Advocacy Specialist

1 week ago

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada University of Waterloo Full time

Overview:


The Advocacy Specialist is responsible for leading and coordinating advocacy efforts driven by and on behalf of undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo.

This includes understanding current student issues, monitoring, and interpreting relevant legislation and regulations, supervising part-time staff, coordinating advocacy campaigns, and building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders.


Responsibilities:

Student Advocacy Planning and Execution

  • Develop and implement advocacy strategies and programs that are driven by WUSA's long range plan to promote student engagement and representation
  • Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within the institution through the development and implementation of initiatives and policies
  • Collaborate alongside their manager to ensure that advocacy priorities are known and understood by administration at the university
  • Prepare regular reports on advocacy efforts and outcomes for Manager and other stakeholders
  • Works closely with the Advocacy and Outreach team to plan and execute events, such as rallies, press conferences, educational campaigns and lobbying days, to advance the organization's policy and advocacy goals
  • Establishes performance indicators and assessment methods to measure achievement in all areas of responsibility including program goals and objectives and individual program success
  • Represents the students' interests and concerns at meetings and events with external stakeholders
Staff Management and Development

  • Supervise a team of parttime staff, including student volunteers, to assist with research and advocacy efforts
  • Responsible for making key decisions in times of crisis when the Manager, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations is not present They must therefore have experience managing difficult situations, crises and making decisions independently, with little direction
  • Oversees the daytoday operations of the student part time staff. The Specialist will be expected to provide additional program support, leadership, and assist in decision making during peak times as programs evolve and grow
  • Develops and coordinates the recruitment, hiring, selection, onboarding, training, performance management, appreciation of and recognition of all direct reports
Administrative and Project Management

  • Monitor and interpret relevant legislation and regulations that affect postsecondary students in Canada
  • Maintain a strong understanding of current trends and best practices around the student experience in higher education
  • Communicate the organization's policy positions and advocacy efforts to the media, members, and the public
  • Collaborate with other departments and the organization's leadership team to ensure policy and advocacy efforts align with overall organizational strategy
Relationship Management and Collaboration

  • Facilitate a strong working relationship with internal stakeholders (WUSA) and campus partners
  • Works closely with other staff at WUSA to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to program development and delivery, and communications
  • Participate in and contribute to regular team and department wide meetings, as appropriate
  • Along with the Manager, works closely with internal staff and campus partners to ensure the needs of current students are being met

Qualifications:

  • Postsecondary degree in a related discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • A minimum of 3 years of experience in advocacy or related field
  • Minimum of 1 year of experience supervising, evaluating and coaching part time employees
  • Strong research and analytical skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Knowledge of conventions and standards in policy/stance writing
  • Experience in determining if policies/stances align with objectives
  • Strong organizational and project management skills
  • Experience in supervising and leading teams
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations affecting postsecondary education in Canada
  • Experience in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion
  • Demonstrated ability to be creative and engaging in event/idea generation
  • Passion for advocating on behalf of postsecondary students and a commitment to promoting access and affordability in postsecondary education
  • Analytical and decisionmaking skills, creative problemsolving approaches
  • Develops, writes, and follows appropriate process documentation
  • Project management, leading teams and delegating to achieve results through teamwork
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team; ability to take initiative and be proactive
  • Advanced: MS Word, Office Suite
  • Work outside the normal operating hours of the institution may be required in some instances, but is limited

Equity Statement:
The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional te

  • Advocacy Specialist

    1 week ago

    Kitchener, Ontario, Canada University of Waterloo Full time

    Overview:The Advocacy Specialist is responsible for leading and coordinating advocacy efforts driven by and on behalf of undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo. This includes understanding current student issues, monitoring, and interpreting relevant legislation and regulations, supervising part-time staff, coordinating advocacy campaigns, and...

  • Agency Relations Coordinator

    1 week ago

    Kitchener, Ontario, Canada The Food Bank of Waterloo Region Full time

    Agency Relations CoordinatorDo you believe everyone should have access to healthy food, and that food can be a powerful tool for connecting people and building better health and a stronger community? Are you looking at making a difference with a well-respected non-profit organization? Are you self-driven and self-disciplined? The Food Bank of Waterloo Region...

  • Academic Program Development Specialist, Future Cities Institute

    1 week ago

    Kitchener, Ontario, Canada University of Waterloo Full time

    Overview The Academic Program Development Specialist reports to the Managing Director, Future Cities Institute (FCI) to support and manage the administration of the future cities programming. Significant aspects of this position include coordination with central university administration (. registrar's office), course and lab scheduling of the academic...

  • Social Media and Marketing Coordinator

    1 week ago

    Kitchener, Ontario, Canada The Food Bank of Waterloo Region Full time

    Social Media and Marketing CoordinatorMarketing and CommunicationsKitchener, OntarioDepartment: Marketing and CommunicationsEmployment Type: Full-time, in-person roleMinimum Experience: Intermediate levelJob PurposeReporting to the Manager, Marketing and Communications, this position works closely with the Communications Specialist and program/project team...

