Coordinator, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations

Coordinator, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations

Toronto, ON (Hybrid role with 2 days in the office)

Full-Time Permanent

Reporting to the Manager, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations the Coordinator, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations will be responsible for supporting the execution of ALS Canada’s advocacy and community engagement strategies with a significant focus on government engagement. The Coordinator, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations will serve as an advocacy relations resource for volunteer advocates and staff.

You will provide support with reviewing and summarizing developments in federal and provincial government programs, policies, and legislation that have implications for the ALS community and the organization’s advocacy efforts. You are a critical thinker and initiative-taker who is familiar with current federal and provincial government affairs. You want to work on a team that cares deeply and in an organization that cares about you. You want your efforts and your work to be meaningful and make a difference in the lives of people. This is the right opportunity for you.

Responsibilities

Advocacy

• Work with internal teams to coordinate and implement the organization’s government relations and advocacy program.
• Analyze federal and provincial (Ontario) government policies, reports, legislative initiatives, and other current events, identifying areas of relevance to ALS Canada and opportunities to advance the organization advocacy efforts.
• Monitor federal and provincial (Ontario) government policies, reports, legislative initiatives, and other current events, identifying areas of relevance to ALS Canada and opportunities to advance our advocacy efforts.
• Provide support in developing and managing key relationships with elected officials, political staff, bureaucrats, and other health sector partners and health charity partners.
• Maintain a database of government and stakeholder contacts and ensure contact reports and activities are captured effectively.
• Create and edit public-facing communications content and materials in support of the organization’s advocacy efforts.
• Provide support for advocacy initiatives (e.g., report releases, lobby day, public engagement campaigns).
• Coordinate logistics related to government meetings and events including the ALS Caucus, Walk to End ALS and the observance of ALS Awareness Month.
• Draft pre-budget submissions and other public- and government-facing materials designed to advance ALS Canada’s advocacy priorities.
• Work with Manager, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations to support departmental communications by collaborating with the communications team to leverage traditional and social media.
• Work in partnership with the Marketing, Strategic Communications and Knowledge Exchange and Fund Development teams to plan and deliver communications content including advocacy emails, e-newsletters, social media and webpages, as well as timely reporting to donors and partners on advocacy initiatives and impact.
• Work with Manager, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations to track lobbying activities and maintain annual/semi-annual lobbyist registration activities.
• Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas and draft minutes of meeting with committee members and/or other key stakeholders.
• Participate in key government and stakeholder meetings as required.

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Relations

• Under the leadership of the Manager, Stakeholder Relations, provide support in the development and dissemination of surveys and other research tools to inform the preparation of patient input submissions regarding access to medicines, respecting time sensitivity.
• Work with Marketing, Strategic Communications and Knowledge Exchange team to identify advocacy content including community advocate stories to share on organization owned and shared channels.
• Support the Manager, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations, and the Marketing, Strategic Communications, and Knowledge Exchange team with stakeholder outreach and management.
• Work with Manager, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations to assist in the development of responses to and key messages on issues and queries received from the ALS community and the broader public.
• In collaboration with the Marketing, Strategic Communications and Knowledge Exchange team, advise the Manager, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations on issues arising from social and traditional media monitoring related to health policy and topics related to the ALS community.
• Represent ALS Canada at relevant events, conference and meetings with government officials and other stakeholders as required.
• Support the development of advocacy presentations and related content for the ALS community.
• Monitor the department’s email inbox, using good judgment to ensure timely, appropriate responses.

What we are looking for:

• University degree/college diploma in public policy, government relations, public administration, political science, humanities, or a related field.
• 2 years’ experience in government relations, advocacy, and public policy development, preferably with a focus on health care.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and provincial (Ontario) political environment.
• Knowledge of legislative and policy making processes of governments and the role of not-for-profit organizations, the public, coalition groups and other stakeholders in influencing these processes.
• Experience developing communications for government relations (PR for GR) content.
• Excellent communicator with outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong time management skills, with experience in multi-tasking, prioritizing competing demands and meeting deadlines.
• Eagerness to learn and drive to take initiative.
• Knowledge of virtual meeting software, Microsoft Teams, Office 365 and web-based tools for project management, time tracking, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and security of all information.
• A keen interest in the organization’s mission and mandate and desire to help make a difference to people and families living with ALS.
• English/French bilingualism an asset.

Apply Today

Submit a cover letter and resume in pdf format by end of day January 6, 2025. Please be sure to indicate the job title in the email subject. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the posting closes.

ALS Canada would like to thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Why join ALS Canada?

A charitable organization that lives its values of accountability, collaboration, compassion, integrity, dynamic, and respect, the ALS Society of Canada is working to change what it means to live with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an unrelenting and currently terminal disease.

Grounded in and informed by the Canadian ALS community, we respond to the urgent unmet need for life-changing treatments by investing in high-quality research that will fuel scientific discovery and by engaging industry, supporting increased clinical capacity, and advocating for equitable, affordable, and timely access to proven therapies.

Responding to the tremendous need for current and credible ALS knowledge, awareness, and education, we empower Canadians affected by ALS to navigate the current realities of ALS, be informed consumers of ALS information, and advocate effectively for change. In Ontario, we provide direct community services to help people navigate ALS.

Founded in 1977, we are a registered charity that receives no government funding – our work is powered by generous donors who share our vision toward a world free of ALS.

Our world is challenging. The people we serve are dealing with a devastating illness. But in the midst of it, their resiliency and spirit are remarkable and moving. You will be touched by the community and will find a way to engage naturally and effectively.

ALS Canada is committed to accommodating the individual needs of job candidates, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), ALS Canada is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities within our recruitment processes. Please contact the HR department at jobs@als.ca if you require an accommodation during the recruitment process.

ALS Canada is committed to being an equitable employer, we strongly encourage people from equity seeking groups to apply.