Public Affairs Officer

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 controls their sexuality, reproduction, gender expression, and health. In our fight for sexual and reproductive rights for all, Action Canada challenges the systems that create unequal access to information, health care, and rights.

For more information, visit actioncanadashr.org. 

Who You Are

You are passionate about advocacy and knowledgeable about sexual and reproductive health and rights. You know how to pro-actively engage diverse stakeholders and develop strategies to support the achievement of policy goals. You have a good understanding of governmental inner-workings and policy development. You enjoy keeping up to date on the latest sexual and reproductive health and rights policy developments and identifying opportunities to advance advocacy objectives.

Position Overview

Through its policy and advocacy work, Action Canada seeks to advance sexual and reproductive rights in Canada and globally. Advocacy strategies bring clear direction and accountability to the advancement of specific policy goals within the context of advancing Action Canada’s strategic vision.

Reporting to the Director of Government Relations, the Public Affairs Officer is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating advocacy strategies aimed at advancing sexual and reproductive rights in Canada and globally. The Public Affairs Officer operationalizes diverse tactics, including engaging with elected and non-elected government officials; leveraging accountability mechanisms, writing analytical content, translated for various audiences; mobilizing diverse stakeholders in support of strategic advocacy objectives, and building strong partnerships with allied networks and coalitions.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with other members of the Policy and Advocacy team, and in coordination with the Communications team, the Public Affairs Officer will: 

• Develop and implement targeted advocacy strategies in alignment with Action Canada’s vision and priorities.
• Effectively use monitoring, evaluation and learning tools to assess outcomes of advocacy strategies.
• Monitor the sexual and reproductive health and rights policy landscape to identify opportunities for engagement with decision-makers, civil society, supporters and media to advance Action Canada’s policy and advocacy goals.
• Research and write briefs, position papers, reports, statements and other content for a variety of audiences.
• Organize public events.
• Contribute to the Policy and Advocacy team’s programme of work through active participation in team meetings, collective strategizing, identifying opportunities to maximize advocacy activities.
• Engage in collaborative advocacy with a range of stakeholders to advance an intersectional sexual and reproductive health and rights agenda, including identifying potential partners and allies.
• Contribute to fundraising, operational, administrative, reporting, and other tasks as required;
• Other duties as may be assigned by the Employer.

Skills and Qualifications

• A minimum of three years’ experience in advocacy or campaigning or related work;
• Demonstrated skills advancing advocacy objectives, particularly within Canadian public policy processes;
• Experience and comfort with public speaking and proactive stakeholder engagement
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for advocacy and outreach;
• Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights issues;
• Network of contacts and relationships with elected officials, political staff and public servants at all levels of government an asset;
• Knowledge of human rights processes an asset;
• Knowledge of and commitment to Action Canada’s mission and values;
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work proactively, and contribute to team goals;
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression principles and practices;
• Strong analytical and writing skills;
• 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;
• 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;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision while exhibiting strong initiative and judgment;
• Strong computer skills including with online conferencing tools (Zoom, Skype etc), project management (Asana), cloud-based document management (Dropbox, Sharepoint) and Microsoft Office;
• Eligible to work in Canada;
• French/English bilingualism is a strong asset.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), salaried position. This is a unionized position in CUPE Local 2722-05. Salary for this position is $60,000 per annum. Action Canada also provides a generous benefits program, including extended health and dental benefits, leave allowances, and RRSP contributions.

Location 

Action Canada’s offices are based in Ottawa, Ontario; however, some staff members work in other locations under a remote work agreement. Action Canada will prioritize hiring candidates based in Ottawa (or willing to relocate) but will consider applications from candidates within Ontario. All candidates must be legally able to work in Canada.

To Apply

Send your cover letter, clearly outlining how your experience matches the job requirements, and CV, to: [email protected] with the subject line: Public Affairs Officer – [Your Last Name] by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, January 16, 2022.

Hiring Process and Timeline

Applications will be accepted until January 16, 2022. Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted the week of January 17 and 24. Interviews are expected to be held the week of January 24 or 31, 2022, with an anticipated start date of mid- to late February.

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.

Recognizing that we are in the midst of an unprecedented and unusual time, we have made adjustments to our hiring processes. At this time, all staff at Action Canada are working from home, and the interviewing and on-boarding process will occur remotely. We acknowledge that COVID-19 has caused disruptions to many lives and people may require additional accommodations.

We thank all applicants in advance; however, only those invited for an interview will be contacted.

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How to Apply:

Send your cover letter, clearly outlining how your experience matches the job requirements, and CV, to: [email protected] with the subject line: Public Affairs Officer – [Your Last Name] by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, January 16, 2022.