CharityVillage

Internal/External Posting Notice

Title:                                                   Manager, Policy and Advocacy                            

Department:                                  Policy, Campaigns & Communication

Status:                                                Full-time, 2-Year term, unionized

Location:                                          Ottawa, ON Canada                      

Immediate Supervisor:          Director, Policy, Campaigns & Communications    

Salary:                                                $80,188 - $104,627

Level:                                                   Band 4  

Application Deadline:              January 24, 2025 

SCOPE OF POSITION:

Reporting to the Director of Policy, Campaigns & Communications, the Manager, Policy & Advocacy is responsible for providing strategic direction for Oxfam Canada’s policy influencing and campaigns work in order to raise Oxfam Canada’s recognition as a thought leader on issues related to poverty, gender justice and inequality, both in Canada and globally. In addition, they will engage the Canadian public in our campaigns. They are also responsible for the development, planning and delivery of creative and robust advocacy initiatives, and for building recognition for Oxfam’s program and policy expertise, especially in the Canadian context.

The Manager, Policy & Advocacy will provide leadership, mentorship and direction to a team of policy and advocacy, specialists and officers, to ensure the implementation of powerful and effective advocacy and influencing strategies. They will manage the Policy & Advocacy unit by overseeing research and policy development, public campaigns’ initiatives, coordinating overall government relations, and leading on budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and performance management. The Manager, Policy & Advocacy collaborates closely with the Manager, Communications, and liaises with other teams and departments within Oxfam Canada and the Oxfam confederation.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: (This is not an exhaustive list of duties to be performed)

Strategy and planning

• Provide strategic direction and design of Oxfam Canada’s overall policy, campaigns and advocacy strategies.
• Identify strategic areas for work and integrate these within the broader departmental plan and within broader organizational objectives.
• Ensure strategic alignment with Oxfam’s public campaigns and public engagement strategies and develops plans to support Oxfam Canada’s public campaigns from a research and policy influencing perspective, and to engage supporters in Oxfam Canada’s policy influencing initiatives.
• Oversee Oxfam Canada’s overall government relations strategy, and serves as the point person on government relations with regards to policy for all Oxfam Canada staff.
• Build collaboration across departments and units to ensure that policy and campaigns are aligned and builds on Oxfam Canada’s multiple areas of expertise and experience.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of Oxfam’s long-term and annual plans and strategies.
• Design, manage and be accountable for the Policy & Advocacy unit’s operating budget.

Program Development and implementation

• Lead on specific policy and advocacy initiatives, including corporate influencing, to effectively influence policy and practices and raise Oxfam Canada’s profile and credibility on specific files.
• Develop and maintain expertise on Oxfam Canada’s priority policy and influencing files, in particular in the areas of women’s rights, economic justice, climate justice and humanitarian response.
• Review all of Oxfam Canada’s policy and advocacy-related materials (reports, policy papers, position statements, etc.) prior to publication for quality control, to allow opportunities to comment for private sector entities, and to ensure consistency with Oxfam Canada’s influencing strategies and signed-off policy positions.
• Collaborate with members of staff in all departments to ensure effective and consistent messaging on Oxfam Canada’s priority policy files to key constituents and to the public.
• Oversee the development and implementation of public initiatives in collaboration with the Manager, Communications and the organizing team.
• Serve as the primary point person for policy-related issues, and manage the policy sign-off process, with Oxfam International and other Oxfam affiliates, in particular, Oxfam-Québec.
• Lead on developing proposals to raise funds for Oxfam Canada’s policy, campaigns and advocacy work, collaborating closely with colleagues in other units and departments.
• Develop monitoring and reporting tools and oversee implementation of MEL processes for policy, campaigns and advocacy to encourage learning and continuous improvement and coordinate reporting to donors.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, motivate and provide clear direction to the policy and advocacy team.
• Effectively manage staff to deliver on their responsibilities, workplans, and provide coaching and mentoring to staff regarding expectations of performance and competencies.
• Oversee the development of team and individual work plans and conduct performance evaluations for all team members.
• Foster a positive team dynamic and work culture aligned with Oxfam values.
• Support team learning and professional development.

