Brief Description:

Background: The Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) is an expanding community of Ontario-based international development and global education organizations and individual associate members working globally for social justice.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Community Engagement & Gender Equality Specialist will work closely with the OCIC management team and staff, Board Directors, volunteers, members, key partners and funders to support the Council in achieving its 2018-2023 “Agenda for Change,” 2019-2023 “Inspiring Action for Global Citizenship” Global Affairs Canada (GAC) contribution agreement, and other funding agreements, furthering our long-term vision.

Position Description:
The Community Engagement & Gender Equality Specialist is accountable for the following aspects of OCIC’s work:

Implementation
• Encouraging and facilitating broad-based and meaningful participation of members, volunteers, youth and other target audiences in transformative public engagement and capacity building activities to achieve OCIC’s vision, mission and mandate, strategic directions and funded programs

• Encouraging the creation of holistic engagement strategies developed in collaboration with members and key stakeholders

• Supporting the increased visibility of OCIC member and Council efforts on key global issues, including Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) action areas, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030 in public engagement programs and activities

• Leading OCIC communities of practice and supporting coordination of ongoing programs focused on engagement in policy advocacy, FIAP and the SDGs, gender equality and anti-racism 

• Sharing and coordinating opportunities for meaningful youth participation in sub-national, national and international programs, meetings and delegations

• Supporting OCIC’s multimedia, arts-based storytelling activities, International Development Week (IDW), and International Days programs presented by and in collaboration with members

• Supporting the development of select capacity building initiatives in collaboration with the Communications & Content Specialist and Executive Director

• Helping to convene periodic dialogues, consultations and information sessions with key stakeholders

• Developing and testing surveys and interview schedules to facilitate effective needs assessments

• Networking, liaising and developing relationships with diverse stakeholders, including youth, feminist, Indigenous, diaspora and disability inclusion groups, organizations and individuals

• Supporting the development of an enhanced communication strategy and materials for key community engagement and gender equality programs

• Developing Annual Report content, and supporting OCIC’s Annual General Meetings & Symposiums

• Managing and monitoring budget items with prudence

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
The Community Engagement & Gender Equality Specialist is accountable for monitoring, evaluation and reporting on their portfolio of work, including:
• Ensuring processes are undertaken to assess the effectiveness of Council public engagement and select capacity building programs, including from a gender equality lens
• Capturing quantitative and qualitative data on an ongoing basis, using event registration software, participant lists, attendance sheets, social media account analysis, website analytics, activity specific evaluation forms, and surveys, as appropriate

• Convening and/or supporting focus groups, 1:1 interviews and impact story collection for public engagement and select capacity building programs and activities, as appropriate

• Supporting the creation, implementation, analysis and dissemination of results of periodic surveys of Council members

• Synthesizing data, including qualitative, quantitative and financial reporting items, and providing recommendations for adjustments to public engagement and capacity building programs on a quarterly basis

• Documenting and/or supporting documentation and reporting of good practices and lessons learned related to public engagement and capacity building programs on a quarterly basis

Reporting on Results
• Ensuring all community engagement and capacity building programs and activities are completed according to the descriptions, budget and timelines established in the Councils’ funding agreements and annual work plan

Organizational Development and Support
• Complying with all OCIC policies, procedures and codes of conduct

• Actively participating in staff meetings and providing input towards the development of new policies to direct operational practice, as required

• Supporting the recruitment of and supervising interns, volunteers, consultants, and short-term contract staff related to public engagement and select capacity building initiatives, as requested

• Preparing relevant funding proposals and reports, in collaboration with the Membership & Administration Coordinator and Communications & Content Specialist

• Supporting the Executive Director and Board of Directors and its Committees in the ongoing implementation of strategic directions, and in achieving annual governance work plans, as requested

• Representing OCIC at events or external meetings, as requested

• Responding to telephone and email inquiries
• Other duties, as assigned

OCIC’s Values in Practice

OCIC’s work, both internally and as a collective of members, is grounded in our shared vision of global social justice, human dignity and participation for all. Our work is guided by ideals about anti-oppression, human rights, international cooperation, and the appropriate meeting of human needs articulated in a multitude of places by multilateral bodies, states, and civil society groups. Management and staff of OCIC are responsible for:

• Providing leadership in ensuring a culture of inclusive, transformative, intergenerational change within the Council and Council partnerships
• Ensuring that an intersectional approach is modeled in all aspects of the Council’s work, as outlined in OCIC’s “Agenda for Change”
• Ensuring gender equality, anti-oppression and anti-racism themes and results are integrated into all of the Councils’ work, as outlined in OCIC policies and funding agreements

Desired Experience, Skills & Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have:
• Post-secondary education in adult education, international/community development, gender or equity studies or related fields and/or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience or proven interest in community organizing, international cooperation, humanitarian and public engagement work
• Gender-based Analysis+ (GBA+) certification and/or demonstrate an in-depth understanding of intersectionality as it relates to power, positionality, and identity in the context of gender equality, equity, diversity and inclusion
• Demonstrated understanding of anti-racism principles and practice
• A minimum five years recent and related experience
• Nuanced understanding of good practices in public engagement on global poverty issues, including Theory of Change
• Demonstrated experience with program planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and volunteer management
• Dynamic team player with a ready sense of humour, compassion for others, and capacity to work at home or in close proximity to others in a team
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision to accomplish high-profile tasks and to meet multiple and concurrent deadlines
• Excellent public speaking, presentation and facilitation skills with diverse audiences
• Clear, engaging and effective written and oral communications skills
• Knowledge of and experience working within the non-profit sector
• PC proficiency with MS Office. Knowledge of In Design, Photoshop is an asset
• Understanding of Results Based Management and experience with monitoring, evaluation and learning, including capturing and synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data, developing surveys, and impact story collection
• Demonstrated good judgment, discretion and diplomacy, with ability to problem-solve
• Innovative spirit, with interest in being part of a thriving social change community
• Demonstrated cross-cultural awareness and competency; self-aware
• Detail oriented, with experience managing logistics and program budgets
• Knowledge and usage of social media platforms
• Experience working with funders, such as Global Affairs Canada
• Experience with multi-media arts-based storytelling (desirable)

Working Remotely:
All OCIC staff are currently working from home. The successful candidate must have access to high-speed internet connection and must be able to work virtually until the time we may decide to work together in person.

To apply:
Please complete OCIC’s application form and attach your cover letter and CV here ( https://form.jotform.com/222416131453243 ) by no later than 10:00 am ET, September 26, 2022. First interviews will be conducted online on October 11-13, 2022. Final candidates will be required to provide three professional references and a recent, relevant writing sample.

OCIC is committed to anti-racism, anti-oppression and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. All OCIC staff, Board, volunteers, members, partners, funders, contracted parties and representatives engaged or working with or for OCIC to provide services on behalf of the Council are required to comply fully with our Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy and Code of Conduct.

As an equity seeking organization, OCIC encourages applications from individuals that represent the full diversity of communities in Canada, including complexities of intersecting identities such as ability, age, class, gender, race and sexual orientation.

Please contact arabelle@ocic.on.ca if you require any accommodations during the application process.

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