Join the country’s most trusted environmental organization and become a force for good!

About the David Suzuki Foundation

Always grounded in sound evidence, the David Suzuki Foundation empowers people to take action in their communities on the environmental challenges we collectively face. Through evidence-based research, policy analysis, education and citizen empowerment, we conserve and protect the natural environment to create a sustainable Canada.

Our mission is to protect nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life, now and for the future. Our vision is that we all act every day on the understanding that we are One with Nature. #OneNature

As part of our new 10-year organizational strategy, the David Suzuki Foundation is helping to steward an important participatory and inclusive design and implementation processes as part of a new well-being economies program.

How the program works is to influence and transform the core economic model, it’s underlying values and beliefs from a framework in which people and Nature are in service of economic growth-to one. In which the actual aspirations of people and the flourishing of Nature are the core purpose of the economy.

• What have we lost in the pursuit of GDP growth, built on patterns of consumption that are leaving people unhappy and our planet depleted?
• What would it look like to live in a country where wellbeing of people and planet were the purpose of the economy?
• What would it take to get us there within one generation? What kinds of conversations would be needed?
• What would it look like if diverse ways of knowing and worldviews came together to imagine a new economic purpose and system?

You can learn more about us at www.davidsuzuki.org

The David Suzuki Foundation hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equality and diversity within its community and to a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We especially welcome applications from Indigenous persons, visible minority group members, women, persons with different abilities, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. 

Job Description

Position Title: Well-Being Economies Specialist
Terms:  2-year contract (34 hours/ 4 day week)
Location: Based at our Toronto Office, with remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reporting to: Director General, Ontario and Northern Canada
Salary: 55k-65k, based on experience.

• Are you a talented catalyzer in Well Being Economies who wants to make a real difference to the health of our Planet and Nature?
• Do you love contributing to projects and initiatives and know how to influence target audiences?
• Are you a collaborative individual who wants to work with an exceptional team of talented and fun people committed to making a real difference? 

About the role:

In this role, you will be working with project managers, scientists, campaigners, policy analysts and digital and engagement specialists supporting the David Suzuki Foundations’ efforts to steward a transition to an ecologically sustainable and socially beneficial economic system in Canada at different scales, from local to national.

You will coordinate projects, campaigns and initiatives that explore and enable the changes needed to make our societies more resilient in the face of economic failures such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

You are adept at sourcing from high level knowledge of different economic narratives and frameworks (e.g. Doughnut Economics, well-being focused economic thinking, Gross National Happiness) and help radically re-think the purpose of our economic pursuits and systems from the macro to the micro scale.

You lead generative and participatory conversations that help co-create change pathways in an inclusive, non-technical way, and invites diverse perspectives. You help DSF surface solutions rather than be a solution-provider.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, develop and design a new pilot program focused on enabling economic systems that ensure the well-being of people and the planet.
• Support the application of well-being economies principles to the city/municipal/community scale.
• Bring a holistic, systems thinking approach to the design and co-creation of efforts to acknowledge and activate the interconnections between ecological and social priorities in transformation and policy processes.
• Contribute to the development of integrated strategies and content for communications, government relations, campaigns, funder reports, and project delivery.
• Participate in coordination, planning and strategy sessions across DSF.
• Design and host spaces for participatory dialogue and conversations to co-create pathways for well-being economies. 
• Develop presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Share information across DSF departments and regions and among key stakeholders (academic, business, First Nations, municipalities, environmental groups, etc.). 
• Attend meetings, conferences, and public events on behalf of DSF as required.

Qualifications

• Skills, Experience and Knowledge Required. 
• Education and Experience:
• University or college degree required. Transdisciplinary degree is a big asset.
• 5 years professional work experience in more than one of these related fields: systems thinking, social process design, social sciences, non-technical economic studies and/or qualitative sustainable development.
• Demonstrated knowledge of different ‘alternative’ economic models that inform innovation and transformation (from a cultural, worldview and narrative perspective).
• Strong understanding of discovery-oriented methodologies that reveal insights and contributions through the engaged diversity of participants and perspectives (e.g. design thinking, social engagement approaches, etc.)
• Proven ability to apply ecology, systems thinking and complexity science to the economy and social systems.
• Ability to critique the dominant neoclassical, industrial growth economic model from different perspectives in a constructive and generative manner.
• Strong experience in working with diverse stakeholders and across sectors.

What you bring to the role:

• You have a comprehensive working knowledge of concepts such as Doughnut Economics, Well-Being economics, Gross National Happiness.
• You easily and effectively communicate about environmental and social justice issues.
• You have a proven ability to working successfully with local, regional or provincial governments, Indigenous Peoples and equity deserving communities.
• Your excellence in working with networks and coalitions on shared goals is measurable.
• You are a good colleague and like working in a team environment.
• You are adept at research including qualitative and action research skills.
• You are a Project Manager extraordinaire.
• You Excellent English, spoken or written. Spoken French skills an asset.

What You Get:

• Being part of a team of super-stars.
• Generous benefits package.
•  4-day work week.
• Amazing work culture with smart colleagues that really care.
• An experience working in an organization with a focus on technology.

Additional Information

Please submit your portfolio, website, cover letter, and resume as part of your application by going to https://davidsuzuki.org/careers/. The position will stay open until it is filled. Only qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews - and will be invited to do a simple creative exercise.

We recognize the importance of a diversified workforce, and we encourage women, Indigenous People(s), First Nations, Inuk/ Inuit and Métis candidates, members of visible minorities and persons with different abilities to apply.