About Us:

It is an exciting time at Canadian Parents for French as we continue to drive forward our mission to further bilingualism by promoting opportunities to learn and use French for all those who call Canada home. We are actively recruiting for the new full-time hybrid position of Network Director, Advocacy and Public Policy. This role will bring a strategic shift in advancing the interests, influence, and reputation of the CPF Network in governmental and political arenas.

About You:

Are you a talented experienced public policy professional with a background in strategic communications focused on political action? Do you follow politics the way others follow sports? Do you revel in explaining the legislative regulations within the Official Languages Act? Do you have a solid track record in organizing advocacy campaigns? Are you a strategic thinker and exceptional at building relationships? If this sounds like you, then let's talk!

About the Role:

Reporting to the CPF Network CEO and working in close collaboration with CPF Branch and Office staff, you will support the CPF Network to proactively contribute to the development of public policies that meet the needs and aspirations of French second language learners, to increase equitable access to opportunities and programs, ensuring their active and full participation in a bilingual Canada.

Key Responsibilities:

• Liaise with federal government departments and contribute to the development of policies and programs to support a strategic approach to strengthening linguistic duality and equitable access to FSL learning programs and opportunities across Canada.
• Lead the CPF Network, Branches and Offices by delivering expert strategic advice on government processes and policy and by organizing regular mentoring meetings on the development of cohesive strategies and interventions with a view to influencing public policies to attain positive impacts in the different jurisdictions.
• Support the publication of information and research briefs and analyze intergovernmental agreements having an impact on access to French language learning and programs in Canada.
• Develop tools including briefs and position papers and offer trainings to strengthen the capacities and skills of CPF staff and volunteer advocates in political canvassing and influencing federal and provincial/territorial stakeholders and local educational authorities.

Government Relations, Liaison with Federal Institutions

• Ensure liaison with and raise awareness among federal institutions of their obligations in terms of consultation, adoption and implementation of positive measures arising from the new Official Languages Act.
• Monitor new policies and programs in development within federal institutions, with a view to proposing measures that incorporate positive measures with a linguistic duality lens and respond to the specificities of inclusion of French second language learners within the francophone spaces.
• Participate in external national partner and research committees, acting as a key resource for meetings, policy position development and knowledge exchange opportunities.
• Co-plan periodic meetings and dialogue sessions between federal institutions, provincial educational authorities and key FSL community organizations.
• Lead the strategic planning and content development of the annual FSL advocacy awareness event, CPF on the Hill Day, and subsequent stakeholder meetings, coordinating with Communications, Programs, Partnerships and Events staff on logistics.

Analysis and Monitoring of Intergovernmental Agreements

• Identify and analyze the main intergovernmental agreements, evaluate the measures or terms of these agreements that have a positive or negative impact on equitable access and quality of French second language education in Canada for all Canadians.
• Propose avenues and strategies for better inclusion of linguistic clauses in federal-provincial/territorial agreements and the resulting action plans that increase equitable access to French second language learning opportunities across Canada.
• Develop a guide to best practices in linguistic clauses promoting the benefits of increased access to quality French learning programs and opportunities contributing to a stronger, bilingual Canada, and promote it throughout the CPF Network and with key federal and provincial/territorial ministries.

Advocacy Support for the positioning of the CPF Network, Branches and Offices

• Work in close collaboration with CPF Branch and Office staff and volunteer advocates to develop awareness-raising actions for the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, including advocacy strategies such as for national campaigns.
• Write and revise documents and positioning tools in support of these actions - revision of briefs, writing of briefing notes and political arguments, writing of letter templates, PowerPoint presentations, etc.
• Promote the participation of CPF Network, Branches and Offices in the main federal and provincial/territorial public consultations having an impact on Canada's official languages, linguistic duality, and the Francophonie.
• Support awareness raising and ongoing training for CPF volunteers and interested members in relation to the files under its responsibility.

What you bring:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in political science, public affairs or administration, or certification in government relations or in a field related to the purposes of the position.
• A minimum of 3 years of work experience in the field of public policy development and analysis; stakeholder relations, strategic communications focused on political action, ideally in a national association setting.
• Excellent knowledge of the functioning of Canadian public institutions and intergovernmental agreements.
• Knowledge of the historical and legislative context of Canada's movement towards bilingualism; the provision of French second language education programs; the Canadian Francophonie and its networks.

Your strengths include:

• Fluency in both official languages – written and spoken – is preferred. Candidates who may not be fluently bilingual but express their commitment to increasing their capacity will be considered.
• Ability to mobilize statistical data and research to develop convincing public policy arguments; demonstrate autonomy and a sense of resourcefulness necessary to obtain information and results.
• Strong communication skills, proven research and writing capabilities, demonstrated strength in policy analysis and synthesis; good ability to write and revise documents adapting their accessibility to generalist audiences.
• Client focus, including demonstrated skills in mentoring and providing training, team building.
• Strong sense of interpersonal relationships; result-oriented with great ability to respond to customer needs; facilitation and meeting management skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and critical thinking; versatility and ability to handle numerous files simultaneously.

What's in it for You?

• Meaningful work with national colleagues, partners, and engaged staff.
• Your daily work will have a direct impact on shaping the FSL opportunities for children in Canada.
• Salaried position is commensurate with experience and qualifications: $75,000- $95,000.
• Excellent Benefit Plan including health, dental, RRSP, life insurance and disability.
• Hybrid Work Model – One day a week in the office with the location in either Ottawa or Mississauga, Ontario.

Additional Criteria:

• Candidates must legally be entitled to work in Canada.
• Able to work some evenings and weekends as required. The position will require occasional travel.
• Supports promoting learning of both official languages and a bilingual Canada.

How to Apply:

Send a cover letter explaining why you would be a great addition to our leadership team along with your CV and salary expectations, to Deb Powers, Network HR Manager at [email protected]. Please indicate “Network Director, Advocacy and Public Policy” in the subject line.Closing Date for Applications: 4:00 p.m. EDT, Monday, May 27th.Interviews will be scheduled shortly thereafter.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. If you require accommodation, please make your request known when contacted. CPF fosters an inclusive work environment. We welcome and prioritize applications from Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA2+. We can accommodate during all phases of the selection process. We invite applicants to self-identify if they are part of a priority group.