Join Our Team!

Staff Position: Director of Advocacy

Full-time | $73,800 yearly plus health benefits

Summary

Looking for a career at the frontier of animal protection? We need someone, equally dedicated to the animals, to join our team. Our team engages in electoral politics and legislative advocacy.

Who We Are: At Animal Alliance of Canada our long-term goal is a renewed relationship between humans and animals: one based on respect and empathy, not exploitation, dominance and violence.

Founded in 1990, Animal Alliance is a not-for-profit organization fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, political action, rescue and education. As a not-for-profit, we strive to raise the status of all animals and actively engage with elected representatives to encourage them to pass sound animal and environmental protection laws.

In 2005, Animal Alliance of Canada created the Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada (now the Animal Protection Party of Canada) – a federally registered political party and North America’s first political party focused exclusively on environmental and animal protection. We have the knowledge, experience and expertise to give progressive environmental and animal protection policies political relevance at the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government.

Opportunity: Animal Alliance and the Animal Protection Party is seeking a new team member who is equally dedicated to the animals. Reporting to the CEO, a Director of Advocacy’s purpose is to support our team, primarily for the leadership and direction of all advocacy efforts of Animal Alliance of Canada and the Animal Protection Party of Canada and assist in party leadership.

Position Type: Full-Time Permanent, 37.5 hours per week

Location: This role is remote from our main Toronto office, with a preference for the Ottawa area for effective government engagement.

Duties and responsibilities:

Advocacy:

1. Lead the development and implementation of annual and multi-year advocacy strategies, tactics, and budgets to achieve the bold public policy outcomes. Work collaboratively with the leadership team to develop integrated campaign plans that optimize synergies across research and education, communication, development, and advocacy channels. 
2. Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with politicians, staff, government officials, industry, and allied stakeholder organizations to raise the visibility and status of the organizations as key and influential voices. Develop and maintain a comprehensive stakeholder map to inform priority relationship development and management.
3. Draft and share briefings and correspondence for political audiences, and secure and attend meetings to convey APPC positions. Organize political briefings or other events that engage elected officials and other stakeholders and ensure correct messaging and brand presentation.
4. Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments at federal and provincial levels, as well as the activities of other stakeholder organizations, and provide timely internal updates to create meaningful, inspiring, authentic, newsworthy opportunities for education, brand awareness, advocacy, and fundraising. 
5. Review all advocacy materials and political communications for accuracy and alignment with policy and brand.
6. Prepare and present regular advocacy reports and analysis to the CEO. Assist in determination of budgetary and staffing needs to support organizational impact.
7. Perform other duties, as assigned.

Party leadership:

1. Effectively represent the organization as its secondary spokesperson by communicating its policies, principles, and platform inspirationally to members, Canadians, entities, and the media via interviews, press releases, press conferences, political debates, etc. 
2. Work with the leadership team to maintain and update the organization’s platform and raise its profile among voters via brand and fundraising communications.
3. Assist in recruiting, coaching, and supporting exceptional candidates and volunteers.
4. Maintain ties with global animal protection parties and like-minded political organizations.

Education and/or work experience requirements:

1. University degree in political science, public policy, or related field, required.
2. A minimum of seven (7) years of lobbying, political, or other campaign strategy development and execution, or other relevant work experience, required. 
3. Broad network of federal political contacts in Ottawa.

Necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Candidates should possess a strong commitment to the organizations’ mission and values, as well as:

1. Strong relationship builder who can work collaboratively at all levels across the organization, including the Board of Directors and external collaborations.
2. Ability to communicate effectively, passionately, and with integrity to a wide variety of internal and external audiences. Proficiency in English and French (spoken and written) is strongly preferred.
3. In-depth knowledge of Canadian political processes, legislative procedures, legal and regulatory frameworks.
4. Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with government officials and other stakeholders.
5. Superior analytical and strategic thinking skills to craft effective policy proposals and lobbying strategies. 
6. Proficient in Microsoft 365 and able to absorb other software.
7. Flexibility and adaptability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, including ability and willingness to travel, and being “on call” after hours and on weekends and holidays, if required. 
8. Ethical and transparent conduct in all activities.

Working conditions: The organizations are committed to employment equity and diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Why Join Our Team?

• Be part of an innovative team environment with others who share your passion for animal protection
• Competitive compensation package, including medical and dental benefits and paid sick time
• Flexible work opportunities. Generous vacation and personal days allowance.

How to Apply for this Job?

Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@animalalliance.ca. Please apply by October 31st by 5pm.

Please answer the following questions in your cover letter:

• Question #1 – Are you willing to undergo a background check?
• Question #2 – Can you work overtime if necessary?
• Question #3 – How would you describe yourself as an animal advocate? Please share any experiences as an activist or advocate, if applicable.
• Question #4 – Have you ever been a member of any environmental, social, cultural, community or other organizations?

We look forward to considering your application. In the event that your qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position, you will be contacted for an interview. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Thank you.