External Affairs Specialist

Internal/External Posting Notice

Title:                                           External Affairs Specialist

Department:                             Policy, Campaigns and Communications

Status:                                        Full-time, unionized

Location:                                    Ottawa, ON Canada (Remote Possible)

Immediate Supervisor:            Director, Policy, Campaigns and Communications

Salary:                                        $70,527 - $91,579

Level:                                          Band 3

Application Deadline:               January 14,  2024

Oxfam Canada is an affiliate of the international Oxfam Confederation networked in over 90 countries as part of a global movement for change. Our mission is to build lasting solutions to poverty and injustice with a focus on improving the lives and promoting the rights of women and girls. We work directly with communities, partners and women's rights organizations to challenge the systems that perpetuate inequality and keep people poor. Together we seek to influence those in power to ensure that women trapped in poverty have a say in the critical decisions that affect them, their families and entire communities. That’s why we believe that ending global poverty begins with women’s rights.

Oxfam Canada offers a generous compensation and benefits program, but more than that, we offer the opportunity to be a part of our global movement for change. If you advocate for gender equality, are passionate about women’s rights, and share our values of Equality, Empowerment, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Accountability, and Courage – we want you on our team!

S****COPE OF POSITION:

Reporting to the Director, Policy, Campaigns and Communications, and working closely with the Policy and Advocacy team and the Communications team, the External Affairs Specialist is responsible for leading the development and execution of Oxfam Canada’s government relations and media outreach. The External Affairs Specialist will work with teams across the organization, including members of the Senior Leadership Team, to develop government and media relations initiatives to advance Oxfam Canada’s organizational priorities. Well versed in government processes and having a strong existing network of contacts, the Specialist will ensure that Oxfam Canada’s influencing priorities are brought in front of decision-makers and to the public through media.

The External Affairs Specialist is a people person who enjoys making connections and building working relationships to increase Oxfam’s visibility and profile, and help advance Oxfam’s vision for a just and sustainable world. They thrive in developing outreach strategies and identifying opportunities to engage government and media in our work, and act as a spokesperson for Oxfam.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES**:** (This is not an exhaustive list of duties to be performed)

• Develop and execute outreach plans to ensure Oxfam Canada’s influencing priorities are brought in front of government officials.
• Monitor and identify relevant parliamentary processes and mechanisms to grow support for Oxfam Canada’s influencing priorities.
• Build strong relationships with relevant Members of Parliament, government officials and political staff.
• Support policy and advocacy and senior leadership teams in analyzing political trends and identifying risks and opportunities.
• Support policy and advocacy team in developing influencing strategies and executing key activities.
• Support the Executive Director and senior leadership team members to build up their media profile and relationships with key decision makers.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the communications team to identify media moments
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with journalists and producers to ensure Oxfam Canada issues are covered in media.
• Organize news conferences and policy events.
• Produce high quality advocacy and communications products (briefing notes, press releases, media pitches, op-eds, etc.) to engage policy-makers and secure media coverage.
• Act as Oxfam Canada spokesperson in the media and with government, and support other OCA spokespeople in preparation for interviews.
• Monitor media and provide regular media roundups, summaries and analytics using Meltwater.
• Other duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES:

• Master’s degree in relevant field of study (such as Political Science, International Relations, Journalism) or equivalent education and experience;

• Minimum of seven years in a comparable external relations/public affairs position;

• Experience working on government relations and advocacy in the not-for-profit sector;

• Experience working on social justice, women’s rights and/or international issues;

• Commitment to Oxfam’s mission and strategic focus on women’s rights and gender justice and to Oxfam Canada’s feminist principles.

• Proven track record in developing and implementing government and media engagement strategies and plans;

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Canadian policy landscape and experience with parliamentary processes and mechanisms;

• Proven experience in influencing, lobbying and/or advocacy of Members of Parliament, government officials and political staff.

• Superior written and verbal communication skills;

• Proven track record of working with media and journalists;

• Knowledge of new media trends;

• Ability to convey complex ideas in plain language to varied audiences;

• Ability to troubleshoot and anticipate challenges, and effectively and efficiently handle multiple, simultaneous, and complex tasks and projects;

• Capacity to develop expertise in new issue areas;

• Strong English language skills required; French language skills a strong asset;

• Willingness to sign and abide by the Oxfam Code of Conduct.

In addition to competitive pay, we offer:

• 35-hour workweek and the ability to work flexible hours
• A hybrid workplace where staff can work from home and the Ottawa office
• 4 weeks paid vacation per year, plus paid office closure between Christmas and New Year
• Extensive health, dental and wellness coverage for you and your dependents
• Paid sick days, and additional time off for personal and care responsibilities
• Pension plan contributions
• Caring, compassionate and supportive work environment that recognizes that work is one of the many responsibilities we have to prioritize in our lives
• Regular opportunities for all staff across Canada to meet – in person and virtually – to learn, connect and grow as a team!

** MUST be eligible to work in Canada **

If you don’t see yourself reflected in every job requirement listed in the posting above, we still encourage you to apply.

Oxfam Canada is committed to diversity and equity around the globe and in our workplace. All our work is led by six core values: Equality, Empowerment, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Accountability, and Courage. We welcome applications from: women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, visible minorities, and others who may contribute to diversification and share our values. If you are invited to continue the selection process, please notify us as soon as possible of any particular adaptive measures you might require. Applicants are encouraged to share accessibility needs in the application process, and every attempt will be made to accommodate them.

Important Note: All offers of employment are conditional upon signing our strict code of conduct, subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for Oxfam Canada.

For additional career opportunities within Oxfam Canada, please visit oxfam.ca/employment-opportunities. Please note that we are not able to offer internships or overseas volunteer placements.

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We thank all those who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.