Senior Specialist, Advocacy and Community Engagement

Senior Specialist, Advocacy and Community Engagement

Good Work Environmental Jobs is hiring a Senior Specialist, Advocacy and Community Engagement at North York Harvest Food Bank in Toronto, ON.

The Senior Specialist, Advocacy and Community Engagement will lead North York Harvest’s 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, and others as they arise—they will work to mobilize and amplify the voices of North York community members in support of these goals.

They will also foster collaborative relationships with local government officials, oversee and supervise two team members who provide direct outreach to community members visiting our food banks, and 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 to develop advocacy strategies and execute plans that respond to advocacy priorities.

37.5 hours per week.

Salary Range is $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 strategy in coordination and collaboration with the Development and Marketing Team’s strategies and calendars
• Fostering a culture of collaboration across the organization, but in particular between Development, Programs and Community Engagement Departments in support of their overlapping goals
• Representing NYH in media and at public engagement opportunities (where relevant and appropriate)

• Actively contributing to a supportive and inclusive team that works together efficiently, effectively and respectfully
• Overseeing, mentoring and managing the Community Engagement and Advocacy Coordinator, and the Community Connector
• Overseeing, scheduling and managing Community Advocacy Ambassadors
• Managing a program budget
• Other duties as assigned

• Strong leadership, organizational, and time management…