To Apply: Please note, only applications submitted via LinkedIn will be considered. Visit the link here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4440239783/.
Programs and Advocacy Officer
Position Type: Full-time, Contract
Salary & Hours: $60-65K annually + health benefits, 4-day work week (30 hours)
Hybrid - Employee works both in office (Toronto, Ontario) and remotely
Overview:
Working within an anti-oppressive, intersectional feminist, and human rights framework, the Programs and Advocacy Officer plays an integral role in advancing Aura Freedom's mission to eradicate violence against women, human trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence through public education, advocacy, and systems change.
Reporting to the Senior Manager of Programs and Advocacy, the Officer is responsible for supporting the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and advocacy initiatives while exercising a high degree of initiative and independent judgment within assigned projects. The Officer develops educational resources; facilitate educational workshops, trainings and community events; contributes to policy and advocacy efforts; conducts research; cultivates community partnerships; and supports program evaluation and reporting. While this role does not include staff supervision, it requires the ability to manage multiple projects independently and contribute meaningfully to organizational priorities.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Development and Implementation
- Coordinate and implement Aura Freedom's education, prevention, and advocacy initiatives.
- Independently manage assigned projects, timelines, deliverables, and workplans.
- Develop educational resources, toolkits, training materials, presentations, and other program resources that align with Aura Freedom's evidence-based and trauma-informed approach.
- Support the planning and delivery of workshops, conferences, meetings, public education events, and training sessions.
- Monitor project progress and identify opportunities to strengthen program delivery and impact.
Advocacy and Public Education
- Contribute to the development and implementation of advocacy campaigns that advance gender equity and violence prevention.
- Develop educational materials, awareness campaigns, public resources, newsletters, and communications content.
- Draft briefing notes, key messages, advocacy materials, and public education resources.
- Monitor emerging trends, legislation, public policy, and current events related to gender-based violence, human trafficking, and human rights.
- Represent Aura Freedom at community meetings, conferences, and external events, as appropriate.
Research and Policy
- Conduct literature reviews, jurisdictional scans, and environmental scans to support organizational priorities.
- Research emerging issues, promising practices, and policy developments relevant to Aura Freedom's work.
- Synthesize research findings into accessible reports, briefing notes, policy summaries, and educational materials.
- Contribute to policy recommendations, position papers, consultation submissions, and advocacy documents.
Community Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain positive relationships with community organizations, government representatives, researchers, funders, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate meetings and partnership activities.
- Support collaborative initiatives with external partners.
- Respond to inquiries regarding Aura Freedom's programs, resources, and advocacy initiatives.
Program Evaluation and Reporting
- Assist with the development and implementation of program evaluation activities.
- Collect, analyze, and organize program data, participant feedback, and outcome measures.
- Prepare reports for funders, partners, and internal organizational use.
- Maintain accurate project documentation, databases, and records.
- Support organizational learning by identifying trends, outcomes, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
Fundraising Support
- Support grant proposal development by contributing program information, research, work plans, and evaluation data.
- Assist in preparing reports for funders by documenting program outcomes and impact.
- Collaborate with the Senior Manager to ensure programs align with funding priorities and reporting requirements.
General Responsibilities
- Participate in organizational planning, team meetings, and professional development opportunities.
- Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive information.
- Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture.
- Perform other duties consistent with the position as assigned.
Training and Events
The incumbent is expected to:
- Attend organizational orientation and required training.
- Participate in staff meetings and strategic planning sessions.
- Attend conferences, workshops, community events, and outreach activities.
- Occasionally work evenings or weekends to support organizational events and initiatives.
Qualifications and Experience
- Post-secondary education in social work, public policy, gender studies, criminology, sociology, public health, communications, law, or a related field.
- Approximately 2-5 years of relevant experience in program development, advocacy, public education, research, policy, or nonprofit work.
- Demonstrated knowledge of gender-based violence, human trafficking, intersectional feminism, anti-oppressive practice, and human rights.
- Experience developing educational resources, training materials, or public awareness content.
- Strong research, writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
- Excellent verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational and project management abilities with the capacity to manage multiple priorities independently.
- Experience building collaborative relationships with community organizations and stakeholders is considered an asset.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, Canva, and other virtual collaboration platforms.
Work Structure
- 4-day work week (30 hours)
- Hybrid (employee works both remotely and in office)
- Reports To: Senior Manager of Programs and Advocacy
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team.
- Flexibility to occasionally work evenings and weekends.
- Valid Ontario driver's licence and access to reliable transportation is considered an asset.
- Local travel is required.
Opportunity for Growth:
This position offers opportunities to deepen expertise in violence prevention, advocacy, public education, policy development, research, and program leadership while working closely with the Senior Manager of Programs and Advocacy. The role is designed for a professional seeking to expand their leadership capacity, contribute to systems change initiatives, and develop progressively greater responsibility within the organization.