  • Community Navigator

    1 week ago

    Kitchener, Ontario, Canada Sanguen Health Centre Full time

    About Sanguen Health CentreSanguen Health Centre exists to improve individual and community well-being by providing health and social care for people who face barriers to accessing traditional supports. This includes people living with HCV, people who use drugs, those experiencing homelessness and equity deserving communities.Our vision is to create a future...

  • Customer Advocacy Specialist

    3 weeks ago

    Kitchener, Canada D2L Full time

    D2L is a cloud company that is modernizing education and building the Future of Work. The old models of teaching and learning are in the midst of the largest transformation in history, and D2L is at the heart of that fundamental shift. New models of teaching and learning enable a personalized, student-centric experience - and deliver improved retention,...

  • Communications Specialist

    3 weeks ago

    Kitchener, Canada The Food Bank of Waterloo Region Full time

    **Communications Specialist** Do you believe everyone should have access to healthy food, and that food can be a powerful tool for connecting people and building better health and a stronger community? Are you looking at making a difference with a well-respected non-profit organization? Are you self-driven and self-disciplined? The Food Bank of Waterloo...

  • Specialist Intervenor, Kitchener, On

    4 weeks ago

    Kitchener, Canada CNIB Deafblind Community Services Full time

    **Title**: Specialist, Intervenor for the Deafblind community **Location**: Kitchener, Ontario **Position Status**: Permanent **Reports to**: Manager, Deafblind Community Services **Closing date**: March 31, 2023 **Watch the job posting in ASL **here** Life is a journey full of challenges, dreams, adventure, and fun. At CNIB Deafblind Community...

  • Specialist Intervenor, Kitchener, On

    4 weeks ago

    Kitchener, Canada CNIB Deafblind Community Services Full time

    **Title**: Specialist, Intervenor for the Deafblind community **Location**: Kitchener, Ontario **Position Status**: Permanent **Reports to**: Manager, Deafblind Community Services **Closing date**: March 31, 2023 **Watch the job posting in ASL **here Life is a journey full of challenges, dreams, adventure, and fun. At CNIB Deafblind Community Services...

  • Mental Health Specialist

    1 week ago

    Kitchener, Canada Lundbeck Full time

    We are currently looking for a qualified Sales Representative specialized in mental health for the KW, Brampton & area territory. This is a permanent full-time job, reporting to the Regional Business Manager, Mood Disorders. The Mental Health Specialist is part of a regional team that is highly effective, motivated, innovative and enthusiastic to achieve...

  • Government Relations and Policy Specialist

    3 days ago

    Kitchener, Canada Communitech Technology Association Full time

    **Communitech helps founders start, grow and succeed** At Communitech, we’re all about the “F” word. Founders. We were built by tech founders who saw the need for a community of support to help ensure the future prosperity of Canada. No other innovation hub can say that, which is pretty cool. Established in 1997, our mission has been our guide ever...

  • Youth Leadership Specialist

    1 week ago

    Kitchener, Canada Canadian Wildlife Federation Full time

    Your Connection to Wildlife As one of Canada's largest not for profit leaders in wildlife conservation, research, and advocacy, we are seeking to fill the following position WILD Outside Youth Leadership Specialist (YLS) **Location**: Work-from-home in Kitchener-Waterloo, ON **Reports to**: Wild Outside Youth Leadership Manager Fixed-Term until August...

  • Equity Specialist

    3 weeks ago

    Kitchener, Canada Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region Full time

    **Equity Strategist** **Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region** **Role**: As a member of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Regions management team, the Equity Strategist will guide and champion impactful organizational change, to ensure EAFWR is able to provide responsive and barrier free services and workspaces in accordance with our values. They will develop and...

  • Agency Relations Coordinator

    3 weeks ago

    Kitchener, Canada The Food Bank of Waterloo Region Full time

    **Agency Relations Coordinator** Do you believe everyone should have access to healthy food, and that food can be a powerful tool for connecting people and building better health and a stronger community? Are you looking at making a difference with a well-respected non-profit organization? Are you self-driven and self-disciplined? The Food Bank of Waterloo...

  • Supervisor, Student Nutrition

    2 months ago

    Kitchener, Canada K-W YMCA Full time

    **Student Nutrition Program Supervisor** **FULL TIME** **START DATE: February 2023** **LOCATION: Waterloo Region** ***This posting will remain up until February 21, 2023.** Are you an experienced relational leader? Do you have a passion for cultivating authentic relationships and connections with community organizations, educators & families to support,...

  • Social Media and Marketing Coordinator

    4 days ago

    Kitchener, Canada The Food Bank of Waterloo Region Full time

    **Social Media and Marketing Coordinator** Marketing and Communications Kitchener, Ontario **Department**: Marketing and Communications **Employment Type**: Full-time, in-person role **Minimum Experience**: Intermediate level Job Purpose Reporting to the Manager, Marketing and Communications, this position works closely with the Communications...