Policy Advocate

VOLUNTEER ROLE DESCRIPTION

Climate Resilient Communities ClimateLens Project | crc.place/climatelens

Role Title Policy Advocate

Function ClimateLens

Reports To Project Lead

Role Level Mid-Level (3–7 years experience)

Time Commitment 4–6 hours per week

Start Date April 1, 2026

Duration Ongoing

Check-in Frequency Bi-iweekly meetings

About Climate Resilient Communities

Climate Resilient Communities (CRC) is a volunteer-run not-for-profit operating under Transition Toronto. We work at the intersection of community, data & AI, and climate change to strengthen communities' capacity to bounce forward from climate impacts. Our mission is to help community groups effectively advocate for their needs and find solutions to environmental, social, and economic challenges exacerbated by the changing climate.

Learn more at https://crc.place

About the Project

ClimateLens is an evolving initiative at the intersection of climate change, data, and mental health. The project is currently transitioning from a research-focused mandate toward active advocacy — specifically around the mental health impacts of climate change on individuals and communities.

Our MVP roadmap reflects this evolution:

• MVP 1 (completed) — Understanding the the topics discussed about climate change on social media and the climate emotions detected within those conversations

• MVP 2 (in progress) — Understanding the connections between topics discussed about climate change on social media and the climate emotions detected within those conversations, and how these evolve dynamically over time

• MVP 3 — Building a taxonomy of climate anxiety: mapping, categorizing, and surfacing the emotional landscape of how people experience climate-related distress

This shift toward advocacy means ClimateLens is increasingly focused on translating data insights into real-world impact — informing mental health support systems, community conversations, and policy discussions around climate grief and anxiety. The Policy Advocate will be essential in ensuring these insights reach the people and institutions that can act on them.

Role Purpose

The Policy Advocate will bridge the gap between ClimateLens data insights and the broader advocacy ecosystem. This role is about translation and connection: transforming complex climate sentiment and eco-anxiety findings into accessible, compelling policy materials, and building the

https://crc.place/climatelens/ https://crc.place/

relationships with organizations, NGOs, and think tanks that can amplify ClimateLens' impact. As ClimateLens transitions from research to advocacy, this volunteer will play a foundational role in establishing its credibility and presence within the climate and mental health policy landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Synthesize ClimateLens findings on eco-anxiety and climate sentiment into policy briefs, insight summaries, and advocacy materials tailored to diverse audiences

• Identify, research, and map relevant advocacy groups, NGOs, think tanks, and policy organizations aligned with ClimateLens' mission

• Conduct outreach to potential partner organizations and cultivate collaborative relationships that extend the project's reach and credibility

• Track relevant policy developments — particularly those related to climate change, mental health, and environmental justice — and align ClimateLens outputs accordingly

• Support efforts to position ClimateLens as a credible, evidence-based tool within climate advocacy and policy discussions

Required Qualifications

• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to distill complex data and research into clear, compelling, and accessible materials for policy and advocacy audiences

• Background or demonstrated interest in public policy, environmental studies, law, climate advocacy, or a related field

• Ability to analyze data-driven insights and translate them into actionable recommendations for diverse stakeholders

• Self-motivated and comfortable conducting independent outreach and relationship-building with external organizations

• Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple outreach threads and track engagement progress

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Prior experience working with NGOs, think tanks, government bodies, or policy organizations

• Familiarity with climate change policy, environmental legislation, or mental health advocacy frameworks

• Knowledge of eco-anxiety, climate grief, or climate-focused mental health research

• Experience in volunteer or distributed team environments within nonprofit or social impact contexts

• Passion for climate justice, community empowerment, and evidence-based advocacy

Key Deliverables & Success Metrics

• At least 2–3 policy briefs or insight summaries per quarter, translating ClimateLens findings into actionable advocacy content

• A curated list of 15–20 potential advocacy partners, complete with contact details and a structured engagement plan

• Initial outreach and documented follow-up with at least 5 organizations within the first quarter

• A running tracker of relevant policy developments and how ClimateLens insights relate to them

• Positive feedback from the project team and external partners on the clarity, quality, and impact of advocacy materials

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application through the Google Form below. Please include a brief statement of interest explaining why you are passionate about this role and any relevant experience.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/s6ULESPkGP9UiiEq7

Climate Resilient Communities values diversity and inclusion, seeing volunteers as essential partners and co-creators. We value their diverse perspectives and community knowledge, encouraging them to challenge and guide our initiatives.

https://forms.gle/s6ULESPkGP9UiiEq7