Advocacy Coordinator

MCIS Language Solutions is a non-profit that has evolved into a model social enterprise and has been relentlessly pursuing its goal to remove language barriers for over 30 years. With over 60 full time staff and engaging a roster of over 6,000 interpreters, translators, voice artists, transcriptionists, training facilitators, and other language professionals, MCIS provides a full suite of language solutions: from language interpretation, translation and transcription to localization, training, and training development for government, legal, police services and healthcare organizations in 300+ languages. VISION | To connect people globally through languages. MISSION | To improve access to critical information and services through high quality language solutions. VALUES | Making a Difference, Compassion and Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, Social Justice Every year MCIS invests some of its net income into initiatives that support free services for vulnerable populations, training subsidies for aspiring interpreters and translators, and language advocacy initiatives such as the Our Language Rights Canada Conference on Canadian Language Advocacy Day. Our Social Purpose Statement is that _we exist to uphold the human right to be informed, heard, and understood._ Language rights protect the rights of individuals and groups to choose which language(s) they use in private as well as in public interactions, such as legal, health, educational or political access to information and services. Reporting directly to the Director of Social Purpose, Impact & Culture, the Advocacy Coordinator is responsible for supporting MCIS’ Social Impact Team with political and stakeholder outreach initiatives to advocate for equitable language access across Canada. The role will be responsible for maintaining the members network, social media, and newsletter accounts, researching language policy issues in Canada, writing reports and other deliverables, and meeting with relevant political actors and stakeholders affected by language access issues. **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES** The Advocacy Coordinator role is comprised of the following main activities: - Assists the Senior Social Purpose and Policy Specialist’s advocacy evaluation in respect to municipal, provincial, and federal messaging, contributing to grassroots advocacy campaigns. - Maintains and develops relationships with various coalition members, government and agency policy advisors, and other stakeholders to gather or discuss implications of proposed policies and approaches on priority issues within the realm of language access. - Recruits, engages, and retains advocates, and cultivate relationships with various coalitions, and other community leaders to help advance priorities while participating in committees, government tables, and working groups (as required). - Gathers, classifies, and assesses data, including legislation, laws, policies, trends, and government and stakeholder reports in relation to language access issues, and prepares letters, reports, submissions, briefs, research, position papers as policy responses (as required). - Assists the Senior Social Purpose and Policy Specialist campaign and event planning and coordination in relation to Language Advocacy Day, or other language access events and activities. **Other duties that are assigned and that are reasonably within the scope of this position.** **EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS** - **Communication**: able to communicate policy research findings to diverse audiences, strong written and oral communication skills. - **Collaboration**: able to work within a virtual team environment and can balance working independently and collaboratively. - **Critical thinking**: creative and strategic thinker, able to analyze problems from different perspectives and put forward solutions. - Experience with social media communication is an asset. - Fluency in French, or other languages is considered an asset. **EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE** The Advocacy Coordinator should have completed, or is currently pursuing, a graduate degree in political science, public policy, social work, community development, immigration & settlement studies, or other related areas, with some experience in working with various stakeholders on advocacy issues, and an interest in public policy, social justice, and language access. **This is a temporary, part-time, independent contractor position, with the possibility of extension.** The Advocacy Coordinator may work up to twenty (20) hours per week with flexible hours, and a contract term of eight (8) months. The Advocacy Coordinator’s work can be completed remotely, with the possibility of occasional in-person activities in Toronto. The Advocacy Coordinator must have access to a computer with reliable internet speed. **Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.** **Job Type**: Contract