Vice President, Research and Advocacy

Daily Bread Food Bank works towards long-term solutions to end hunger and poverty and runs innovative programs to support individuals living on low incomes and experiencing food insecurity. Daily Bread distributes fresh and shelf-stable food, and fresh-cooked meals to 128 member agencies and 193 food programs across Toronto. Daily Bread also publishes the influential Who's Hungry report - an annual survey measuring trends in food insecurity and poverty in Toronto.

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports: Advocacy Support Worker, Policy and Engagement Specialist, Research Analyst

Terms: 35 hours a week / Permanent - Full-time, Hybrid

Daily Bread offers an inclusive and engaging workplace culture, a competitive salary and a comprehensive employer-paid benefits package. The wages and benefits paid to Daily Bread Food Bank's full-time staff meet the requirements of the Ontario Living Wage Network.

**OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOU**:

- RRSP Matching after 1 year.
- Free daily lunches when on-site at 191 New Toronto St office.
- Free on-site parking.
- 21 days of Paid Vacation per year.
- Creative, kind, fun, and passionate team culture.
- Active social committee.
- Professional Development opportunities.

THE PERSON

**GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES**

The VP of Research & Advocacy leads all work associated with identifying the causes and consequences of poverty as well as evidence-based solutions. The VP works with other departments to mobilize the community in order to advocate with all levels of government on poverty reduction initiatives. These initiatives include the development and support of social policy, raising awareness, and advocacy mobilization to find long-term solutions to poverty reduction.

The VP of Research & Advocacy is an important member of the Senior Management team.

**SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES**

Advocacy and Government Relations
- Lead and manage a comprehensive advocacy strategy, including analyzing social policy initiatives and their impact on people who access food banks as well as the member agencies supporting them, formulating advice on key policy positions, and developing and maintaining strong relationships with key government decision-makers.
- Develop and execute a communications strategy including acting as spokesperson for the organization in various media, panels, and other public facing opportunities.
- Establish and build relationships with community organizations to support opportunities for collaboration.
- Represent Daily Bread and participate as a member of committees and coalitions.
- Develop and oversee implementation of advocacy campaigns using a variety of tactics including digital, government relations, media relations, community mobilization and coalition building.
- Develop government submissions, deputations, testimonies, and briefing notes.
- Provide advice and counsel to the Chief Executive Officer, who is still learning, and other members of the Daily Bread organization.

Research
- With the team, lead the creation research papers relating to poverty, food insecurity, and government policy. This includes the cornerstone of Daily Bread's research, the Who's Hungry Report, which provides quantitative and qualitative data about the experience of hunger and poverty in Toronto.
- Works with all departments to ensure data integrity in public communications.
- Responsible for research knowledge translation and communication activities.

People Management
- Organize the department and establish plans and a culture to meet department objectives.
- Interview, hire and provide training and support to staff within the department.
- Mentor and learn from your team so they thrive in their positions
- Plan, administer and control approved budgets.
- Promote a safe and healthy workplace ensuring adherence to legislation and policy.
- Other responsibilities and duties as may be necessary from time to time.

**INTERNAL/EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS**
- Be a leader on the Leadership Team
- Represent Daily Bread's mission and values to Government, elected representatives, the general public, colleagues and volunteers.
- Disseminate results and findings of research projects to the Daily Bread Community, leaders, and partners across Canada as well as to the general public. This includes disseminating information internally so Daily Bread can improve its service delivery.

**EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE (or equivalent)**
- Master's Degree in the social sciences or the humanities (e.g. education, equity studies, social work, political science, cultural studies, law/justice, public policy or related field) that includes a major research component.
- Minimum 5 years' experience in policy research and/or development and/or advocacy efforts.
- Strong familiarity with public policy development and implementation.
- Experience in a leadership role is an asset.
- Experience utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, specifically within community-based research frameworks.
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