Grandview Woodland Food Connection in Vancouver, BC is seeking a Community Food Security Coordinator!
About the Company
Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.
Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.
Main Purpose & Function
The Food Security Coordinator reports directly to the Executive Director of Britannia, or designate and is responsible for engaging, mobilizing, organizing and building strong food secure communities through the Grandview Woodland Food Connection (GWFC). Opened in 1976, Britannia Community Services Centre is part of a large neighbourhood complex located at Commercial Drive and Napier Street. It includes a library, elementary and secondary schools, is a hub for social and physical pursuits, and offers an indoor swimming pool, skating rink, fitness centre, plus childcare and seniors, youth, and adult learning center and programs. Britannia promotes an inclusive, accessible, culturally relevant, just and sustainable food system for our neighbourhoods and the City of Vancouver. GWFC is a member of the Vancouver Neighbourhood Food Network, recognizing that access to good food is a key social determinant of health and community well-being for all residents – and in particular, those most vulnerable in Grandview Woodland and nearby neighbourhoods. We are looking for a candidate who combines community development experience with a deep commitment and capacity to ground the work in food justice, and the lived experiences of communities.
Formed in 2007, the GWFC works to build the capacity of the Grandview Woodland neighbourhood to address community food security issues through education, information sharing, collaboration, and the creation of grassroots initiatives. This position works with a Britannia committee which provides the coordinator with expertise, guidance and assistance with decision-making around programming, budgeting and other functions.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
- Working with the community and GWFC to identify food security needs and issues, providing support and facilitation to increase skills and capacities of residents and organizations to plan and implement community food security and food sovereignty projects and initiatives.
- Using innovative collaborative and networking strategies to strengthen the participation and capacity of Indigenous residents, immigrants, youth, seniors and hard-to-reach communities towards a more inclusive community food secure system.
- Working with other Neighbourhood Food Networks to share best practices and resources, problem solve, and collaborate towards network-wide capacity building, program delivery and to help build city-wide food security networks.
- Liaising with other service providers, community, municipality and other levels of government to address identified needs through effective policy.
- Maintaining tools and systems to connect people and organizations e.g., email lists, blog sites, social media, newsletters.
- Managing GWFC programs and/or creating opportunities with the community and Britannia programming team to connect residents with community gardening, food sharing initiatives, food skills programs and workshops, community kitchens, public education and celebration events.
- Keeping informed of current community food programming, trends, ideas, government policies and best practices in the field of food security and food sovereignty and sharing this knowledge.
- Working with the Britannia Volunteer Coordinator to recruit, train, and support volunteers as needed. Providing information to the community and volunteers to better access volunteer opportunities.
- Working with the Manager of Administration Services, senior staff, the GWFC Committee and the Britannia Community Services Society in the development of program operating budgets and grant funding from government and external agencies.
- Monitoring program finances, following established guidelines, policies and procedures for proper financial management.
- Ensuring maintenance of accurate records of memberships, participation, and statistical information in the programs.
- Conducting ongoing needs assessments and evaluations.
- Maintaining proper processes and relations with the Britannia Board of Management
- Relevant duties related to food security and food sovereignty as assigned by the Executive Director.
Qualifications
Education and Certification:
Completion of an undergraduate degree in a discipline related to the work plus at least 5 years of related experience supporting/leading programs and initiatives in planning, community development, nutrition or other related focuses a community setting, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated experience in community outreach, mobilizing, facilitation, organizing, and capacity building approaches to project development.
- Considerable knowledge and experience working with urban Indigenous communities and familiarity with issues related to food security and food sovereignty.
- Considerable knowledge and understanding of food sovereignty and food security principals and the spectrum of food-based programs in Vancouver.
- Knowledge of community resources and services in the Grandview Woodland and neighbouring communities.
- Familiarity with government policy including the Vancouver Food Strategy.
- Proven collaborative leadership and communications skills to work effectively with a wide cross-section of the community representing diverse backgrounds, cultures and socio-economic circumstances, different sectors and divergent goals.
- Familiarity and comfort using digital communication tools i.e., emails, websites, social media, desktop publishing, etc.
- Experience in grant and report writing and proven success with various fundraising approaches.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in outcome measurement frameworks / logic models, workplan development, and program evaluation reports.
- Experience with committee-based processes and facilitation/chairing responsibilities.
If you have any questions please contact Cynthia Low, Executive Director at cynthia.low@vancouver.ca or by calling 604-718-5815
To Apply
Please submit your resume to Jeremy Shier
Business Unit/Department: Britannia Community Services Centre Society
Affiliation: CUPE Local 15 Bargaining Unit
Employment Type: Auxiliary with up to full time hours
Requisition ID: 28865
Application Close: April 22, 2021
At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, LGBT2Q+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
To be considered for this exciting and impactful career opportunity with a generous benefits package, please apply on our careers site.
Read the original posting here.