Policy Coordinator, Community Champions

**Alzheimer Society of Ontario**

**The Alzheimer Society’s **vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Our mission is to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and to promote research.

**OUR VALUES**

Collaboration Accountability Respect Excellence

**Policy Coordinator, Community Champions (One-Year Contract)**

**Reports to**: Director, Government Relations and Public Policy

**Supervises**: N/A

**Job Summary**

The Policy Coordinator, Community Champions will support the policy and advocacy work of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO) and 26 Alzheimer Societies in Ontario (ASiO). The role is responsible for establishing a network of community champions for dementia care, focusing on Alzheimer Society clients and staff. This will include drafting necessary policies, terms of reference, and other documents; identifying and supporting potential community champions; and mobilizing the champion network in support of ASO policy priorities.

Other responsibilities will include administrative support for the Society’s advocacy efforts, facilitating meeting campaigns and other outreach efforts both within ASO and across the provincial Federation. In some instances the Policy Coordinator, Community Champions will represent ASO and/or local Alzheimer Societies in external meetings, including but not limited to meeting with elected officials and participating in consultations to which ASO is invited.

**Essential Duties and Responsibilities**:
**Client and Staff Engagement**
- Establish a network of community champions interested in advocating for better dementia care across Ontario
- Regularly communicate with and support community champions in their meetings with elected officials and other advocacy efforts
- Integrate the champion network into ASO’s broader advocacy initiatives

**Public Policy**
- Monitor and review progress of provincial legislation and regulation impacting the Alzheimer Societies
- Support the development and dissemination of briefing packages and other resources for ASO leadership and local Alzheimer Societies
- Write, review, and submit briefing notes, position statements, consultation feedback, and other policy documents on behalf of the Society
- Support the Public Policy Advisory Council of the ASO Board of Directors as requested

**Government Relations**
- Support the government relations efforts of ASO, including meeting scheduling and follow-up
- Represent ASO in some stakeholder meetings
- Comply with all legislative requirements associated with ASO’s role as an institutional lobbyist

**Research and Analysis**
- Collect data around the effectiveness and value of the Alzheimer Society and its programs
- Effectively present and frame the above for a variety of audiences, including government and the general public
- Regularly monitor and distill external reports and publications relevant to the Society’s work
- Create and maintain a central repository of relevant reports and publications
- Provide supporting evidence and narratives for positions taken by the Society
- Create and update guidance documents related to provincial policy areas of interest to Society clients

**Job Qualifications**

**Education**:

- Undergraduate degree in related post-secondary field (public policy, public management)
- Graduate degree in related field considered, but not required
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered

**Experience**:

- Minimum two years’ experience in policy development, analysis, and/or government relations
- Past experience working with individuals with lived experience, ideally but not necessarily in a health care context
- Proven ability to conduct background research in a given policy area
- Related experience in public policy work an asset

**Other Knowledge, Skills, Abilities or Certifications**:

- Knowledge of the Ontario health-care system an asset
- Experience in community support services an asset
- Superior written and verbal communication skills essential
- Experience in literature review and independent research a strong asset
- Proficiency in Office suite programs required
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize
- Familiarity with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias an asset
- Goal-oriented with high level of initiative

**Commitment to Equitable Recruitment**

The Alzheimer Society recognizes the value and dignity of each individual and ensures everyone has genuine, open, and unhindered access to employment opportunities, free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment, where the rights of all individuals and groups are protected and all members feel safe, respected, empowered, and valued for their contributions.

Our values include **justice** and **connection** and are the guideposts we use for decision-making of all kinds. We believe that this wi