Sustain Ontario Seeks a New Director
Posted: November 15, 2010
Categories: News from Sustain Ontario
In January, Lauren Baker, is stepping down as Director of Sustain Ontario to take a position with Toronto Public Health coordinating the Toronto Food Policy Council. Sustain Ontario has secure funding for the next three years, and many exciting initiatives underway. Lauren will continue to be involved with Sustain Ontario in a new capacity.
This means that Sustain Ontario is seeking a new director!
Do you have a passion for farm and food issues affecting Ontario? Read more about this exciting opportunity below! Please spread the job posting through your networks.
Job Posting: Director, Sustain Ontario
Do you have a passion for farm and food issues affecting Ontario? Sustain Ontario, a project of Tides Canada Initiatives, promotes a collaborative approach to research, policy development and action by addressing the intersecting issues related to healthy food and local sustainable agriculture. We are looking for a new Director.
Sustain Ontario advocates for a food system that is healthy, ecological, equitable and financially viable. The Director of Sustain Ontario will work to strengthen Ontario’s farm and food networks, showcase food system innovations and champions, and press for farm and food policy reform.
The Ideal Candidate:
Has an entrepreneurial spirit. You will be responsible for reaching out across the province to seek new ideas and opportunities to support the Sustain Ontario network. The work will be challenging, complex and will require passion and energy.
Has proven their ability to build bridges, create partnerships, and achieve consensus among diverse groups, stakeholders and organizations. Sustain Ontario’s new Director will need to be skillful, persuasive and inclusive when reaching out to our wide array of members, cross-sectoral advisory and steering committees, policy makers and stakeholders in the province.
Feels passionately about local food issues in Ontario and their connection to the environment, economy and health of Canadians. You have a deep understanding of the issues facing the farm and food sector, and previous experience working within the networks and organizations that tackle food issues in Ontario.
Is not afraid to reach out and share the message. Strengthening communications between farm and food leaders is a core function of Sustain Ontario. You will be responsible for continuously seeking funds to facilitate the work of Sustain Ontario, and must feel passionate and comfortable about doing so.
Has a background and understanding of people and project management. You will be responsible for leading a small team of individuals and its essential you understand how to manage and motivate people. You are comfortable developing and overseeing multi-project work plans.
Qualifications:
- Experience working in the healthy, local, sustainable food sector using a food systems approach.
- Experience at a senior level working with an organization where you were responsible for project management and fundraising.
- Experience with policy development, coalition building and government relations.
- Ability to work productively with a diverse groups of stakeholders, support them to reach consensus and find common ground.
- An educational background that helps you understand the interrelationship between food, health, agriculture, equity, economy and sustainability.
- Knowledge of Ontario’s farm and food sector, issues and policies.
- Superior written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong understanding of running an organization or large group of projects, including managing other staff members, and reporting to funders.
Sustain Ontario, as a project of Tides Canada Initiatives, offers a competitive salary of 60-70k for this position. The position is complete with good benefits including flexible working hours. The ideal candidate is located in Southern Ontario, and will be required to travel frequently to Guelph and Toronto, and other regions across the province.
If you are interested please submit your resume and cover letter to:
director@sustainontario.com
Please note your cover letter (maximum 2 pages) MUST address the following questions:
What do you feel are the most important issues affecting farming and food in Ontario, and why?
What process would you use to take action on these issues?
This position closes on Monday, November 29th.
Sustain Ontario is an equal opportunity employer, and a project of Tides Canada Initiatives.