We’re Hiring: Policy and Research Co-ordinator

Location:

Toronto or Guelph, Ontario

Compensation:

10 month contract, Hours negotiable

Total Contract: $18,000

Location:

Open to candidates who can work from Guelph or Toronto. Our Guelph office is shared with the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario and our Toronto office is located in the Centre for Social Innovation. May involve some remote work.

Eligible participants must be:

• Currently in receipt of EI benefits,
  • OR able to establish an EI benefits claim prior to beginning the position,
  • OR have completed an EI claim within the past 36 months,
  • OR began a maternity or parental claim within the past 60 months;
• Unemployed or working part-time (less than 20 hours per week);
• In need of the work experience that will be gained through this position, where this experience will improve their prospects for securing full-time work in their field of interest & expertise.

About the Organic Council of Ontario:

The Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) is the voice for organics in Ontario. It represents Ontario’s organic sector value chains and has a membership of over 150 producers, processors, retailers and consumers and includes organizations such as the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario.

About the Job:

The Organic Council of Ontario is looking for a motivated Membership Outreach and Events Coordinator who is passionate about agriculture and the environment. OCO is a small and dynamic organization that is growing quickly. We are looking for enthusiastic, flexible, and self-motivated individuals to join our growing team.

The Policy and Research Coordinator will be involved in the following activites:

1. Assist with research and development of a sector-wide organic strategic plan;
2. Aggregate and analyse organic sector data and conduct research into organic programs in other jurisdictions;
3. Research and understand Canadian Organic Standards compared to other organic programs:
   1. consult with the organic sector on a proposal to create a provincial organic regulation
   2. propose recommendations for improving the standards for small-scale mixed farmers,
   3. propose recommendations for micro-greens and aquaculture;
   4. interview and host 2 focus groups with Ontario organic businesses to help shape recommendations
   5. monitor and write recommendations to OCO board for on-going consultations on food safety, sustainability,neonicotinoids, national food strategy etc.
   6. craft responses to Ontario government consultations
4. Plan a communications strategy, campaign and sector engagement around the Ontario elections;
5. Research and review Climate Change credit off-set opportunities for organic agriculture;
6. Write blogs and communication pieces on important policy and regulatory issues for the organic sector.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Is highly motivated, can work independently and in a team;
• Is passionate and knowledgeable about organic agriculture and/or regulations;
• Has strong research skills and ability to understand complex technical documents;
• Has an interest in and/or experience with campaign design and strategy;
• Has an interest in and/or experience with engaging diverse stakeholders in consultations or focus groups;
• Able to distill complex information into simple and engaging communication pieces;
• Has some experience with WordPress;
• Has experience working with Mailchimp or similar newsletter applications;
• Has experience managing multiple social media channels simultaneously including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (familiarity with Tweetdeck, Hootsuite or other management tools an asset);
• Has experience with online consultation and/or digital campaign strategy;
• Has strong written communications skills and an eye for design;
• Has used cloud file storage and sharing systems;
• Has experience designing info-graphics (an asset);
• Has access to a personal laptop;
• Has French language skills (an asset).

To apply, send a CV and cover letter in one pdf document to:
hiring organiccouncil.ca
by June 5th at 5pm with Policy Coordinator in the subject line.

When applying, please indicate that you saw this posting at FoodWork.ca.