Program Lead, Advocacy & Community Engagement

Description

Program Lead, Advocacy & Community Engagement

Join us in our mission to change what it is to be blind in Canada.

Your Impact at CNIB

• Develop and execute municipal and regional level advocacy campaigns in southwestern Ontario. These plans will align with CNIB’s strategic plan, public policy initiatives and commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
• Develop and execute government relations strategies to influence policy changes beneficial to the blind and low vision community.
• Monitor and analyze government policies, regulations and legislative developments impacting the community we serve.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders and decision makers, including municipal governments and the provincial government.
• Support national advocacy initiatives public awareness campaigns in southwestern Ontario.
• Recruit, train, engage and actively manage an integrated team of community engagement volunteers. 
• Build and manage relationships with municipal elected officials, political staff, public servants, and external stakeholders.
• Effectively communicates CNIB's key messages to external audiences through presentations, briefing materials and other communication materials.
• Develop and deliver advocacy programs and training and tracking outcomes through CNIB’s database software. 
• Act as the provincial subject matter expert in an advocacy topic and support staff, community members in this area.
• Respond to individual advocacy requests from community members and provide advice and effective advocacy to bring about a successful conclusion to the issue.
• Oversight of a regional advocacy committee made up of highly engaged and passionate community engagement volunteers.
• Build and maintain relationships with government representatives, policymakers, and relevant organizations.
• Work directly with the Public Policy Team, and regional leadership to ensure a comprehensive approach to delivering regional advocacy initiatives.
• Liaise regularly with key internal/external stakeholders as required to support CNIB’s mission.
• Act as an integral ambassador for CNIB, representing and promoting the organization at all relevant external events.
• Liaise at all levels with external community partners, agencies, donors, volunteers, staff and participants to support and implement program goals.
• Actively network and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders critical to support advocacy strategies and further CNIB’s mission.
• Oversee a strong team of CNIB community engagement volunteers who are smashing barriers to inclusion.
• Manage multiple relationships through influence, diplomacy, information sharing, value-added expertise, and facilitation.

Requirements

Who you are:

Education and Certifications

• Minimum post-secondary education or equivalent experience in a related field.

Experience and Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience working with advocacy, government relations, public affairs or communications.
• Experience in creating successful advocacy initiatives and program development
• Strong understanding of the legislative and regulatory processes in Ontario
• Excellent relationship building skills; ability to build productive business and stakeholder relationships.
• Professional attitude, self-starter and adaptable to a dynamic organization.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and communication skills, with the ability to plan and deliver clear communications to a dispersed audience.
• Ability to accomplish projects with little supervision.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Passionate champion of diversity, accessibility, and inclusion issues.
• Advance knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and database computer applications.
• Well organized and excellent coordination skills.
• Proven success in leading and motivating teams of staff and volunteers.
• Working knowledge of national volunteer organizations with a branch, region and/or membership-based structure
• Excellent analytical, problem definition and problem-solving skills.
• Professional attitude, results oriented, strategic and flexible.
• Ability to travel within Ontario as required.
• Personal or professional experience relating to blindness and sight loss is considered an asset.
• Personal or professional experience working with assistive technology and/or accessible environments is considered an asset.

Benefits

Perks

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements and schedules. 
• Opportunities for professional development and growth, including internal inclusion, diversity equity and accessibility (IDEA) initiatives.
• Group insurance benefits include dental, health and vision care.
• Enticing internal employee referral program.

Be Part of Our Mission

Closing date: December 31, 2024.

Please note that while we invite applications from all interested and qualified applicants, we are unable to follow-up with every applicant.

Working Together for Change