Criminal Justice Program Coordinator

About this position

Employment Opportunity:
Criminal Justice Program Coordinator

Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC) is the peace and social justice agency of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Canada. Quakers won the 1947 Nobel Peace Prize and are internationally recognized for peacebuilding and conflict transformation. CFSC’s work continues this long tradition of transformative and sustainable approaches to human rights, justice, and peace. As people of religious faith, Quakers strive to speak truth to power while speaking to that of the divine in every person.

The Criminal Justice Program Coordinator is a part-time position (17.5 work hours/week).
Consideration will be given to all qualified applicants regardless of their location in Canada; however, preference will be given to those able to commute to the CFSC office in Toronto.

The Criminal Justice Program Coordinator is responsible for developing, adapting and implementing effective Criminal Justice programming, one of the three core program areas of CFSC. This is a dynamic position requiring someone who is respectful to others and highly motivated to work both independently and with a small team that includes volunteers. The Coordinator must be a self-starter excited about working with our existing strategic plan and logic model as well as identifying opportunities to expand our work and impact. The Coordinator will also work collaboratively with our existing staff team.

The ideal candidate will have all or most of:

• Social justice, criminal justice and/or legislation education experience in a formal or informal setting,
• Experience with public outreach and/or organizing on social justice concerns,
• Experience engaging with civil servants, politicians, and others around social justice issues,
• Proven leadership, creative and flexible on-the-job problem-solving skills, good computer skills, strong verbal and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills,
• Experience working for small (under 10 staff) businesses or non-profits that require adaptability,
• Ability to work collaboratively online with a committee dispersed in communities across Canada,
• Solid knowledge of the criminal justice landscape, which includes Quaker, abolitionist, restorative justice, lived experience, systemic, and rights-based perspectives, and
• Proven ability to manage a budget.

Compensation: for part time (0.5 FTE) position starting at $65 - 67,000 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) based on qualifications. The compensation for this position will be half of the FTE.

Start date: immediately. Currently, because of pandemic restrictions, CFSC is not yet fully back in our office. Staff are working in the office on a rotating basis and essential work is done at the office, in full compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols. CFSC requires successful candidates, who have no medical exemptions, to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment.

How to Apply
If you are passionate about peace and social justice and have the gifts and skills required, we welcome your submission including:

• A cover letter
• Three references (1 personal, 2 work-related)
• Resume outlining your qualifications and your interest/leading to serve as staff within CFSC

Please email your application package to jobs@quakerservice.ca. No phone calls, please. While we wish to acknowledge all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Application Deadline: February 5, 2024 at 9:00 am EST.

CFSC welcomes the contributions that individuals from equity deserving communities bring and invites Indigenous people; black and racialized people; women; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or queer identified people; transgender and transsexual persons; single parents; newcomers and/or refugees; people with disabilities; and people of all ages to apply.

Criminal Justice Program Coordinator job description
The Criminal Justice Program Coordinator’s role is to manage the work of the Criminal Justice Program Committee. This includes actively identifying and engaging with various opportunities to advance CFSC’s criminal justice work to meet program goals. Accountability is to the General Secretary or designate as well as to the Clerk of the Justice Program Committee and to the Executive Committee of CFSC.

The content of the Program Coordinator’s work is set by the Program Committee (made up of volunteers from across Canada) in accord with the strategic plan of CFSC. The Program Committee has an existing logic model and work plan.

The Program Coordinator uses Quaker methodology in the decision-making, planning, and implementation of current and new projects, research, and education activities.
The Program Committee has an important role in identifying and discerning the appropriateness of new work and ensuring that the Program Coordinator’s workload is manageable.

Program Coordinators are responsible for the overall management of their program area, including work with Friends and relationships with other organizations, partners, and governments.

Program management

• Coordinate, administer, and help develop effective Canada-based programs, and, if appropriate, internationally-based programs.
• Inform Friends of the process of developing a project partnership and, when directed to do so by the Program Committee, consult with partners in the development of a project proposal.
• Receive and review correspondence, materials, and concerns, and bring them to the attention of the Program Committee Clerk and members for their consideration.      
• Serve as the primary person responsible for the Program Committee budget and managing program expenses in according with CFSC policies and procedures.
• If needed, prepare and submit applications to external funders and comply with their reporting requirements.

Research

• Ensure that program work is based on a solid and up-to-date problem analysis and viable theory of change by researching (or assisting volunteers who are researching) relevant issues.
• Attend meetings and conferences as directed or approved by committee.
• With the Program Committee and Government Relations Representative, monitor and government public discourse on issues related to the program and bring forward information and opportunities to the Committee’s attention.

Education

• Develop, update, and distribute resources (e.g. pamphlets, policy papers, website content, etc.) to educate Friends and the wider community on issues related to the work and CFSC.
• Ensure consistency in the design of all CFSC resources by working closely with the Communications Coordinator.
• Create, facilitate, and participate in trainings, presentations, workshops, public forums, and special interest groups for Quakers and other interested groups. 

Relationships & partnerships

• Maintain relations with relevant partners, organizations, ecumenical coalitions, interfaith working groups, networks, and other Quaker agencies by either representing CFSC or supporting/collaborating with any Canadian Friends named to serve on these organizations. Priority is given to groups in which CFSC holds a membership.
• As appropriate, prepare and monitor agreements with, and financial contributions to organizations in which CFSC is a member. Seek and review reports from relevant representatives to these agencies.
• Maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders related to the Program Committee’s work (e.g. policy makers, academics, NGOs, and other Quaker groups).

Practical assistance

• Coordinate and administer Program Committee grants and projects by: ensuring application documents or proposals are up-to-date and in accordance with CFSC’s policies; assisting applicants; reviewing and sharing requests with the Program Committee; preparing agreements and payments to approved grantees or project; and monitoring reporting.
• Provide support to partners through actions such as: preparing and contributing to joint statements, assisting with legal proceedings and litigation, preparing materials and presentations, facilitating trainings, assistance with attending relevant meetings, etc.
• As appropriate, prepare a plan for project visitation (Canada-based and overseas) and update as needed in order to enhance the mutual learning from service experience, and to be duly diligent in the administration of projects.

Policy dialogue

• With the Program Committee and the Government Relations Representative, develop policy positions on program issues that are consistent with CFSC’s purpose and strategic plan. These are used for discussion and dialogue with Friends, partners, policy makers, and others.
• Based on policy positions, draft letters and statements on program issues, including responses to government and legislation.
• Working closely with the Government Relations Representative to support input into policy processes (e.g. consultations) at the national and international level, or facilitate Quaker participation, directly or through partnership organizations.
• As appropriate, coordinate international related-work with Quaker UN Offices, attend and represent CFSC at international meetings, and organize and host meetings with representatives at Quaker House in Geneva and New York. 
• With the Government Relations Representative create strategies to engage with government representatives, diplomats, and others to advance work.