Advocacy Consultant

About this position

The Ottawa Mission has a vision to be “a leading shelter” in Ottawa offering “life changing” programs and services to our most vulnerable people.  We are a diverse and inclusive non-profit organization where you will be challenged, energized and motivated to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations.

The Core Purpose of the Ottawa Mission is to reflect Jesus’ love in serving the homeless, the hungry, and the lost.

Our Mission is to  provide food, shelter, clothing and skills, and offer healing, faith and hope for building a wholesome life.

Our Vision is that all the hurting, hungry and lost in Ottawa find Hope, Healing & Home.

Our Core Values are Acceptance, Respect, Compassion, Integrity and Interdependence

We are seeking an Advocacy Consultant to support the Director of Communications in the delivery of the approved 2018 Advocacy Plan for the Ottawa Mission, with additional support to be provided to Volunteer Services.

The terms of this contract are as follows:

• The number of hours over the course of one year shall not exceed 1000 and, depending on departmental priorities and deadlines, hours worked throughout the course of the year will vary by week.
• The value of the contract shall not exceed $30,000., not including HST.

Major Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• One-pagers and fact sheets;
• Website copy;
• Social media and blog post content;
• Assistance with media (op-eds, letters to the editor and advanced pitching to individual media);
• Assistance with report writing (annual impact report, public opinion poll on homelessness, and research reports on homelessness).

Policy Analysis and Development

• Links and collaboration with researchers and academics to establish a “research hub” on:
• Issues influencing homelessness, including:
  • Structural, e.g.: discrimination and colonialism; lack of affordable housing; and poverty/low income status;
  • Systemic, e.g.: barriers to services based on factors such as having a criminal record; and failed transitions from hospital, the correctional system, the child protection system, and the immigration system;
  • Individual, e.g.: family instability and violence; and physically and mentally disabling conditions.
• Policy and program responses to homelessness, including: policy decisions by governments that influence homelessness; program efficacy and effectiveness, including Ottawa Mission programs; Housing First programs; and the role of emergency shelters within the housing continuum.
• Analysis of campaign platforms and commitments analysis, e.g.: synopsis of platforms and commitments; and development of questionnaires directed to candidates for elected office concerning their commitments to housing and the social determinants that inform homelessness.

Engagement

• Policy and decision-makers within government, e.g.: private meetings and tours; assistance with deputations to City Council on aligned issues (City of Ottawa budget; reports to the Community and Protective Services Committee); consultations concerning provincial and federal budgets and proposed legislation.
  • Grant applications, e.g.: review, analysis and application to funding streams at the municipal, provincial and federal level for both capital and operating costs.
  • Community engagement, e.g.: accommodating requests for tours from community members; and work within existing partners and networks such as other shelters and the Alliance to End Homelessness;
  • Assistance to Volunteer Services, e.g.: expanding community engagement (schools, churches, rotary clubs, third-party events; etc.); participation on sector committees; supporting new volunteer onboarding and  volunteer training; assistance with volunteer speakers’ nights, Ottawa Mission special meals, internal events; support for volunteer opportunities in departments across the Ottawa Mission;  and coverage while staff is away.

Education

• Undergraduate degree in communications, political science, or a related field.

Experience

• 3 – 5 years working within communications (including digital platforms), advocacy or community engagement, preferably within the not-for-profit sector.
• Understanding of issues that inform homelessness considered a strong asset.
• Bilingualism considered a strong asset.

Working Conditions

• Depending on the task, some work can be completed from home office, while other tasks will need to be completed within the Ottawa Mission environment.
• Ability to flex schedule to accommodate task deadlines
• Ability to adhere to strict deadlines and manage and respond to competing priorities
• The contractor must be willing to work a flexible schedule depending on deadlines for required tasks. S/he must adhere to strict deadlines and be able to respond to competing priorities.

Please send sumissions, with "Advocacy Consultant" in the subject line, to:

lhorne@ottawamission.com

ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE, UPON REQUEST, FOR ALL APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

THE OTTAWA MISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER