Communications and Fund Development Assistant

internal/external posting

job title: Communications and Fund Development Assistant (Administrative Assistant)

job ID #: SJ CFD ADMA 24-0423

department: Communications

reports to: Managers, Communications and Fund Development

salary range: $20 per hour

status: Fulltime (8 weeks, Summer Jobs Contract)

hours: 35 hours per week

Who we are:

Sherbourne is a leading provider of quality health care and transformative support to people who face social, economic, and other systemic barriers. Our mission is to be a dynamic provider of integrated health services, community programs and capacity-building initiatives that enable people and diverse communities to achieve wellness.

Sherbourne provides innovative health care and social services to the diverse urban population of southeast Toronto. While our doors are open to everyone, we focus on people who are homeless or under-housed; 2SLGBTQ, and newcomers to Canada. We are funded by the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health Toronto, Ministry of Community, children and Social Services, City of Toronto and many generous companies, groups and individuals.

Working at Sherbourne

At Sherbourne Health, we care about our staff and recognize that our biggest strength is our people. We have a solid commitment to life-long learning which is demonstrated through our professional development program. We invest in collective work and staff training to improve client care. We supplement this by creating a low-barrier work environment built on equity and respect, while working together in caring, cohesive teams and providing opportunities for advancement.

about the role:

The Communications and Fund Development Assistant supports communications activities, including social media, content and story writing, external and internal digital platforms, and administration and event planning tasks for the Communications and Fund Development team. Due to space restrictions, this role will mainly operate remotely with some in-person time. A company laptop will be provided for the duration of the employment period.

Tasks and responsibilities include:

• Assisting with key communications projects including content and maintenance for Sherbourne’s Intranet, coordinating, and creating content for Sherbourne’s AGM, and annual report.
• Supporting additional communications activities including assisting with social media, interviewing, content writing, and marketing and collaborating with Sherbourne team members on communications needs.
• Assisting with event planning for Sherbourne’s AGM and the launch of a new food security initiative.
• Graphic design projects (posters, infographics, etc.).
• Administrative tasks including report and file organization.

This job offers direct and relevant work experience opportunities which can be considered career-related experience for youth looking for future employment in this field.

Supervision and mentoring plan

The Communications and Fund Development Assistant will report directly to Sherbourne’s Manager, Communications and Manager, Fund Development. Upon starting the position, the assistant and managers will create a work plan for the duration of the student’s 16-week employment at Sherbourne. Weekly status meetings will take place to provide supervision and guidance, and to monitor progress of the work plan. Mentoring will take place through one-to-one meetings to learn more about the charitable sector, working in communications and fund development and to develop professional skills in these fields. As a member of the Communications and Fund Development Team, the assistant will join bi-weekly team meetings and will have opportunities to discuss career planning and working in the charitable sector.

• Client service: Client service skills are developed as the assistant collaborates and works effectively across the organization and with key stakeholders and constituents. With professional communications, the assistant develops relationships across Sherbourne’s stakeholder groups to develop and support communications projects to increase awareness for Sherbourne Health and its stakeholders.
• Teamwork: Team work skills are learned by working collaboratively with the Communications and Fund Development Team and across Sherbourne’s teams to develop and support campaigns and projects as well as plan and execute Sherbourne’s AGM and the launch of a new food security initiative.
• Communication: Both written and verbal communications skills will be developed. Working on projects including developing professional and compelling communications and fund development messaging and materials. Communications skills will be developed through key communications projects for organizational branding and direction and verbal communications skills will be developed through interviewing and preparing client testimonials and building relationships with key stakeholders.
• Digital skills: Digital skills are developed by preparing and managing content for Sherbourne social media including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and by preparing content for Sherbourne’s website. Digital skills in designing communications materials such as posters, flyers, and other marketing pieces will be learned. The student employee will also learn how to use a CRM (customer relationship management) database effectively for communications and stewardship.
• Leadership: Leadership skills are an important learning from this position. The assistant will be an active member of the Communications and Fund Development Team and will be provided with opportunities to collaborate with the team, providing invaluable feedback, ideas, and guidance. We will look to the youth to bring their own experience and leadership to provide fresh ideas and opportunities to the team.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety training is an important component of employment at Sherbourne. The staff person will complete the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) online training modules which include topics on workplace violence and harassment, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), hand hygiene, emergency communication codes, and accessible customer service. The staff person will also complete Ministry of Labour Health and Safety training modules online.

• Workplace hazards are listed in an SDS (Safety Data Sheet) and binder that is accessible on each floor at Sherbourne Health.
• Workshops on anti-oppression, diffusing anger and cultural competencies may also be available to the youth employee.

Skills development

Fields of study that relate to the Communications and Fund Development Assistant role and knowledge from these fields which the youth can bring to this position, include communications, public relations, social media management, and non-profit management. The role offers in-depth experience working in communications and activating communications strategies and tactics and in managing stakeholder communications and events.

Priority Youth

As a local health organization, we will reach out to our existing community partners to hire a priority youth. This includes promoting the position through Sherbourne’s Supporting Our Youth (SOY) program for 2SLGBTQ youth (which includes Indigenous youth and racialized youth). We will also promote the position through the St. James Town Community Corner and post the position on Sherbourne’s careers page on our website and on the career pages of local colleges and universities.

National and local priorities

This position meets both national and local priorities. As an organization, Sherbourne Health provides direct services and supports to youth who face barriers, including immigrant and refugee youth, 2SLGBTQ youth, and youth from racialized communities. We aim to hire a youth from our communities of service to provide skills development and employment training. For local priorities in our riding of Toronto Centre, the position specifically supports Sherbourne Health in providing services and health care supports in high-risk neighbourhoods, youth, low-income individuals and families, immigrants including refugees, 2SLGBTQ communities, Indigenous peoples and services to seniors.

to apply: Please forward a cover letter and resume quoting Job ID # SJ CFD ADMA 24-0423 to myjob@sherbourne.on.ca by May 10, 2024, at 5:00 pm

Sherbourne is dedicated to building an organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve. This includes diversity in languages spoken, culture, race, sexual orientation and gender identity. Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process.

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

BOLD. KIND. REAL. OPEN. WE CARE.