Sr. Advocacy Coordinator

Internal / External Job Posting:  Sr. Advocacy Coordinator

Full-time, permanent, 37.5 hours/week

ABOUT THE STOP:

The Stop Community Food Centre is a leading-edge and nationally respected non-profit organization that has been providing innovative programs and advocacy to address problems of hunger and inequality for over 40 years ). The Stop's mission is to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community and challenges inequality.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Community Advocacy Senior Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of the Community Advocacy Program, including the daily operation of the Advocacy Office, the Community Action Training and support and supporting systemic advocacy initiatives at broader levels.  The Senior Coordinator collaborates with Community Advocates and the staff in the food bank, drop-in, volunteer, and civic engagement programs.   

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate the team of Advocates/Mentors, work with the Community Advocacy Coordinator (CAC) to facilitate teams' meetings, arrange and facilitate ongoing educational, and training opportunities
• Work with the CAC to provide admin support to advocates/mentors i.e., scheduling, providing honoraria, and providing facility and equipment for their use
• Provide support and act as a resource to the Advocates to do light casework
• Provide direct casework support to community members including: advocacy, assessment, supportive counselling, crisis intervention and brief case management when required
• Work with the Advocates/Mentors to identify areas for strategic systemic action and develop campaigns and initiatives to address these injustices
• Network and build connections with other agencies and activist groups to support both the casework and systemic work being done by the project
• Provide support and supervision to students and volunteers (with Volunteer Coordinator) working with the Advocacy program
•  Develop the Community Advocacy Training (CAT) program, recruit trainees and facilitate training
• Develop and publish necessary documents needed for the training
• Track and document the progress of the Advocacy program, collect data and produce annual and other reports as needed
• Support and connect advocates with the anti-poverty collectives and networks,  and other Social Justice Groups
• Provide support to the CAC and other trainees working in the advocacy program
• Support the Advocacy program provided off-site (Wychwood Open Door - WOD)
• Maintain and cultivate the partnership with off-site office providers/partners (e.g., UNISON, DPNCHC, Anishinaabe Health)

GENERAL:

• Represent The Stop at advocacy networks and coalitions and work collaboratively with partners
• Participate in developing program, implementation and operation plan and work with your team and other staff evaluating programs
• Develop funding proposals, write reports to funders as required
• Participate in broader organizational activities and events
• Attend staff and team meetings
• Other duties as needed

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Degree in Social Work, or a combination of post-secondary education and relevant paid program experience, providing case management or social work support
• Minimum 3 years' experience with program coordination in a social service setting
• Excellent knowledge of systems with which low-income people interact, including Ontario Works, ODSP, subsidized housing, Legal Aid, and health care
• Demonstrated experience working with marginalized people and people of diverse cultures and abilities in a community-based setting
• Solid experience in effective individual advocacy and community organising
• Excellent group facilitation skills
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to speak a language relevant to the neighbourhood is also an asset