Job Opportunity with Americas Policy Group

Program Officer, Americas Policy Group

Canadian Council for International Co-operation

Title: Program Officer, Americas Policy Group (APG)
Location: Ottawa
Supervisor: President-CEO
Classification: Level 5 (unionized)
Salary level: $54,949, prorated to 2 days per week
Term: 1 year maternity leave replacement contract
Start date: Late October/Beginning of November

INTRODUCTION
The Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC) is a coalition of Canadian voluntary sector organizations working globally to achieve sustainable human development. CCIC seeks to end global poverty and to promote social justice and human dignity for all.

The Americas Policy Group (APG) is a working group of CCIC focused on development and social justice issues in the Americas. It brings together approximately forty international development and humanitarian NGOs, human rights groups, labour unions, research institutions, church and solidarity groups. The APG’s mandate is to provide a space for collective reflection and the articulation of co-ordinated policy positions, as well as dialogue, and advocacy with the Canadian government, other governments, and other decision-making bodies.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Program Officer is responsible for coordinating and staffing the activities of the APG, and helping the working group elaborate strategies for policy work integrated into the work of the CCIC. He or she works closely with the Co-Chairs and active members of the APG. Specific areas of priority for the APG are defined annually in the workplan of the APG. Currently, the work of the APG is focused on: human rights and democracy, corporate accountability in the extractive sector, and the impacts of trade agreements and economic integration. APG has done in-depth work on these themes in Mexico, Central America, Colombia and the Andean region.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
During this maternity leave contract, the APG Program Officer will be expected to maintain a minimal flow of the following activities — with the guidance of the Steering Committee:

Monitor and propose opportunities for the APG to contribute to relevant policy discussions within the non-governmental community, and with relevant Canadian ministries, agencies, parliamentarians, and institutions.
Coordinate APG member-led efforts to write policy statements, briefs, reports and news articles.
Assure the functioning and administration of the APG, including preparation of meeting agendas and minutes.
Support the APG in the development of overall policy strategies and ensure their coherence with CCIC’s policy agenda
Participate in staff meetings at CCIC and contribute to CCIC’s newsletter, annual report, reports to the board, and reports to funders.
Co-ordinate fundraising strategies of the working group, including writing of funding proposals.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

University degree or equivalent;
Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience;
Bilingualism in Canada’s official languages;
Ability to read and speak Spanish is important;
Knowledge of Canada’s international policy processes including experience in advocacy and government relations;
Knowledge of the Parliamentary Hill and capacity to network with Parliamentarians is an asset;
Capacity to work in a self-directed manner, collaborate in a team, and to provide leadership;
Knowledge of development issues in Latin America;
Familiarity with the Canadian NGO community and strategies for building policy capacity and collaboration relating to CCIC’s policy agenda, including knowledge of international networks and NGO partnership relations;
Work experience in a developing country, preferably in Latin America is an asset;
Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills;
Proven analytic, writing and research skills;
Ability to handle multiple tasks and work under pressure;
Good administrative and computer skills;
Demonstrated ability to take initiative and to be flexible;
Understanding of gender analysis, the importance of gender equality, and the role of women in development.