In cities across Canada, people and organizations are finding ways to address complex challenges and creatively shape the future of their communities. They are greening neighbourhoods while producing local food; creating social enterprises to reduce poverty; mentoring immigrants and making spaces for them on community boards; and using community arts and sports to mobilize and celebrate civic participation.

Cities for People is a collaborative experiment that explores the following question: How can we enhance social, ecological, and economic well-being and help civic cultures thrive? It engages multiple stakeholders – citizens, community organizations, policy makers, municipalities, universities, private companies and foundations – in taking collaborative action to create more resilient and livable cities.

Cities for People is offering a 6-month (full-time) internship to support the coordination of its network and communication activities.  This is an opportunity to learn about and contribute to fresh, innovative approaches to working together to make cities more resilient and livable, and to develop a range of professional skills. In addition to experience gained on the job, the intern will be supported in developing a learning plan to help realize his or her learning goals.

Job Tasks

Communications (network and public-facing)

• Web site: Manage and maintain website, write and post content (blogs, events, resources, updates), and provide support to others in the network on their posts
• Social media: Tweet and post based on Cities for People network activities and other relevant items
• Newsletters: Write and assemble a weekly bulletin for the Cities for People network and prepare regular e-newsletters for the broader mailing list
• Network communications platform: Organize weekly meetings, set up and run calls via WebEx; respond to partners and general enquiries; manage network web site
• Other communications activities:
  • Webinars: organize, promote, and manage technical production ofa Webinar series
  • Create presentations (prezi and powerpoint) and reports as needed
  • Video/audio production: support creation processes
  • Input on thinking about and experimenting with collaborations and initiatives to enhance resilience and livability in cities in Canada and beyond

Administration/coordination

• Travel bookings for guests; planning, organizing, and logistics as needed
• Event planning and coordination (g. bookings, catering, speaking tours, site visits)
• Expense reporting and processing
• Note-taking, summarizing, and sharing documents
• Additional support as needed to the National Curator and National Coordinator

Requirements

• Demonstrated interest in and curiosity about social change and improving cities
• Ability to self-direct; good judgment about decision-making and when to ask for guidance
• High tolerance for ambiguity and openness to new ways of working and problem solving
• Well-developed organizational skills
• Strong capacity to work both independently and collaboratively
• Excellent IT skills (including experience in managing a wordpress website and using mailchimp)
• Social media savvy
• Excellent communications, writing skills, ability to copy-edit and communicate complex information in an accessible and compelling manner.
• Fluently bilingual (English and French; flawless written English in particular)
• Desirable: education (preferably Masters level) and / or equivalent experience in a field related to urban planning, sustainability, urban resilience, or city livability.
• Desirable: education and / or work experience in communications or administration

Location: downtown Montreal with occasional travel
Salary: $2400 per month

Please send CV and cover letter to Jayne Engle at jayne at citiesforpeople.ca.

Deadline for applications: 15 December 2014 (Interviews will be held starting 17 December). Please address any questions to Jayne Engle, National Curator: jayne at citiesforpeople.ca or by phone: 514.235.7824.