Director of Policy & Community Action (Full-time, Permanent)

Overview

Location: Our office is located in Toronto, Ontario; however, this position can be located anywhere in Canada with flexible / hybrid / and remote work arrangements available. (Some in-person meetings in Toronto will be required.)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Job Posting Closing Date: July 22, 2024

About us:

At the heart of Community Food Centre Canada’s work is the belief that food is a basic right. We bring people together around good food so communities can thrive. With more than 400 partners across the country, we build inclusive, culturally responsive Community Food Centres, share knowledge, create health-focused programs, and advocate for equitable policy change.

At Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC), we work on behalf of good food for all. Our collective approach at CFCC is founded on dignity and respect, equity and empathy. These values are core to our mission and outlined in our Good Food Principles.

CFCC is strongly committed to equity and inclusion within its community. We especially welcome applications from members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. We are committed to an equitable and inclusive selection process and work environment.

We welcome candidates to speak about how their experience has demonstrated a commitment to Equity, Inclusion, Reconciliation and Anti-Oppression.

About the position:

Nearly one in four people in Canada lack the money to put good food on the table — for racialized Canadians the situation is much worse.  At Community Food Centres Canada, we know that eliminating food insecurity and ensuring Canada lives up to its commitment to respect, protect and fulfill the right to food can only be achieved when Canadians have enough income and stability to meet their needs. This depends on equitably implemented public policy solutions that support income and social security. It’s for this reason we created our Poverty Action Unit (PAU).

As the Director of Policy and Community Action, you will be tasked with shaping and steering the Poverty Action Unit, helping to turn good ideas and the power of community into progressive policy change at the federal level. Reporting to the CEO, you will lead the Poverty Action Unit team, working closely with other CFCC departments such as Programs, Development, Communications and Research and Evaluation to drive more equitable policy.

Responsibilities

Advocacy and government relations: As the Director of Policy and Community Action, you will  build strong relationships and advocacy capacity to be an impactful voice with federal decision makers on income security. This includes:
– Drive policy change in Canada by building relationships with key decision makers and proactively engaging government on income and social policy solutions
– Prepare a range of materials for government (i.e. budget submissions, briefs), represent CFCC in key policy conversations and support CFCC’s senior leadership for meetings with policymakers
– Ensure compliance with relevant lobbying rules across CFCC’s activities

Mobilizing good policy ideas: You will work to spark awareness and engagement through advocacy, making income security policy accessible and urgent to Canadians. This includes:
– Develop, oversee and advance our policy strategy, framework and roadmap, contributing to a policy advocacy approach grounded in equity, inclusion, reconciliation and anti-oppression
– Proactively identify and act on opportunities to shape policy and political conversations and decisions, acting as a strategist and champion for good ideas
– Act as Knowledge-Translator-In-Chief: clearly connecting the technical mechanics of income security programs to the lived experiences of Canadians
– Lead the creation of engaging, persuasive policy and campaign materials and campaigns for a wide range of audiences, including holding the pen on key materials
– Create opportunities for knowledge exchange across partner organizations and thought leaders working in poverty reduction and social and economic justice
– Convene leaders, researchers and supporters to develop effective coalitions to pursue income security policy change

Community mobilization: You will be responsible for grounding policy conversations in lived experience by aligning CFCC’s national public policy activities and local civic engagement work. This includes:
– Collaborate with and build the capacity of our partners in their local advocacy efforts
– Broaden participation and grassroots engagement in CFCC’s federal advocacy work, including information campaigns
– Bring the perspectives, stories, and lived experiences of community members and front-line workers within our network of community food organizations to make better federal income security policy
– Ensure community stories are shared in a respectful, ethical and dignified manner with equitable representation of the diversity of the community

Organizational leadership and strategy: Leading a team of 3-5 professionals, you will be responsible for developing work plans, managing staff, raising funds and ensuring strong results. This includes:
– Provide strategic direction and guidance to a team of policy and community mobilization professionals, supporting their development and success
– Work collaboratively with other departments, including Programs, Development, Communications and Research and Evaluation to ensure alignment, integration and the necessary funds are in place for the department (i.e. proposal and report writing)
– Implement an Equity and Inclusion framework for the department in partnership with colleagues and ensure accountability for results

Qualifications

Required:
– Over 7 years of experience shaping policy, whether from within government or in a public policy advocacy/government relations role
– Demonstrated track record of success achieving policy change
– A talent for making complex ideas understandable, including exceptional narrative, writing, and editing skills for different formats and audiences
– Experience leading teams, managing staff, resources and peers
– Experience working within or alongside grassroots and/or community-based organizations to mobilize collective efforts and/or build engaged movements
– Knowledge of and experience in community mobilizing and organizing within social movements – ranging from in-person to digital techniques.
– A strong understanding of the policy issues that impact Canadians with low incomes, including social programs and income security programs
– Experience with proactive stakeholder outreach and relationship management, bringing diverse actors together towards shared goals
– Passion for CFCC’s mission and for improving the dignity and well-being of Canadians with low incomes through better public policy
– Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and reconciliation through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias
– Meets lobbying requirements for federal government
– French language skill is an asset

Why work for us?
We offer:

➔ Comprehensive benefits package including extended health, dental, life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, membership in a defined benefit pension plan, 15 paid vacation days in your first year, increasing to 20 paid vacation days in your second year of employment, a December break (usually a week) to recharge, wellness days, access to an Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities
➔ a culture of mutual support where staff are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive Canada
➔ an opportunity to be part of a movement building health, belonging and social justice in low-income communities across Canada through the power of food

 

 

Tagged as: Policy Analysis/Development, Nonprofit

Compensation

Hiring Range: $100,000 – $115,000 annually, including a comprehensive benefits plan, pension plan, 3 weeks paid vacation, increasing to 4 weeks paid vacation in your second year of employment, a December break (usually a week) to recharge, wellness days, access to an Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities

How to Apply

To apply, please click here. Please attach your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please share what you think makes you an ideal candidate for this role. Only those applicants being considered will be contacted. If you require any accommodations or technical support, please email work@cfccanada.ca (please do not email your application to this email). Thank you for your interest in CFCC.