Representation, alliance-building, relationship-building

• Liaise, develop and maintain working relationships with relevant organizations, coalitions and supporters.
• Act as a visible and dynamic ambassador for Oxfam Canada with government, corporations, partners, and Oxfam supporters.
• Act as a spokesperson for Oxfam Canada in the media.
• Deliver compelling presentations for external audiences to advance Oxfam Canada’s influencing agenda and build Oxfam’s constituency across Canada.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES:

• Master’s degree in a directly related discipline (such as international development, gender studies, political science or international affairs) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of work experience in policy, research, and government relations, including demonstrated experience working on advocacy campaigns.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in a team management role or proven skills leading and managing diverse teams and managing change.
• Demonstrated skills, leadership and success in policy and advocacy, including the development of creative and inspiring influencing strategies and their implementation, monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting.
• Proven record in government relations to influence policy and to build organizational profile.
• Strong understanding of the political and policy environment in Canada and thorough understanding of development issues both internationally as well as in Canada.
• Background and demonstrated knowledge and expertise in women’s rights, gender equality, and issues of economic equality, with a strong personal commitment to social justice.
• Experience as a spokesperson, and strong track record as a skilled public speaker in multiple settings, with demonstrated capacity to motivate audiences and ignite engagement. Experience speaking to the media is highly desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with experience in building effective relationships with high-profile government officials, donors, civil society partners and coalitions and other influential constituents, including corporations.
• Financial management experience related to grants and organizational budgets.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in a cross-cultural environment based on feminist principles, including in the global South on issues related to poverty, inequality and women’s rights.
• Proven track record of communications excellence, both oral and written. Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in French and Spanish is highly desirable.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion and judgment at all times.
• Proven administrative skills and an organized approach with an ability to prioritize and effectively handle many demands;
• Capacity to take direction, work in a self-directed manner and exceptional skills working within a team setting;
• Experience working cross-functionally and in complex cross-departmental environments.
• Ability to travel periodically in Canada and internationally, sometimes in difficult circumstances.
• Familiarity with word processing, spreadsheet, communications, database, information systems
• Willingness to sign and abide by the Oxfam Code of Conduct.
• Demonstrated commitment to feminism, anti-racism, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

In addition to competitive pay, Oxfam Canada Offers:

• 35-hour work week and the ability to work flexible hours.
• 4 weeks of paid vacation per year, prorated based on FTE equivalence, plus paid office closure from December 27 to 31.
• Extensive health, dental and wellness coverage for staff and their dependents.
• Paid sick days, and additional time off for personal and care responsibilities.
• Pension plan contributions.
• Caring, compassionate and supportive work environment that recognizes that work is one of the many responsibilities we have to prioritize in our lives.
• Regular opportunities for all staff across Canada to meet – in person and virtually – to learn, connect and grow as a team!

** MUST be eligible to work in Canada ** 

We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications. If you don’t see yourself reflected in every job requirement listed in the posting above, we still encourage you to apply!

As an organization and as individuals, we stand against all systems of oppression, violence, and hate. We stand for justice, equity, diversity, inclusion (JEDI) and decolonization within our organization and society at large, guided by our Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Principles (ARAO), our Feminist Principles, and our six core values: Equality, Empowerment, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Accountability, and Courage. Our Strategic Framework 2021-2025 has a commitment to grow as a feminist, diverse and inclusive organization. To that end, we have created an Anti-Racism, JEDI and Decolonization Strategy 2023-2025 with a vision to become a more just, inclusive and equitable organization, unbound by the oppressive systems of racism, white supremacy, patriarchy and the legacy of colonialism that have fueled global poverty and inequality.

We prioritize creating a compassionate, inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and connected. We are especially eager to hear from women and gender non-conforming individuals, Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, persons with disabilities, immigrants to Canada, and others from underrepresented groups.

If you require adaptive measures during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify us at CAN-TEAM-HR@oxfam.org  or (613) 237-5236. We are committed to providing accommodations to meet your needs. Oxfam Canada has an accommodation policy for persons with disabilities. The job posting is available in alternate formats.

Important Note: Offers of employment are conditional upon signing our code of conduct, satisfactory references, and any required screening checks. At Oxfam Canada, we place a high priority on ensuring that only individuals who share and demonstrate our values join our team.

For additional career opportunities, visit https://www.oxfam.ca/who-we-are/our-people/careers/ . Please note that we do not offer internships or overseas volunteer placements.

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We thank all those who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.