Director of Programs & Planning - Maternity Leave

About this position

Director of Programs & Planning

The Ottawa Food Bank is a respected charity with deep roots in the Ottawa community. We raise food and funds to support the 38,400 people who need emergency food every month. Working in partnership with 114 member agencies, we provide food and programming through community food banks, meal programs, Kickstart After School programs and our Community Harvest Farm program.  

The Ottawa Food Bank is looking for an individual with highly developed leadership skills and strong organizational and problem-solving skills to take on this challenging role during this exciting time at the Ottawa Food Bank to cover for a 12-14 month maternity leave.

This role should be filled by an innovative individual with a deep understanding of food security issues.  The incumbent also needs to have well-developed interpersonal skills with an ability to be adaptable and flexible as needed.

If this sounds like you - read on!

SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Programs and Planning is responsible for overseeing the programs delivered within the Ottawa Food Bank’s network of 114 agencies, the development, review and evaluation of Ottawa Food Bank programs. In conjunction with the CEO and the Executive team, participates in long term strategic planning and the annual business planning processes.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

General Management

• As a member of the Ottawa Food Bank’s executive team, participates in strategic planning, operational planning and budgeting processes for the organization.
• Plans, organizes and manages the daily activities and service objectives of all staff in the Programs and Planning department.
• Supports the organization’s performance management process, including the creation of development plans and the completion of annual performance reviews
• Creates an environment that fosters and develops effective working relationships, encourages a high level of performance and proactively addresses any morale, cooperation or productivity issues
• Participates in the formation of annual departmental plans and prepares and manages departmental budgets
• Other management duties as assigned

Program Development

• Supports an annual evaluation of the programs delivered by agencies within the OFB’s agency network to ensure effective service delivery
• Conducts an annual review of the programs directly delivered by the Ottawa Food Bank
• Supports the process of evaluating the regional distribution of member agencies and their respective geographic service areas to ensure service delivery is effective and equitable
• Supervises a regular review of Ottawa neighbourhoods served by the Ottawa Food Bank and member agency programs to ensure emerging or changing community needs are being met
• Supervises the distribution, collection and analysis of the annual Hunger Count survey

Member Agencies

• Manages membership requests from new agencies and annual membership renewal process
• Maintains formal service agreements between the Ottawa Food Bank and member agencies
• Facilitates and conducts training with member agency staff and volunteers in food safety and food handling training 
• Conducts regular visits to member agencies and ensure Ottawa Food Bank food safety and client service standards are being met 
• Promotes a safe, healthy and compliant workplace by ensuring member agency awareness of Health and Safety legislation, and other relevant legislation
• Works collaboratively with the Operations team in the areas of food inventory and selection, delivery scheduling, and problem solving
• Contributes to a culture of continuous improvement by informing Ottawa Food Bank processes through feedback and recommendations from member agencies
• Manages the implementation and use of the Link2Feed client intake system
• Conducts regular information sessions for member agencies

Business Planning

• In conjunction with the CEO and OFB executive team, oversees the Ottawa Food Bank annual business planning process
• Conducts an annual environmental scan of food bank operations, including issues, practices and trends
• Plans and conducts consultations with internal and external stakeholders
• Conducts an annual evaluation of the management processes using the Ottawa Food Bank Process Integration model

Strategic Direction

• In conjunction with the CEO and OFB executive team, the Director of Programs and Planning, oversees the development and measurement of programs that support the organization’s strategic plan
• Creates innovative programs that align with the OFB’s strategic plan and measurably address the issue of food security
• Seeks out collaborative partnerships and opportunities to help the OFB achieve it strategic goals and direction.

KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrated experience in program development, review, assessment and evaluation in the non-profit or social services sector
• High degree of proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience working with a computerized inventory management system (Link2Feed or similar)
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with a high degree of attention to detail
• Highly developed ability to work within a team setting, and with diverse stakeholders
• Ability to plan and prioritize work while remaining adaptable and flexible
• Strong leadership skills and the proven ability to coach and develop a team
• High performance standards and a commitment to continuous improvement
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills and the highly developed ability to manage multiple projects
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to listen, influence and persuade
• Core qualities including excellent judgment, confidentiality and discretion, demonstrated maturity and reliability
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation/public speaking skills, in English
• Proficiency in French is an asset

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a program planning and evaluation role, preferably in the non-profit or social services sector, and at least 3+ years of experience in a management position. Proven experience with high level strategic planning and project management.

EDUCATION

Undergraduate degree or college diploma in a relevant discipline, or combination of equivalent experience and training. 

RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONTACTS

The work involves ongoing contact with members of the management team and other staff. External relationships include those with existing and perspective member agencies, City of Ottawa Social Services and Public Health departments, other social service agencies, and outside partners.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Initiative and good judgment are always necessary when dealing with internal and external contacts, and required to ensure the smooth operation of the organization.  Decisions of various kinds must be made in the absence of the CEO, and problems of an urgent or routine nature must be resolved in the day-to-day administration of the office.  Duties involving confidential matters (e.g., agency information, personnel questions etc.) require the use of discretion at all times.  The ability to effectively identify problems and resolve conflicts is required to work effectively as a team member. 

SUPERVISION

This position supervises all staffing roles in the Programs and Planning department. 

CONSEQUENCE OF ERRORS

Errors in judgement or lack of discretion when dealing with member agencies and other external contacts could impact on the Food Bank’s image and directly affect its ability to efficiently and effectively deliver food to partner agencies who serve those in need..  

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND TRAVEL

Work is performed in an office environment. Travel is usually limited to the National Capital Region.  

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The work is varied and stressful at times.  There are frequent interruptions. Visual stress occurs when using a computer for long periods of time. 

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Excellent English language skills (verbal and written) are a requirement of the position.  Intermediate French language skills (verbal) are an asset.

CLASSIFICATION:    12-14 month contract, full-time position - start date around June 1, 2019

When applying please provide a cover letter and resume which clearly indicates how your meet the requirements of the position.

Apply using this link:  Apply here

NOTE: This posting closes May 6, 2019 

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

The Ottawa Food Bank welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.