ABOUT THE CANADIAN CED NETWORK

The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) is a values-based, non-profit association committed to connecting people and ideas for action that builds local economies, strengthens communities, and benefits everyone. We have members throughout Canada, including organizations, networks, and individuals who are strengthening sustainable and equitable local economies. Members are active across many sectors such as community development, social enterprise, rural development, co-operative development, employment development, and housing.

We are committed to the values of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Dignity, Self-Determination, Solidarity, and Local Control. Together, we are working towards sustainable and inclusive communities directing their own social, environmental, and economic futures through our Theory of Change.

ABOUT THE INVESTMENT READINESS PROGRAM

The Investment Readiness Program (IRP) is a federal government initiative taking place over 2 years (2021 to 2023), designed to help advance social innovation and social finance (SI/SF) in Canada. CCEDNet’s role in the IRP includes providing partner convening, connecting, wayfinding, and principles-focused evaluation for the IRP partnership as a network of expertise, grounded in inclusion and equity. To accomplish this work, we collaborate with the Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience (WISIR), Startup Canada, Ajah, other specialists as needed, and the IRP unit of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). WISIR in particular is a direct project partner of CCEDNet and will also work on a related dynamic ecosystem mapping project. The IRP overall consists of 20-30 additional partners either delivering funds to social purpose organizations for investment readiness activities or undertaking a variety of projects to build the ecosystem of support for social innovation and social finance in Canada. 

ABOUT THE POSITION 

You will help advance social innovation and social finance practice in Canada by acting as a convener and connector, bringing together the partners and stakeholders of the Investment Readiness Program to coordinate their actions and build a stronger ecosystem of support for social purpose organizations. 

OPPORTUNITY

A natural relationship builder, this is your opportunity to coordinate and collaborate with key organizations in the social innovation and social finance ecosystem across Canada, particularly the IRP partners and Partnership Team. 

• Plan digital meetings of both the Partnership Team and various working groups, including setting agendas, creating preparatory materials, and confirming logistics are in place to ensure meetings run effectively and efficiently. 
• Liaise with the Partnership Team members to coordinate their roles focused on evaluation, digital connecting, data management, and peer-learning. 
• Develop a deep understanding of the needs of the broader partnership in order to be able to suggest and implement actions that support a stronger ecosystem approach.
• Work particularly closely with WISIR as they evaluate the IRP using a principles-based evaluation methodology and map the relevant ecosystem to generate useful information towards a stronger social innovation and social finance field in Canada. 
• Ensure all the partners of the IRP are able to easily connect and learn from each other by collaboratively planning the agenda, participatory facilitation plan, and logistics for at least 3 all-partner meetings, including 1 in-person meeting where you’ll also make sure the venue, refreshment, and travel arrangements are in place.
• Collaborate with the Engagement Manager on responses to help desk inquiries, developing public communications, and coordinating this work with Startup Canada’s digital partner’s platform. 
• Complete the project on budget by managing spending related to meeting logistics, WISIR’s evaluation, mapping, and learning role, and other partnership costs. 
• Contribute project information to the Regional Networks Director’s reports to ESDC, to demonstrate CCEDNet’s progress and outcomes. 
• Connect across the CCEDNet landscape to learn more about our broader work, informing your convening role, and building your own network.

TEAM & ENVIRONMENT

As part of the IRP team at CCEDNet, you will report directly to the Regional Networks Director and work closely with the Engagement Manager, IRP to meet CCEDNet’s objectives in the IRP. At CCEDNet, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with staff team members working on national and regional engagement as well as administration and finance. In the IRP ecosystem, you’ll work most closely with staff of the Partnership Team, and have many chances to engage with IRP partners broadly.

CCEDNet staff team offices are located in Victoriaville (Québec), Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa, with staff currently working primarily remotely. We welcome applications from those legally eligible to work in Canada and able to accommodate a flexible work schedule to meet the needs of working across time zones. This role is primary office based during business hours with some evenings and overtime potential. Domestic travel will also be required. 

ABOUT YOU

As a bilingual (preferred) relationship builder with exceptional project management and facilitation skills, you are comfortable establishing and building connections in the digital space. Your skills and experience in managing logistics, coordinating people, and appreciation for administrative processes are matched by your desire to make social change. You have spent time in project management, partnership management, or program coordination positions and are comfortable with programs such as G-Suite (Google Apps), Wordpress, MailChimp, and social media platforms.

You have knowledge of, and more importantly, a desire to keep learning about community economic development, social economy, social innovation, and social finance as well as an understanding of current actors and organizations involved. You want to work for an organization that aligns with your personal values and commitment to gender equity, poverty reduction, reconciliation, anti-racism / anti-oppression, diversity, and inclusion. 

You are a convenor, connector, and facilitator. The thought of being the backbone of a team and a project that connects with leaders in the social innovation and social finance field as they build a stronger ecosystem of support for social purpose organizations is motivating, exciting, and exactly how you want to be spending your time. 

PROJECT OVERVIEW

By the end of your first 2 months:

• You will have familiarized yourself with CCEDNet, the IRP, and our project scope.
• You will be coordinating the IRP Partnership Team meetings and establishing strong relationships with those partners, you'll also be starting to create relationships with the wider partnership
• You will be planning towards the first IRP all-partner meeting and supporting evaluation and mapping project set-up
• You'll have established a strong working relationship with the Engagement Manager, IRP

By March 31, 2023:

• You will have continuously coordinated the IRP Partnership Team, helping them to align their various projects
• You will have provided multiple opportunities for connection, evaluation, and learning for the IRP partners
• You will have deepened your understanding of social innovation, social finance, and practices for diversity, inclusion, equity, and access.
• You will have delivered at least 3 well-coordinated and facilitated meetings for all IRP partners
• You'll have contributed to a program evaluation, the ecosystem mapping project, and many peer-learning and connection activities
• You'll have strengthened your professional network with deepening relationships in CCEDNet's team and the IRP partners

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Please send your resume and cover letter to hr-rh (at) ccednet-rcdec.ca by the end of day August 21, 2022, with “Partnership Manager, IRP” in the subject line. 

In your cover letter, please answer the following questions: 

• What knowledge and experience are you excited to bring to this role?
• What are your skills and strengths you will apply to this position? 
• What are you most curious to learn in this position? 

CCEDNet provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with stated needs. If contacted to proceed to the selection process, please advise us if you require any accommodation.

We appreciate all applications. After a notice that the application has been received, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a term position until at least March 31, 2023.  Extension of the funding is under consideration. This is a full-time position (37.5 hours / week) starting as soon as possible. We support our employees by offering salaries that reflect regional variances in cost of living. For this position, the starting salary range is $50,472 - $55,415 if you are located in Victoriaville (where our head office is located) or $58,917 to $64,687 if you are in Toronto, with other regions in between. We are happy to discuss the starting salary range for your region during the interview process.

• A competitive benefit package and health plan paid by CCEDNet
• RRSP contributions
• Paid time off including up to 3 weeks of vacation (annually, prorated), an office closure from December 25 - January 1, sick time, and personal obligation days
• Professional development opportunities
• A flexible and supportive work environment

WHY JOIN THE CCEDNET TEAM

We are a team of Convenors, Connectors, Facilitator, Advocates and Partners dedicated to community empowerment and economic justice. We challenge the status quo and build alternatives using intersection, intersectoral, and collaborative approaches. Our depth and breadth of experience, knowledge, and commitment to learning can be seen in the impact we have and the results we achieve. We care about our work and we care about each other.