DEPUTY DIRECTOR, POLICY & RESEARCH (Domestic)

UNICEF Canada’s Mission

To mobilize and empower Canadians to invest in the positive transformation of every child’s future.

Do you want to use your policy expertise and knowledge to influence Canadian public policy and support governments in advancing the rights and well-being of Canada’s children and youth?

Consider joining UNICEF Canada – one of Canada’s most respected & 
historic charities – and be part of a high-impact, mission-driven team working across Canada and globally to create a better world for children.

UNICEF Canada is seeking to recruit a talented & experienced colleague in 
the role of Deputy Director, Policy & Research (Domestic).

Position Details

Position Description

The Deputy Director will design and deliver advocacy strategies and create opportunities to influence legislation, policies, investments and knowledge of children’s universal human rights across all orders of government and across the child & youth serving sector in Canada.

The Deputy Director will maintain expert knowledge of child policy and data in Canada and within the global UNICEF organization. They will develop high-quality policy analysis and policy influence products, inform and support effective internal and external communications using proper protocols, establish and manage civil society stakeholder relationships of influence, and advance advocacy priorities through government relations, youth participation and public engagement.

Key Accountabilities

Policy Research & Analysis (30%)

• Develop, manage and maintain effective & relevant advocacy strategies for policy change priorities.
• Develop and maintain excellent knowledge of UNICEF’s policies and programs (including national and international contexts related to children’s rights) with a focus on Canadian policies & priorities.
• Apply expert policy analysis to advocacy priorities and interventions to secure children’s rights; developing legislative and issue briefs; briefing papers; official correspondence; presentations; and advocacy content for youth programs, campaigns and communications drawing on your knowledge of Canadian child and youth policy, Canada’s children’s rights obligations and appropriate protocols.
• Manage research and knowledge to ensure the most relevant and current evidence informs policy plans and products.
• Identify and respond with strategic consideration to opportunities to influence public policy affecting children’s rights and well-being, monitoring the policy environment, parliamentary activities and your stakeholder network.
• Monitor current developments in research, advocacy and public discourse on children’s rights issues in Canada and UNICEF’s global and international policies and programs.
• Convene and collaborate with colleagues in international policy within UNICEF Canada and with UNICEF at the global level to coordinate policy positions; influence opportunities and knowledge; and identify, manage and engage government advisors and decision-makers.

Stakeholder Engagement (25%)

• Identify, manage and maintain strategic, influential relationships with civil society leaders and allies in the child and youth sector and others of influence relevant to policy objectives.
• Effectively communicate with stakeholders in civil society organizations/networks and academic/research institutions, to inform, influence and facilitate collaboration in various initiatives.
• Reach new communities and pursue partnerships to help create more innovative content, tap into new audiences, plant child policy priorities in other policy conversations and gain deeper insights.
• Organize events and initiatives and participate in or present on policy work/advocacy in diverse settings as well as internal audiences.
• Guide, manage and contribute to advocacy-related stakeholder and media communication, and act as a media spokesperson on selected issues.

Government Relations (20%)

• Oversee the design and development of strategies for government relations to influence decision-makers and advance policy priorities.
• Represent UNICEF Canada at meetings with key departmental and parliamentary policy staff.
• Collaborate with colleagues in international policy within UNICEF Canada to coordinate advocacy opportunities and strategies.
• Brief and support the Executive Leadership Team in their government relations/advocacy roles.
• Diligently execute requirements of the federal lobbying registry and lobbying rules.

Child & Youth Engagement (15%)

• Create child and youth participation opportunities with government and civil society that enable them to participate meaningfully in advocacy and decision-making and advance children’s rights, in collaboration with UNICEF Canada’s Youth Participation team.
• Provide expertise to the Youth Advocacy team to support learning about policy advocacy & government.
• Manage & support youth, government and civil society engagement at the Youth Advocacy Summit.
• Support youth advocates with policy related information and preparation as opportune.
• Contribute to child and youth safeguarding in all instances.

