Lead, Government Engagement (Maternity Cover)

Position:

Lead, Government Engagement (Maternity Cover)

Reports to:

Head of Advocacy & Government Engagement

Position Term:

Full Time Temporary (14-month Contract)

Primary Location:

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Workplace Type:

Hybrid

Job Purpose

World Vision Canada’s (WVC) primary objective for engaging with the Government of Canada is to promote the rights and well-being of the most marginalized girls and boys around the world. This is expressed through our resource acquisition, policy influence and positioning efforts.

Within this objective, the purpose of the Lead, Government Engagement is to provide overall leadership to ensure WVC’s continued reputation with the Government of Canada as a go-to programming partner. The Lead is a subject matter expert in government relations and strategic partnering, Canada’s international development priorities, and the ways in which Global Affairs Canada operates and interacts with partner organizations both at headquarters and abroad.

The Lead works with and supports multiple World Vision teams – both in Canada and in our offices abroad - who engage with Global Affairs Canada to ensure that our government engagement is professional, timely, and consistent in its approach and messaging. The Lead is also responsible for identifying and leading business development opportunities with the Government of Canada.

Gender equality is a priority focus of WVC. As such, all duties and responsibilities will be undertaken through a gender equality lens.

This position works in close collaboration with the Lead, Policy and Government Relations (who focuses on political engagement with federal Members of Parliament, Senators, Prime Minister’s office and government Ministers), and with the Head of Global Partnerships and Business Development (to deliver on the objectives set out in WVC’s business development strategy.)

Responsibilities

Proactively drive effective and strategic Canadian government engagement and positioning to continuously improve World Vision’s reputation as a go-to programming partner and thought leader.

• Drive a relationship mapping and prioritization strategy with key government stakeholders, from desk level to senior management, including at local missions (embassies, high commissions) abroad.
• Lead in driving top-level thematic focus and positioning priorities with the Government of Canada (in keeping with WVC’s Programs & Policy’s value streams) and build synergies across relevant WVC teams (Program Excellence & Impact Delivery, Program Innovation, Strategic Communications, President’s office)
• Lead identification of opportunities for high-level events, reports and collaborations that will enhance positioning and resource acquisition.
• Provide guidance, tools, and strategic insights for World Vision staff engaging with Global Affairs Canada officials at headquarters and abroad.
• Identify and provide close support to priority field offices’ engagement with local Global Affairs Canada officials.
• Develop effective personal relationships with relevant GAC staff, leading or participating in meetings and engagements as required.
• Support WVC senior leader relationship building with senior Global Affairs Canada stakeholders.
• Support any engagements related to Ministers, MPs, or officials travel to World Vision field offices.
• Track, disseminate, and provide strategic advice on engagements with Canadian government officials.
• Lead the creation of briefing notes and other government engagement supports as required.

Drive business development with the Government of Canada

• Lead in the development, roll-out, and monitoring of a business development strategy for the Government of Canada.
• Actively monitor and solicit intel on Canada’s international assistance priorities and investments, and opportunities to strengthen World Vision’s positioning and resource acquisition.
• Identify gaps and opportunities with World Vision’s programming portfolio with the Government of Canada.
• Lead in identifying and creating business development opportunities – including unsolicited proposals.
• Participate in and provide strategic guidance for Government of Canada funding submissions.
• Identify and drive resource diversification opportunities with the Government of Canada, including through innovative approaches to funding.
• Provide analysis and forecasts of the Government of Canada investments in international development and humanitarian assistance.
• Proactively develop, maintain and support relationships with internal WVC stakeholders and with relevant external stakeholders, and actively participate in team activities.

Qualifications

• University degree (Masters degree preferred) in international development, political science, public relations, or related field; and/or,
• 3 or more years of government relations experience in Canadian federal political context or public service.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience with international development contexts.
• Excellent understanding of international and Canadian development and foreign policy, and how they impact the well-being of children in developing country contexts.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing strategies for positioning an INGO with the Canadian government.
• Experience in business development and grant acquisition.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality in the context of policy change/government relations.

Preferred:

• Experience working within, or as a partner of, Global Affairs Canada
• Experience working in an INGO and navigating dynamics and building relationships across country offices.
• Bilingual French/English

Critical Skills:

• Demonstrated success in identifying and championing emerging issues with government partners.
• Ability to think strategically and synthesize complex information.
• Excellent and winsome communication and public presentation skills, both oral and written, for internal and external audiences
• Ability to effectively brief and support senior executives.
• Demonstrable project management and reporting skills, to ensure that time sensitive projects are strategically executed and completed by articulated deadlines.

Working Conditions:

• Some attendance at evening / weekend events may be required.
• Ideally, not be restricted from lobbying the federal government.

Application Instructions:

Please submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter (no more than 1 page), which describes how you fit the specific purpose and qualifications/critical skills of the position and answers to the following: You’re going on vacation. Where is the 12-hour flight going? What did you pack? Who’s sitting next to you and what are you talking about? What snacks did you bring? What are you reading or listening to?

Why Consider Us?

• World Vision Canada has consistently been awarded Canada and GTA top employer awards.
• We are Canada’s largest development, relief, and advocacy non-profit organization.
• We embody an Agile mindset here.
• We offer a family-friendly, caring, and flexible work environment.

#LI-Hybrid

Job Family

Advocacy

Job Function

Manager/Supervisor

Pay Type

Salary

Employment Indicator

Remote with Travel/External Engagement