Position: Interim Director
Start Date: March 13, 2017
Contract: 9 months, full-time
Compensation: Up to $65,000, Depending on Experience

Main Purpose and Function

The Community Economic Development Strategic Action Committee (CEDSAC) is a network of representatives of Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES) resident groups, community organizations, and social enterprises that worked with the City of Vancouver from March 2016 to November 2016 to co-create a DTES Community Economic Development (CED) Strategy. The CED Strategy was adopted by City Council on November 30, 2016. Read the full report: https://council.vancouver.ca/20161130/documents/pspc2.pdf

CEDSAC is now involved in the implementation of the CED strategy. One of the strategic actions is the development of a governance model for an entity to “enhance and support the range of CED work already going on and to fill gaps where major opportunities have been identified.” CEDSAC is tasked with developing this model. The intention is that the existing CEDSAC body will make the transition to the new model by the end of the year.

CEDSAC is seeking an experienced strategic leader who can facilitate this transition into a values-based ‘community backbone organization’ with a mission to enhance community economic development in the DTES. The Interim Director will play a crucial role in developing the structure for the new organization, including governance and funding.

In addition to this specific responsibility, the Interim Director will oversee the CEDSAC work in progress associated with the implementation of the CED Strategy, including supervision of the CEDSAC staff.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

The Interim Director will:

• Develop the governance, organizational and funding model for the new ‘community backbone organization,’ including:
  • Conduct research into potential governance models and organizational structures.
  • Solicit community input on the new organization.
  • Develop vision, principles, and mission statement.
  • Develop a funding structure that secures the sustainability of the organization and a 2018 operating budget.
  • Develop governance model, including membership framework.
  • Develop operating model, including staffing.
• Organize the transition of CEDSAC into the new organization, including:
  • Plan and facilitate transition and new organization launch meeting (target: September 30th, 2017).
  • Prepare initial 18-month strategic and operational objectives.
• Direct the work of CEDSAC currently underway, including:
  • Development of a collective impact framework for monitoring and evaluation.
  • Communications plan and website.
  • Supervision of staff (CED Coordinator).
  • Support of CEDSAC governance process.
  • Coordination of CEDSAC Working Groups and CED projects underway.

Job Qualifications and Eligibility

Ideal Education and Experience:

• Diploma or university degree in Community Economic Development or relevant disciplines (Business Administration, Public Policy, Sociology, Urban Geography).
• 10+ years working in non-profit administration or in local government.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Superior level of English language communication skills, both written and oral. Cantonese also an asset.
• Ability to facilitate meetings addressing complex and possibly emotionally charged issues in a neutral, diplomatic, constructive and proactive way.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups, communities and partners.
• Ability to lead organizational development and strategic planning processes with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Ability to develop funding models, fund-raise for an organization, and manage budgets.
• Ability to manage staff toward successful achievement of organizational goals.
• Knowledge and understanding of the DTES low-income community and the needs of its residents.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques relating to community economic development and community organizing, including social and local procurement,community benefits agreements, social impact and local employment, community investment, co-operatives, urban food production, local small business, social enterprise, and social innovation.
• Ability to work constructively with multiple levels of government.
• Thorough knowledge of current public policy environment as it relates to issues of social justice, including poverty alleviation, the informal economy, mental health and addiction.
• Understanding of the Canada Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, and the actions adopted by the City of Vancouver as a ‘City of Reconciliation’ and the Vancouver Parks Board.

Job Structure & Time Commitment

This is full-time contract position for 9 months. The objective is the establishment of a permanent CED organization that will require staffing. Our hope is that the Interim Director will continue on as Founding Director of the eventual CED organization, pending performance review and funding. This is a position for someone who wants to build a new and innovative organization, not a short-term consulting contract.

The Interim Director will report to CEDSAC through the Executive Committee.

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and cover letter c/o Kiri Bird to kiri at ledlab.ca by 11:59PM on Sunday

February 19, 2017. Interviews for the position will take place on February 27 - March 2, 2017.

In your cover letter, please respond to the following:

• Why do you want to be Interim Director of CEDSAC?
• What is your relationship to the DTES community?
• What is your understanding of the economic challenges facing the low income and aboriginal communities in this area?
• What is your experience with organizational leadership and development, governance, fund raising and financial management, and community organizing?

Residents of the DTES community, women, and people of ethnic diversity are encouraged to apply.

SOURCE: DTES Community Economic Development Strategic Action Committee