Public Affairs

As the Public Affairs & Policy Analyst, you will play a vital role providing policy analysis, insights, and advice to the research, energy, environment team, committees, management, board of directors and government stakeholders to advance our strategic plan while providing market access for producers and ensuring the opportunity for economic success. You will effectively identify and engage with opportunities to influence legislative policy, and budgetary decisions at all levels of government, and will play a key role in drafting briefing reports and policy materials to support staff and the board of directors to make key decisions.

**Policy Analysis**
- Monitor government activity, including proposed legislation and policies, election platforms, and public consultations, and proactively identify opportunities
- Research, analyze, and develop strategic policy options, recommendations, and

briefing materials on topics relating to but not limited to agriculture, market access, trade, research, innovation, energy, environment, infrastructure, workforce, sustainability farming, and safety net / risk reduction programming.
- Monitor the political environment and emerging trends to inform policy positions, research reports, community engagement efforts, and government relations activities (i.e., identifying “policy windows”).
- Analyze the policy impact, including potential outcomes and risks, of different policy options to provide sound, strategic, and ethical advice to the research, energy, environment team, committees, executive director, board of directors and government stakeholders.
- Support with maintaining and updating the organization’s advocacy strategy, including by mapping key stakeholders (e.g., elected officials, political and bureaucratic staff, and influencers) and advising the organization on where to focus advocacy efforts to meet overall objectives.
- Develop policy briefs, government and budget submissions, presentations, and other knowledge mobilization products to inform and influence government stakeholders, organizational partners, and/or the public on key issues related to greenhouse vegetable farming.
- Build and maintain positive relationships across relevant orders of government. This includes organizing meetings and engagement opportunities with government officials.
- Track and assess lobbying efforts internally with a view to continuous improvement, and report lobbying efforts externally in compliance with lobbying regulations.
- Post-secondary training or equivalent experience in public policy, public affairs, science, or related field.
- Exceptional writing and communication skills with the ability to make research findings and policy recommendations clear, concise, and compelling for different audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to create compelling research, policy, and knowledge mobilization materials that persuade, inspire action, and get results among a vast array of audiences.
- Experience working on policy issues at the municipal, provincial, or federal level, ideally.
- Demonstrated experience working in a not-for-profit environment with board governance structure.
- Experience managing projects from inception to completion including developing timelines, sequencing tasks, tracking progress, budgeting and identifying and mitigating risks.
- Experience working in a network environment and/or member-based association is an asset.

**The following skills and traits will be highly regarded**
- Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with a diversity of people, including board of directors, members, government officials, partner organizations, staff across all departments, and the public.
- Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and adapt quickly to change.
- Proficiency in monitoring and measuring outcomes and engaging in continuous improvement through key performance indicators.
- Organized, resourceful, highly motivated, and detail oriented.
- Excellent networking and interpersonal skills that facilitate strong relationships.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Teams.
- Previous work experience in agriculture or the greenhouse sector is an asset.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $120,000.00-$130,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Leamington, ON N8H 5H7: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

**Experience**:

- Sustainable agriculture: 5 years (preferred)
- Data analytics: 5 years (preferred)
- Environmental legislation: 5 years (preferred)

Willingness to travel:

- 25% (preferred)