Information Technology Specialist

About the Project

Supported by the Government of Canada under its Social Development initiatives, CAFCAN is leading the collaborative implementation of the Kujenga Pamoja II Project, out of which the Canadian Institute for People of Afrikan Ancestry (CIPAA) will be developed. CIPAA among others, seeks to dismantle systemic barriers against Back Canadians in education, health, justice, and economic empowerment through advocacy grounded in lived experience of community to influence policy, legislation and programming at all levels of government in Canada in consonance with the UN Decade for People of African Descent pillars of Recognition, Justice and Development; besides related human rights treaty obligations.

The project is planned for different regions. Hiring an IT Specialist to add value to the project team, including the development of a National e-Library for access across Canada (research updates and relevant information) to enhance advocacy for systemic and structural change. One of the CIPAA goals is to be a research hub for stakeholders and partners.

Position Overview

The IT Specialist will lead the design, development, and implementation of a national digital infrastructure to support the project. This position is based in Toronto, with coordination and occasional travel across four regional project sites. Support staff may also be engaged at project locations to assist with implementation.

Working closely with project teams across project sites, the IT Specialist will build and maintain a secure, user-friendly E-Library and digital collaboration system that provides equitable access to research, data, and advocacy resources.

While the primary focus is on
t
echnical systems, network architecture, and user support, the position will also collaborate with research and policy staff to develop tools and platforms that enable basic data organization and visualization to inform community-driven advocacy influencing policy, legislation, and programs at all levels of government for structural change.

Key Responsibilities include the following:

System Development & Implementation:

Lead the end-to-end setup of the project's digital platforms, including the e-Library infrastructure, cloud hosting, security protocols, and user access controls.

1. Network & Infrastructure Management:
2. Establish and maintain secure connectivity across four project sites; oversee backups, storage solutions, and system performance.
3. Cybersecurity & Compliance:
4. Ensure adherence to Canadian data protection and privacy legislation (PIPEDA, PHIPA) and organizational data governance standards.
5. User Support & Capacity Building:
6. Provide technical support, troubleshooting, and training to staff and partners with varying levels of digital literacy.
7. Knowledge Platform Maintenance:
8. Coordinate with research and communications teams to ensure the E-Library is current, functional, and organized with intuitive search and retrieval features.
9. Assistive Data Systems Role:
10. Support research staff in establishing data storage structures and dashboards; assist with the setup of simple data analytics or visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Airtable).
11. Documentation & Quality Assurance:
12. Develop standard operating procedures, maintenance logs, and user manuals to ensure sustainability and consistency across project sites.
13. Innovation & Accessibility:
14. Promote inclusive and accessible design practices, ensuring the E-Library is responsive and usable across devices and bandwidth environments.
15. Performs other related duties consistent with the general scope and responsibilities of the position, as may be assigned

Qualifications & Experience

We strongly encourage applications from individuals who bring lived experience in Black communities and/or social justice work.

Required:

1. Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Information Technology, or related field.
2. Minimum 5 years of experience in IT systems setup, networking, or digital infrastructure management.
3. Proven competence in network design, server or cloud administration, and system security.
4. Certifications such as CCNA, CompTIA A+, or equivalent are strong assets.
5. Experience supporting multi-site organizations or community projects with diverse user needs.
6. Familiarity (or willingness to learn) basic data management or visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or SQL is an asset.
7. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
8. Commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, and an understanding of the importance of community-based knowledge sharing.
9. Ability to communicate in English, French and community language will be an advantage

Core Competencies

1. Systems and network administration
2. Cybersecurity and data protection
3. Technical troubleshooting and problem-solving
4. Digital literacy training and user support
5. Collaborative teamwork across disciplines
6. Continuous learning and adaptability
7. Cultural humility and community engagement
8. Bilingualism

Reporting & Collaboration

The IT Specialist reports to the Director (Operations) and works collaboratively with:

• Implementation, Community Engagement, Research, Policy and Data teams to ensure technical systems support information-sharing needs
• Communications staff for platform updates and accessibility
• Regional site team for connectivity and system performance;
• External consultants or data analysts as needed to integrate data-driven advocacy tools.

What We Offer

• A culturally grounded and supportive team environment.
• Opportunities to contribute to systemic change and community well-being.
• Professional development support.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Competitive compensation.

EQUITY and JUSTICE COMMITMENT

CAFCAN is dedicated to advancing equity and justice for Black communities. The selection process will prioritize proposals that reflect lived experience, authentic engagement, a transformative vision, and alignment with CAFCAN's mission, vision, values, and guiding principles.

DISCLAIMER

CAFCAN reserves the right to modify, postpone, or cancel this posting at any time without prior notice. All applicants will be notified of significant changes as soon as possible.

CONCLUSION

By submitting a proposal, applicants commit to actively advancing equity and justice for Black communities in Canada. This posting presents a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change through research, outreach, and policy. We look forward to reviewing applications and working together towards a more just and inclusive future.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as Black and/or who have lived experience with the communities we serve.

Please submit your cover letter and resume outlining your interest, relevant experience and alignment with the role to: and include IT Specialist in subject line on or before
December 09, 2025, at

11:59 PM
EST.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their interest and commitment to advancing equity and justice for Black communities in Canada.

We thank all applicants for their interest, dedication, and commitment to advancing equity and justice for Black communities in Canada.