Social Planner Ii

**Requisition ID**:38041

**Company**

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

**M**ain Purpose and Function**

The Social Planner II is responsible for coordinating major social planning projects often involving complex issues impacting various groups/communities. With the Social Planner III, this role will lead the coordination of Social Policy and Projects strategic grant programs. The initial area of focus for this Social Planner II position is to lead the coordination of and provide recommendations related to a diverse range of social grants. This includes making recommendations to senior staff and council on these programs, as well as recommendations related to advancing equity and reconciliation within granting. The position is involved in other departmental projects/initiatives as needed and provide support in the day-to-day operations of the department. In future, this position may be reassigned to focus on other Social Planner II related work within the division based on operational need.

**Key Contacts and Reporting Relationships**

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Social Policy and under the supervision of a Senior Social Planner, this position works independently and as part of a team to help improve the social well-being of Vancouver residents, communities, and neighbourhoods. This position works with consultants and supervises the work of assigned admin staff and a Planning Analyst.

**Specific Duties/Responsibilities**
- Leads the coordination of reviewing, evaluation, and prioritization of grant requests for Social Policy’s grants programs totalling 11.7M
- Conducts revisions of grant strategy, procedures and processes to model a trust-based granting approach through operationalizing changes.
- Supports staff in adopting a relationship centered approach to granting with NPO partners.
- Reviews and revises grants priorities and/or criteria as required.
- Convenes designated communities, citizen groups, community agencies, other levels of government and other funders, identifying issues of concern and assisting in the implementation of solutions to social problems.
- Supports alignment of grants to major civic initiatives including the Healthy City Strategy targets/goals, Food Strategy, City of Reconciliation Commitments, the Equity Framework, Social Infrastructure Strategy, Accessibility Strategy. etc.
- Writes and presents reports to City Council that outline policies, programs, issues and recommendations.
- Conducts research, planning, facilitation and advice between Social Policy and other civic departments in the area of community service needs, social sustainability, early care and learning, and other social issues.
- Creates and executes a department reporting framework for the impact of grants given each year in community.
- Develops, implements and evaluates policies and programs in these areas.
- Supervises staff and consultants as needed.
- Coordinates further integration of departments’ grant management software system.
- Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

**Minimum Qualification Requirements**

Education and Experience:

- University graduation in Social Sciences or other related discipline, preferably at the Master’s level and considerable experience related to the work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Considerable experience with grants programs (writing, reviewing, evaluating, and prioritizing community grants requests).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Extensive knowledge of municipal governmental structure and federal and provincial legislation relating to social services.
- Thorough knowledge of the theory, practice and objectives of social planning.
- Considerable knowledge and understanding of social sustainability, social development, quality of life indicators and social cohesion.
- Considerable knowledge of equity based interventions, specific to funding practices.
- Working knowledge of local organizations, including Indigenous organizations, social agencies, and services operating in Vancouver;
- Knowledge and demonstrated ability, with good results, in working effectively with civic, provincial and federal levels of government.
- Ability to address social issues in partnership with non-profit organizations,