Organizational Development & People Leadership (10%)

• Lead and support the Policy Specialist, Government Relations.
• Guide and advise on the development and implementation of best-in-class, evidence-driven government relations, youth participation and communications strategies to advance policy priorities.
• Contribute to organizational planning, budgeting and impact reporting.
• Participate in agile planning, team meetings and other initiatives.
• Ensure integrity with the organizational mission and values in all activities.
• Work to ensure anti-colonial and anti-racist approaches are integrated into domestic programs.
• Develop and manage advocacy materials including translation and production services.
• Manage the work of occasional interns and student placements.
• Maintain an effective system to organize information and documentation.
• Inform the creation of advocacy tools and capacities.
• Maintain accurate financial and activity records to ensure project/program accountability.
• Contribute to an effective, motivated team dynamic to achieve common goals with clearly defined accountabilities.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Public Policy, Political Science or a related field is an asset (or equivalent years’ work experience)
• Minimum seven to nine years of relevant work experience in parliamentary affairs, government relations, policy development and/or advocacy.
• Good understanding of issues affecting children and youth in Canada.
• Competency in working toward reconciliation, diversity, inclusion and equity.
• Knowledge of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the international human rights system is an asset.
• Exceptional skills in building productive working relationships with colleagues and other partners.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with superb attention to detail and quality while meeting deadlines and multitasking in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills through diverse media.
• Critical thinking, creative problem-solving and ability to take initiative.
• Comfortable with standard office software and social media platforms.
• Fluency in French (highly desirable)
• Available for local, regional and national travel, with occasional evening and weekend work

An Employer of Choice: What We Offer

UNICEF Canada is where diverse talent & passion come together to create extraordinary impact for every child. We are committed to being an employer of choice and building a culture that is inclusive, ambitious, compassionate, and high impact.

Members of the UNICEF Canada team have access to the following employee benefits:

• Extended Health/Dental benefits & Healthcare Spending Account
• Life, AD&D, & Long-Term disability insurance coverage
• Employer contributions (5%) to a Group Pension Plan
• Access to parental leave top-up
• Flexible-hybrid work environment to support the work-life integration needs of our team
• Minimum 3 weeks of annual vacation (increases with time served) & 1 additional day per year of service (max 30)
• 10 paid sick days & 2 personal days
• 9 to 11 employee wellness days – an additional series of pre-set days off, given annually to further extend long weekends
• Discounted rate for a GoodLife gym membership
• Access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Access to a comprehensive global learning platform with over 1600 courses, webinars & resources
• Internal leadership development, training, & mentorship programs that integrate Anti-Racism and diversity, equity and inclusion principles
• Opportunities to access both local & global stretch assignments
• Centrally located in mid-town Toronto with satellite offices in Calgary & Montreal
• Easily accessed by public transit and a short walk from several parking locations
• Inclusive & accessible co-working and meeting spaces designed to foster purpose at every turn and accommodate the diverse needs of employees
• Under the leadership of a dynamic, accomplished, and experienced executive leadership team, you’ll be part of a diverse & talented Canada team committed to creating meaningful impact while fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.
• You’ll join a global UNICEF family with a shared commitment to impact the lives of children

Our Commitment to Inclusive Workplaces & Recruitment

UNICEF Canada is an inclusive workplace and is committed to championing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. 

Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter as one document to careers@unicef.ca by Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Please include your salary expectations in your cover email and reference Deputy Director, Policy and Research (Domestic) in the subject heading.

UNICEF Canada thanks all applicants for their interest in this opportunity, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Consistent with our Child Safeguarding Policy, all successful candidates must receive clearance by a police background check (including a vulnerable sector screen).

About UNICEF & UNICEF Canada

UNICEF is the world’s farthest-reaching humanitarian organization for children. Across 190 countries and territories, and in the world’s toughest places, we work to help children survive, defend their rights, keep them protected, healthy and educated, and give them a fair chance to fulfill their potential.

UNICEF Canada is one of 33 National Committees located in countries around the world. Our team exists to fundraise for UNICEF’s highest priorities, and to work neutrally with governments and the private sector in Canada and internationally to advance the rights and well-being of children and youth.