Director, Systems Change Jobs

Maytree takes a human rights-based approach to addressing the systems that create poverty with the ultimate goal of having social and economic rights safeguarded for all people living in Canada.

Maytree’s work seeks to understand the causes and dimensions of poverty and to identify practical solutions using a human rights-based approach. Our focus on changing systems brings together public policy, data and measurement, accountability, participation, and systemic intersections to develop solutions that advance human rights.

The Director of Systems Change is a new role at Maytree that will provide strategic direction to our policy, research, and human rights practice areas.

Reporting to Maytree’s President, the successful candidate will lead a team with expertise and experience in policy, research, and human rights to build strategies that will advance systemic change in housing, income security, and other domains of social and economic rights. They will bring highly developed skills in strategic communications, government and public relations, and community and stakeholder engagement to build collaborative approaches and practical solutions to realize social and economic rights in Canada.

The ideal candidate for this role is passionate about human rights, experienced in leveraging evidence-based social policy for meaningful change, and will understand how to use a variety of tools to help make that change happen.

Applications

Qualified applicants are asked to submit their resume and cover letter together in one file (either Word or PDF) to [email protected] by Tuesday, September 5^th, 2023.

Please use “Director, Systems Change —your name” in the subject field of your email. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Maytree is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free, selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to an employment opportunity, please advise Maytree of any accommodations measures, if required, which would enable you to be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received in relation to accommodation requests will be addressed confidentially.

Responsibilities

• Leading the human rights-based systems change team and approach at Maytree, and building a coherent strategy across its work on policy, data and measurement, accountability, participation, and the intersection of systems.

• Identifying opportunities for leveraging Maytree’s work to advance social and economic rights.

• Developing and maintaining a network of strong working relationships with a range of public servants, political actors, researchers, and civil society and community leaders to advance the advocacy strategy of Maytree’s work.

• Representing Maytree at external tables, engaging policymakers, community leaders, and researchers, and finding opportunities for collaboration.

• Overseeing the development of submissions to government policy, regulatory, and budget consultations, in collaboration with key team members and external partners.

• Coordinating and collaborating with Maytree’s directors of communication and community investment and engagement on overall organizational goals and strategies.

Qualifications

• A graduate level degree in a related field (e.g., public policy, economics, political science, public health) or equivalent professional experience.

• Advanced policy research and analysis skills, able to provide strategic oversight to a policy and research agenda focused on income security (e.g., social assistance, income-tested tax benefits and credits) and/or housing policy (e.g., housing benefits, rent-geared-to-income, tenant protections, development of affordable housing supply).

• Demonstrated project management skills and capacity to drive action and results.

• Knowledge of social and economic rights frameworks and experience applying a human rights lens to social systems that create poverty.

• Deep understanding of government decision-making processes, and opportunities to influence change.

• Strong political instincts and relevant professional experience in policy, public affairs, and government and stakeholder relations.

• Expert communication skills and ability to develop effective communications strategies to advance systems change goals and amplify solutions.

• Leadership skills that leverage the expertise and knowledge of team members and strengthen the overall goals of the organization.

• Demonstrated values and commitment to realizing human rights, and advancing equity and inclusion.