Role Overview
As part of a shared leadership model with a Co-Director of Policy & Advocacy, the Director of Policy & Advocacy is responsible for co-leading the development of policy and advocacy strategies to engage government bodies, officials (both elected and unelected) and the public at the global and national level. The Director co-leads a multi-disciplinary team to implement the organization’s strategic goals to advance sexual and reproductive rights in global and domestic laws, policies, and programs.
As part of the management team, the Director of Policy & Advocacy joins five other Directors and the Executive Director in supervising the staff team and providing strategic leadership and direction for the organization. This position reports to the Executive Director.
Who We Are
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights is a progressive, pro-choice charitable organization committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive rights in Canada and globally. To achieve our mission, Action Canada engages in health promotion, legal and policy advocacy, campaigns, and movement-building.
We believe in a world where every person has control over their sexuality, reproduction, and gender expression. In our fight for sexual and reproductive rights for all, Action Canada challenges the systems that prevent all people from realizing the full range of their human rights.
For more information, visit www.actioncanadashr.org.
Who You Are
You are a seasoned advocate with experience developing policy positions as well as advocacy and campaign strategies. You also have experience with working within the not-for-profit/NGO/social justice sector as well as representing the priorities of an organization in multi-sector spaces. You actively apply an anti-racist and anti-oppression political analysis and practices to your work, including to the development of policies, advocacy strategies and engagement work. You possess a deep understanding of how government works which helps strategically advance advocacy goals. You have successfully supervised policy, advocacy and campaign staff in previous roles.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Director of Policy and Advocacy’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Build systems and processes to ensure the successful functioning of the policy & advocacy team under a co-leadership model.
- Lead the development of stakeholder engagement strategies to advance advocacy goals, including for Parliamentarians and their teams.
- Engage in direct advocacy with decision-makers towards advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada’s laws and policies, including Canada’s development assistance and foreign policy.
- Manage team of policy and advocacy officers working towards the advancement of the organization’s advocacy goals;
- Oversee grants and budgets, including proposal writing, tracking, and reporting, for multiple institutional funders, and identify new funding opportunities;
- Contribute to the continual development of the organizational political analysis, including on anti-oppression and anti-racism, as it relates to Action Canada’s internal and external work;
- Represent Action Canada among external audiences, partners, funders, the media, and civil society coalitions;
- Participate in meetings and decision-making as a member of the management team;
- Other duties as required.
Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent experience in a related field, such as Political Science, Law, Human Rights, Public Administration, Communications, Gender Studies, Social Justice, or Health Policy;
- Minimum 5 years' progressive experience in government relations, policy, advocacy or similar area of work, preferably in the not-for-profit sector;
- A minimum of three years of staff/team supervisory experience;
- Demonstrated knowledge of Canadian parliamentary processes, and the administrative and executive structures of government;
- Experience engaging with government officials, both elected and unelected;
- Demonstrated experience engaging in responsive as well as proactive advocacy;
- Experience working with allies and other representatives from the NGO and social justice sector, including working to advance advocacy priorities within networks and coalitions;
- Superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively to build and foster solid relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, donors, and funders;
- Excellent research, writing, analytical, and lobbying skills;
- Experience managing institutional grants and contribution agreements;
- Flexible and adaptive, able to respond quickly and effectively to changing circumstances;
- Priority management, strong multi-tasking skills and ability to meet deadlines;
- Commitment to and demonstrated effectiveness working as part of a diverse and participatory team; strong people management skills with a focus on mentorship and empowering direct reports;
- Knowledge, understanding, and commitment to reproductive rights and a person’s right to determine their own reproductive choices, feminist policy and practice, and the mission and values of Action Canada;
- Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression principles and practices;
- Ability to work with minimal supervision while exhibiting strong initiative and judgment;
- Willingness to travel and work outside of normal business hours, when necessary;
- Comfortable using digital tools to manage work and collaborate with team members (e.g., Asana, Zoom, Dropbox etc.);
- Ability to engage in lobbying activities with the Government of Canada;
- Eligible to work in Canada;
- Media experience considered an asset;
- Bilingual (English/French) considered a strong asset.
Hours, Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), salaried position. Salary for this position is $92,700 per annum. Action Canada also provides a generous benefits program, including extended health and dental benefits, leave allowances, and RRSP contributions.
This position will require occasional evening and weekend work.
Location
The successful candidate must be based in the Ottawa area. They may work from a remote work location (e.g. home office), from Action Canada’s Ottawa office, or a combination of both.
This position will require occasional travel within Canada and internationally.
To Apply
Send your cover letter, clearly outlining how your experience matches the job requirements, and CV, to: jobs@actioncanadashr.org with the subject line: Director of Policy and Advocacy – [Your Last Name]. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is selected.
Hiring Process and Timeline
All interviews will be held on Zoom, at a time arranged with the candidate. Candidates will be asked to provide three references (with at least one from a direct supervisor, and one from someone they have supervised), and those moving to the next round will have references checked.
Action Canada is committed to working within an anti-racism and anti-oppression framework and dismantling the white supremacy inherent to the SRHR movement. We are explicitly inviting women and gender diverse members of Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities to apply and self-identify in your cover letter. We welcome applications from people living with disabilities; please let us know if you require accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process.
We thank all applicants in advance; however, only those invited for an interview will be contacted.