Development & Communications Assistant
Full-time, 18-month Contract

The North Grove is committed to building an equitable and diverse team that is reflective, at all levels, of the community we serve. We welcome all applications; however, we strongly encourage applications from Mi'kmaq, African Nova Scotian, Black, Indigenous/First Nation, racialized, newcomer, 2SLGBTQIA+ candidates, and candidates with disabilities. All candidates from equity-deserving groups are encouraged to self-identify in their application.

About The North Grove:

The North Grove (www.thenorthgrove.ca) is a dynamic community hub, situated in the diverse community of Dartmouth North. We offer services, programs, and space for people to learn and connect through family support, food, and friendship. We also partner with more than 25 organizations to help improve health, reduce social isolation and strengthen connections in this community.

The North Grove team is made up of 30 staff. We work with a dedicated Board of Directors, more than 170 community volunteers and a network of supporters that includes funding partners, corporate and individual donors. Collaboration, creativity, and community-centered decision making are important to us.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are central to our work and as a team we have committed to a DEIB framework that includes ongoing learning opportunities, policy development, and partnership work.

Learn more about our DEIB commitment here: https://www.thenorthgrove.ca/deib

Our approach is rooted in strengths-based practice. This practice sees all members of our community as having resourceful and resilient qualities and strives to support individual self-determination. We seek applicants who share our commitment to working within this model.

The Opportunity:

We are looking for a full-time Development & Communications Assistant to join our team for an 18-month period.

The Development & Communications Assistant is an entry level position that supports every aspect of the development and communications team, from social media and website updates to tracking donations, grant and event deadlines.

You'll play a key role in keeping this team on track and we hope to play a key role in helping you learn and grow as well. We promise to make your time at The North Grove rewarding and fun!

Our ideal candidate is proud of their organizational skills and loves being part of a team. They pay attention to all the right things - no detail gets ignored, especially if it conveys care and attention. You keep track of, and help us keep in touch with, our key audiences including staff, Board, partners, and funders.

You are eager to help maintain our donor database, recognizing what an important resource it is and the opportunities it provides to recognize, celebrate and grow The North Grove's wonderful community of supporters. You love finding new and meaningful ways to share our deep gratitude with all our supporters and enjoy the ins and outs and ups and downs of event planning. You are happy to pick up the phone if it means building a better relationship with a supplier or partner.

The successful candidate will be curious and nimble with the ability to meet deadlines and manage emerging issues as they arise. You know our time is precious so you will invest in processes and systems that make it possible to increase our impact and deepen our relationships. You will be thoughtful, conscientious and open to a wide variety of experiences and points of view. Above all, you want your work to make a difference in the world.

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours/week), Monday to Friday, with occasional evenings/weekends.

Reporting Structure: The Development & Communications Assistant will report to the Development & Communications Director and work closely with the Partnership & Events Lead and Communications Specialist.

Key Responsibilities:

Database Management
The North Grove's donor database is our department's most prized possession because it holds every detail about this community's amazing generosity. You will:

• Follow and improve all the processes we've established to track donations to The North Grove and other records.
• Ensure every gift is appropriately recorded, thanked and receipted.
• Keep the team on track by watching deadlines for grants, reporting and more.
• Support grant reporting and applications in collaboration with the Partnership & Events Lead.

Donor Relations
'Thank you' and 'Welcome' are our favourite words! You will:

• Lead the many ways we thank The North Grove's diverse community of supporters.
• Keep meticulous records of our ongoing connections with the individuals, businesses, foundations and other supporters of The North Grove community.

Events, Communications & Administration
Contributing to, and communicating about, meaningful moments that build connections are at the heart of all our programs and events. You will:

• Support events like our Farm Season Opener, Annual Report to Community, Giving Tuesday Coffee House, and more.
• Support the work of The North Grove's Communications Specialist by drafting social media copy, blog posts and completing website updates.
• Support the Director, Development and Communications with administrative tasks

North Grove Community Member

• Participate in broader activities that support the organization: tours, videos, fundraising opportunities, posting program information, special events, internal committees, etc.
• Support our growing focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

What You Will Bring:
The North Grove is seeking to build a diverse team and values lived experience and non-traditional ways of learning. If you don't meet all the criteria below but you are excited about the job description and believe you bring unique experience and perspective, please apply!

• High degree of skill and comfort with technology, including interest/experience with databases.
• Experience working in an environment that demands a high level of detail and excellent organizational skills.
• Interest and/or experience in working with diverse communities using a strengths-based approach, particularly with people who face systemic barriers

We encourage you to check out our social media platforms and website for more about who we are and the kind of communications we share.

What We Offer:

Staff wellbeing is prioritized, and we provide training opportunities, employer-paid medical/dental benefits from day one, 4% employer-paid RRSP contribution after probation, 4 weeks of paid vacation, all statutory holidays, paid sick time and 4 personal days. A computer is provided as well as a telephone stipend. This position is based in Dartmouth, however there is the opportunity to do some work from home.

Salary Range: $46,350 - 51,500 annually*

The Selection Process - What to Expect:

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short initial phone screening call to go over the basics of the position, get a high-level understanding of your experience and answer any questions you may have.

Following the phone screening calls, a handful of candidates will be invited to an in-person interview at The North Grove, followed by a second round if required. Candidates are encouraged to submit any accommodation requests to the email below.

Everyone who applies for this position will receive an email update from The North Grove within one month of the application deadline.

How to Apply:

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume in one document by email to Naomi Samela, Operations Manager, at [email protected] under the subject line: Application for Development and Communications Assistant by Monday, October 6th.