Food insecurity, Food solutions

Senior Specialist, Advocacy and Community Engagement

External Posting:

Position Title:

Senior Specialist, Advocacy and Community Engagement
Organization:
North York Harvest Food Bank

Location:

Toronto, ON

Department: Community Engagement

Reports to: Director of Community Engagement

Direct Reports: 2

Organizational Profile:

Since 1985, North York Harvest Food Bank has been the primary food bank in northern Toronto. Last year, we distributed over 3 million pounds of food through our 35 Partner Agencies, running over 70 community programs.

An independent, charitable organization, we envision a community where all members are able to meet their food needs. Our mission is to engage our community in meeting the food needs of northern Toronto by providing dignified food assistance, education, focused advocacy, and long-term food solutions. We believe in access and inclusion, collaboration, integrity, and excellence.

The Senior Specialist, Advocacy and Community Engagement will lead North York Harvest’s (NYH) efforts to advocate for long‑term solutions to poverty, the root cause of food insecurity in our communities. Focusing on the advocacy priorities identified by community members using our food banks – including increased social assistance rates, affordable housing and tenant protections, decent work, social procurement, financing and real estate – they will work to mobilize and amplify the voices of North York community members in support of these goals.

They will also work to foster collaborative relationships with local government officials.

They will oversee and supervise two team members, who will provide direct outreach to community members visiting our food banks. At times they will supervise Advocacy Ambassadors who are hired from our food bank communities on a part‑time basis to assist with specific advocacy campaigns.

They will also facilitate opportunities to mobilize community members through workshops, events, advocacy actions, public‑speaking engagements, meetings with political representatives and participation in the organization’s Community Action Group. They will work closely with staff and the Community Action Group in developing advocacy strategies and executing plans that respond to advocacy priorities.

37.5 hours per week.

Salary Range: $86,151 - $101,361 per year, plus comprehensive extended Health and Dental Benefits (after 3 months), defined benefit pension, and three weeks paid vacation.

• Managing the Community Engagement Team’s focused advocacy and community engagement efforts.
• Development and execution of NYH’s annual advocacy strategy that supports the organization’s Mission, Vision and Values, is in line with established advocacy goals, and includes clearly defined outcomes and KPIs.
• Creating opportunities and activities to empower and elevate the voices of NYH participants and community members through NYH communication channels, advocacy projects and mobilization efforts.
• Staying informed about issues and trends related to food security, poverty and public policy that may affect NYH, our network and participants.

• Fostering deeper relationships with NYH stakeholders through Advocacy and Community Mobilization.
• Participating in networking and collaboration opportunities (round tables, coalitions, conferences, etc.) with groups and organizations relevant to the NYH Advocacy Strategy.
• Overseeing the Community Action Group’s Steering Committee.
• Creating opportunities for community members to take action and developing community members into advocacy leaders.

• Fostering NYH government relations by organizing and attending meetings with government officials.
• Navigating various levels of government to effectively build relationships and work toward policy development that supports our communities.
• Welcoming newly (re) elected government officials after every election.
• Participating in public consultations.
• Maintain and track North York Harvest’s advocacy activities in accordance with lobbying regulations.
• Development and execution of a Community Engagement communications…