Our goal is to be a diverse and inclusive workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from Aboriginal People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, and Persons with Disabilities. If you are a member of one of the equity groups you are encouraged to self-identify in your covering letter or your resume.

Community Coordinator

Today, more than ever, we are facing a variety of complex community issues that no one organization or institution could be responsible for or capable of fixing. It will take a collective approach that gets many people and projects pulling in a common direction. Inspiring Communities is working to build bridges between communities and to be a part of changing the way that we are collectively tackling challenges to the health and well being of Nova Scotians. We are partnering with NS GovLab, the provincial government’s social innovation lab focused on the shift in our demographic. Together, we will work to create a network for social change.

This work is funded for three years by the federal government (ESDC) and aims to:

• Build a diverse network of engaged and connected social innovators by working with partners in new ways to improve services, programs and policies directed at Nova Scotia’s aging population
• Develop a deeper understanding of population aging in NS and identify gaps in current services and approaches through experimentation
• Create new, multi-sectoral partnerships to build and test potential solutions

This network will provide a space where social innovators can interact to share and address common challenges and opportunities, access resources, and mobilize to implement solutions.

Inspiring Communities and NS GovLab are recruiting a Community Coordinator based in Halifax (travel throughout the province required) to support the creation, launch and operation of this network.

The Amazing Work of the Community Coordinator

The Community Coordinator will coordinate this community-based initiative by engaging stakeholders from across the province. The role requires independent leadership, focusing on building relationships, convening stakeholders, facilitating processes to understand issues and identify new ideas, and testing solutions.

The Community Coordinator will work primarily with NS GovLab staff and fellows. They will also connect their work with ongoing Inspiring Communities work to build a ecosystem of innovators across Atlantic Canada. There will be opportunities to connect and align with Collective Impact projects underway, and regional social innovation lab efforts. This unique relationship will help to connect community building work with policy makers to make real systems-level change.

Responsibilities of the Community Coordinator

The Community Coordinator will provide day-to-day support and coordination of the network. Key responsibilities include:

• Leadership and Engagement: Provide visionary, adaptive leadership to bring diverse groups of people together. Lead outreach to NS GovLab fellows and other stakeholders. Develop partnerships with organizations that can support the Network.
• Convening: Use a variety of community engagement techniques to host courageous conversations that build a deeper understanding of the effects of population aging in Nova Scotia. Actively engage Network members to keep them active.
• Capacity Building: Develop the capacities of residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to effectively enable the network. Lead training for members, project teams and related organizations.
• Project Management and Communications: Co-create the project work plan and steps needed to achieve the overall objectives of the initiative. Develop and coordinate web and social media content, and manage a database of network stakeholders.
• Inclusivity: Implement a community engagement model that recognizes key local and regional groups, and that includes a culturally responsive lens to working closely with underrepresented communities.
• Making Decisions with Data: Create and share data in formats that allows stakeholders to make evidence-based decisions. Oversee development and implementation of shared measurement system that will track common outcomes and indicators across the initiative.

A Great Community Coordinator…

Is an accomplished leader able to work independently in a horizontal team and will be able to demonstrate experience with:

• Moving people into action in community, making positive change
• Building and organizing networks and/or communities of practice
• Social innovation approaches, methods and processes to tackling complex community issues
• Working well with people from a variety of different backgrounds, adapting language and approach to the needs of the audience, and inspiring diverse teams to work toward common goals
• Thinking strategically on both organizational and systemic levels
• Event planning
• Working with data and shared-measurement systems
• Report writing and presentations
• Managing complex project and stakeholder engagement
• Having advanced internet usage skills, including a high comfort level with social media
• Thriving in a fluid, emergent, community based environment with multiple stakeholders and divergent perspectives
• Willingness to work outside a job description to meet the needs of the community

This is a three-year full-time contract position. The salary range is $45,000 to $60,000 depending on experience. References will be required that speak to the responsibilities listed above.

Location: Halifax with travel throughout the province

Your cover letter must speak to your understanding of community engagement and social innovation labs, and how you would approach building this network for social change.

Please send your resume and cover letter to: Annika Voltan, Executive Director, Inspiring Communities at: avoltan at inspiringcommunities.ca

Deadline: April 10th, 2019 by 12:00 noon AST

Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in this exciting opportunity!

Website: inspiringcommunities.ca