analyst

Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) is a national farmer- and rancher-led coalition advancing solutions that help the agriculture sector prosper in a changing climate. We offer peer-to-peer field programming that supports farmers and ranchers to adopt on-farm practices that build resilience and improve economic and environmental sustainability. We amplify farmer and rancher voices to policy-makers, industry, and financial institutions so that, together, we can build a future in which Canadian agriculture thrives.

FCS is seeking a Policy Analyst to help conduct policy research and analysis on climate and agriculture; to support the development of policy tools for advocacy (ex: reports, documents, briefings and surveys); to collaborate with members, partners, and the broader sector to inform policy priorities; and to provide background support for advocacy initiatives. 

Our farmer and rancher-led, solutions-oriented approach and distinct voice are helping to build bridges and shift the needle on climate change in agriculture in Canada. This is an opportunity to work with farmer and rancher leaders and partners across the country to advance policy solutions that support high resilience, low emissions farming and ranching.

Experience we are seeking 

The Policy Analyst will report to the Policy Director and will collaborate with the rest of the FCS team and with various policy advisory bodies, research task forces, and working groups. 

The information below describes the Policy Analyst, and the experience/qualifications needed to succeed in the job. If you possess approximately 80 percent of the essential experience/qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

Collaboratively produce and coordinate policy research, analysis, and recommendations on agriculture and climate in Canada by:

• Collecting and analyzing data and research to help develop and substantiate FCS policy priorities
• Developing and stewarding contract research to ensure it serves to support policy development and recommendations.
• Analyzing key government, industry, and international reports and publications on climate and agriculture, and synthesizing key findings for integration into FCS policy work
• Providing relevant background and review to help inform FCS policy research task forces, advisory bodies, and working groups advancing research, policy tools, and advocacy strategies
• Supporting the development, analysis, and dissemination of results from FCS-led polls, surveys, and other data collection tools
  
  

Experience/qualifications 

ESSENTIAL

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in related field 
• 5-7 years experience in a professional environment in a related field 
• Strong understanding of Canadian policy, as it relates to agriculture and climate change 
• A strong interest in and understanding of research on climate change, agronomy, agricultural economics, and behavioural social science in agriculture 
• Up-to-date understanding of the diversity of Canadian agriculture, and opportunities and challenges for climate adaptation and mitigation 
• Experience researching, synthesizing and analyzing complex information, tailoring messages to diverse audiences, and strategically integrating research findings into policy priorities  
• Capacity to work in a fast-paced environment and to react quickly to new opportunities, priorities, and risks or threats 
• A sharp eye for detail 
• Ability to communicate clearly and compellingly in written and verbal English
  

ASSET

• Ability to communicate clearly and compellingly in written and verbal French

Support the development of policy tools for sector engagement by:

• Supporting the drafting of policy tools like reports, briefing notes, presentations, etc.
• Supporting the preparation of policy briefings for FCS members 
• Helping to monitor and evaluate success of advocacy tools and projects, and adapt accordingly
  

Experience/qualifications 

ESSENTIAL 

• Experience developing policy material (briefing notes, etc.) for various audiences with clear, concise, and accessible language, while supporting the organization’s unique position and voice 

ASSET

• Experience analyzing statistical information and integrating relevant information into policy material (reports, briefing notes, etc.)
  
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning of policy tools and projects

Support sector engagement and government relations on policy priorities by:

• Supporting the background needs and facilitation of policy working and advisory groups
• Supporting relationships with key sector and industry partners and stakeholders on FCS policy priorities
  
• Advancing preparatory work needed for meetings with decision-makers, committee appearances, public consultations, and budget recommendations
• Organizing virtual and in-person advocacy events

Experience/qualifications 

ESSENTIAL 

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners towards a common goal
• Strong skills in engaged listening and diplomacy 
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and bridges among partners with diverse views and opinions
• Understanding of government relations strategies and tactics

ASSET

• Awareness and understanding of the diversity of challenges, values, and needs of farmers and ranchers, farming communities, and farming organizations in Canada 
• Experience reaching and engaging with academics, farmers, agricultural stakeholders, policy experts, and government representatives
  
• A strong understanding of Canadian governments and the ways in which they work
• Experience working with government and in government relations

Collaborating on the operations of the policy stream of work by:

• Contributing policy content and metrics to funder proposals and reports 
• Taking clear notes with action items at meetings and sharing with the relevant groups
• Helping to define and draft consultant scope of works and contracts
• Performing other duties to support and advance the work of FCS as required

Experience/qualifications 

ESSENTIAL

• Ability to manage work and deadlines independently and collaborate with a team and diverse stakeholders, ensuring colleagues are informed and able to contribute as needed 
• Solid computer skills and experience using Google Workspace and Zoom
• Experience in keeping accurate, detailed, and well organized meeting notes and records
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing project needs and priorities

ASSET

• Available to travel occasionally for meetings, retreats, or trainings
  
  

Term of employment and benefits available for this position

This is a full time, term position that begins as soon as possible and ends April 1, 2028 (with possibility of extension pending funding). You must be based in and have the legal right to work in Canada.

Benefits available for this position include:

• Extended health, pharmaceutical, and dental coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Pension plan
• 4 weeks of annual vacation, as well as emergency and sick leave (plus office closure between the Saturday before Christmas Eve and the Sunday after New Year’s Eve)
• Flexibility regarding working hours and location (Ottawa–Gatineau location considered an asset)
• 30 hour work week
• Salary starts at $82,059.98 with annual wage step increase to a top step of $89,287.44
• Benefits and protections as a member of the Public Service Alliance of Canada
  

FCS staff work remotely from locations across Canada. Staff require reliable internet service that allows for smooth online video and audio communication. FCS staff receive a computer, a contribution to a phone plan, and other support to facilitate work from home.

Commitment to Equity

FCS works within, and is representative of, a Canadian agricultural sector that has significant work to do to advance action for reconciliation and decolonization, improve intersectional analysis, and amplify the voices and leadership of equity-deserving farmers (i.e. young farmers, women farmers, farmers with disabilities, Black farmers, Indigenous farmers and food providers, farmers of colour, small-scale farmers, and 2SLGBTQ+ farmers). We are committed to policy and programming that acknowledges and serves the diversity within our sector. FCS believes that our sector, and our work as a coalition, will be stronger with decreased barriers to entry and better opportunities to succeed for equity-deserving individuals. If you belong to an equity-deserving group, we encourage you to apply to join our team and self-identify in your application if you feel comfortable doing so.

If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Application instructions

Please include a cover letter referencing your motivation to apply for this role, reflections on your relevant experience and skills, and any other information you would like to share, as well as a résumé. Please also include 2 writing samples with your application that showcase your ability to conduct research and analysis on a policy issue and/or develop policy material.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday November 4th, 2026 at 5:00 pm ET.

Only candidates short-listed for the position will be contacted. We are unable to accept questions about the position or recruitment. Thank you for your interest in working with Farmers for Climate Solutions!