Food Secure Canada is looking for its first Executive Director!

(see Coordinator's job description)

Would you like to be at the forefront of building a national movement for a fair, healthy and ecological Canadian food system?

Are you excited about leading a dynamic, cross-sectoral network of individuals, organizations and businesses working to build a better future for food in Canada?

Are you motivated by the possibility of working with a dynamic team of board members, network members, staff and volunteers to strengthen and grow Food Secure Canada's vision and effectiveness?

Food Secure Canada is a Canada-wide alliance of civil society organizations and individuals collaborating to advance dialogue and cooperation for policies and programs that improve food security in Canada and globally. Together we are creating the building blocks of a healthy, fair and ecological food system, grounded in strengthened democracy and community action. Food Secure Canada is the only diverse national food issues network in the country, with leaders from all regions and sectors.

The ideal candidate:

• Feels passionately about food issues in Canada and their connection to the environment, economy and health of Canadians. Has previous experience working within Canadian food movement networks and organizations, through policy, research and outreach.
• Has a proven track record in leading and managing social justice organizations. The candidate will be responsible for leading a small team and must be able to competently manage and motivate colleagues, working collaboratively based on consensus decision-making principles.
• Has demonstrated success in building a diverse funding base, including developing and implementing funding strategies through public and private giving and earned income. The candidate will be responsible for continuously seeking funds to facilitate the work of Food Secure Canada, and must feel confident, passionate and comfortable with this role.
• Has proven ability to build bridges, create partnerships, and achieve consensus among diverse groups, stakeholders and organizations. Food Secure Canada's new Executive Director will be skillful, persuasive and inclusive when reaching out to our wide array of members, cross-sectoral networks, policy makers and stakeholders.
• Is a confident, compassionate leader who handles complex decisions well, prioritizes effectively, and shifts easily from one task to another in a fast-paced day without compromising quality of work.

Desired qualifications:

• Commitment to social justice and experience with participatory community development approaches.
• Experience working in the food movement and using a food systems approach.
• Demonstrated ability to run an organization at a senior level including financial and administrative management, fundraising, project management, human resources, and organizational and strategy development.
• Proven track record in policy and research agenda development, coalition building, political advocacy, media representation and government relations.
• Experience building, and working collectively with a team, as well as the ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to build organizations, coalitions, and programs for social justice
• Ability to work productively with a diverse groups of stakeholders, support them to reach consensus and find common ground.
• Has experience working closely with a Board of Directors in ways that maximize the effectiveness of both staff and board.
• An educational background including the interrelationship between food, health, agriculture, equity, economy and sustainability.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in English and French (Food Secure Canada is a bilingual organization) would be an asset.
• Ability to work flexible and irregular hours and to travel several weeks a year.
• A substantial portion of the job will require presence in Ottawa, therefore willingness to relocate to within easy reach of Ottawa would be an asset

Job description:

• Take the lead staff role in governance of the organization
• Act as official legal representative of the organization
• Support and facilitate the development and articulation of the vision and mission of the organization with the Executive and Steering Committees
• Lead in development of organization’s strategic plan /annual workplan
• Lead fundraising strategy and seek funding and write grant proposals and reports
• Represent FSC in public forums and in policy arenas
• Undertake advocacy together with member organizations/keep eyes out for opportunities for advocacy opportunities for members
• Respond to media requests 
• Seek partnerships and liaise with organizations in the field, and identify new and emerging opportunities for FSC and partners
• Liaise with funders, international organizations and with institutions and government
• Maintain contacts with member organizations and networks
• Hire and supervise administrative staff
• Create and manage budgets for FSC (with Treasurer)
• Maintain regular communication with SC: develop SC agendas together with chair and attend SC meetings
• Liaise with Executive Committee, attend meetings etc.
• Ensure books are kept and monthly reports given to Steering Committee, in liaison with Treasurer
• Supervise arrangements for Biennial Assembly, with support from coordinator
  • hire and supervise contract staff
  • work closely with content and logistics committees
  • Seek donors and partners for Assembly, with support from coordinator
• Organize biennial electronic AGM with support from coordinator
• Oversee communications
• Conduct annual and ongoing evaluation of staff and programs
• Other tasks as required

Tasks which may be seconded to other staff, volunteers, or members of the Steering Committee:

• Organize regular educational electronic events for FSC membership
• Research, write, collect documentation and information about food system issues and share with our members /networks

This is a ten-month renewable position. Salary range is $55,000-$65,000 per year pro rated including benefits, based on experience. Please forward a cover letter and resume to ED_hiring_committee@foodsecurecanada.org.

The application period ends on January 20th, 2012. Interviews will take place February 1-8, 2012. Only successful candidates will be contacted for an interview. Internal candidates may also be applying for this positio