Policy and Advocacy Officer

Salary Range: $67,000 – $72,000 (plus $2,600 in lieu of benefits)
Work Hours: Full Time (5 days a week, 37.5 hours)
Start: Jan/Feb 2024
Location: Virtual
Supervisor: Executive Director
Contract type: 2-year renewable


Dignity Network Canada
Dignity Network Canada is a national network of 67 member organizations involved in or interested in the human rights of people around the world regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics SOGIESC. DNC provides opportunities for Canadian civil society organizations and their global partners to connect, share and advocate together on SOGIESC-related human rights issues. Incorporated in 2020, Dignity Network Canada is governed by a national Board of Directors and managed by a staff team of highly motivated and passionate individuals. We work closely with several departments of the Government of Canada and we are a partner with our member organization Equitas, in the Act Together for Inclusion Fund.

Role Overview
The Policy & Advocacy Officer plays a key role developing tools and resources, conducting analysis, driving network collaboration on advocacy and engaging with and building the capacities of decision-makers towards increasing investment in and political support for SOGIESC issues and human rights in Canada’s foreign policy and development assistance. The position works closely with the rest of the Dignity Network Canada team, our members and partners to identify opportunities to engage the Government of Canada and all political parties in the House of Commons to collaboratively develop and leverage engaging communications strategies, campaign strategies, educational events, knowledge translation, partnerships, and other approaches.

The Policy and Advocacy Officer will join Dignity Network Canada during an exciting and important time as the organization moves forward with a new campaign, called Beyond Borders, as well as launching a new 5 year strategic plan.

Primary Job Responsibilities

  • Lead the development of resources (including briefs, factsheets, submissions, reports, position papers, op-eds etc.) on SOGIESC -related issues within the context of Canada’s development assistance and foreign policy.
  • Work with Global Affairs Canada and other relevant departments to identify and find opportunities to build Canada’s support for SOGIESC-related issues in global affairs and international assistance.
  • Support the development and execution of creative strategies to encourage further action by government actors on SOGIESC issues in foreign policy and development assistance.
  • Prepare policy documents on relevant global research, studies and best practices related to SOGIESC issues and human rights for governmental audiences and awareness-raising among the general public.
  • Support the Executive Director around all aspects of advocacy, government relations and policy education work, including logistics related to external meetings, roundtable events and conferences.
  • Support the logistics on government and advocacy related meetings and trips.
  • Coordinate Dignity Network Canada’s Advocacy and Government Relations Working Group, which includes approximately 20 representatives of DNC members.
  • In collaboration with team members, engage elected and unelected officials towards increasing support for SOGIESC issues in Canadian foreign policy and development assistance.
  • Seek out and support existing opportunities for collaborative advocacy and coalition work to increase support for SOGIESC issues in Canada’s development assistance and foreign policy.
  • Represent Dignity Network Canada at relevant events, conferences and external meetings with government officials and other stakeholders as required.
  • Research, follow, and build the organization’s internal knowledge around emerging issues related to our mandate.
  • Organize policy education and advocacy events.
  • Oversee activity budgets (for example: events, publications, etc.)
  • Support Dignity Network Canada with grant administration, fundraising, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, organizational learning, operational and administrative tasks as needed.
  • Other duties as may be required by the employer.

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience, preferably in a non-profit, civil society organization or government environment working on issues related to international development, human rights, SOGIESC issues, sexual and reproductive health, gender, global health, public affairs or global affairs;
  • Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills especially the capacity to develop policy and advocacy materials and documents;
  • Experience engaging in multi-sectoral collaborations and coalition work;
  • Demonstrated commitment to gender equity, anti-racism and anti-oppression principles and practices;
  • Commitment and support of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities in Canada and LGBTQI+communities internationally;
  • Comfortable using digital tools to manage work and collaborate with team members (e.g. GoogleSuite, Asana, Zoom, Dropbox etc.);
  • Demonstrated capacity to work both in a self-directed manner and collaboratively with other staff and stakeholders;
  • Flexible and adaptive, able to respond quickly and effectively to changing circumstances;
  • Willingness to travel and work outside of normal business hours, when necessary;
  • Bilingualism (English/French) a strong asset, but not required for position.
  • Eligible to work in Canada

Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), salaried position for an initial two-year renewable contract. Salary range for this position is $67,000 to $72,000 per annum, plus $2,600 in lieu of benefits. We currently provide three weeks paid vacation and eight paid personal days per year.

Location
Dignity Network Canada is a virtual organization with staff in different cities. Dignity Network Canada will prioritize hiring candidates based in the provinces of Ontario or Quebec, due to proximity to Ottawa, but will consider applications from all jurisdictions within Canada. All candidates must be legally able to work in Canada.



How to Apply:

Send your cover letter and CV to Althea Branton, Director, Operations & Member Relations [email protected] with the subject line: Policy and Advocacy Officer – [Your Last Name] by 11:59pm ET on December 20th, 2023.

Hiring Process and Timeline
Applications will be accepted until December 20th. Interviews will be held in early January, with an anticipated start date shortly thereafter. An interview team made up of DNC staff and members will conduct the interviews.

As per our policies, Dignity Network Canada is committed to working within a gender equity ,anti-racism and anti-oppression framework. 2SLGBTQI+ people are actively encouraged to apply for this position. We particularly encourage applications from 2SLGBTQI+ people who are Black, Indigenous or people of the global majority, people with disabilities, and people who identify as members from religious minority groups. Disclosure is optional, and at no point during the application process will candidates be asked to share or discuss any part of their identity. We thank all applicants in advance; however, only those invited for an interview will be contacted.

Published:

December 12, 2023


Deadline:

December 20, 2023


Type:


Location:

Virtual


Organization:

Dignity Network Canada


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