Looking for a way to support the amazing parents in the For Our Kids network?

We’re looking for a Network Coordinator to join our national support team. 

For Our Kids is a growing network of parents, grandparents and guardians advocating for a green, equitable, and just world where our children and grandchildren grow up safe and healthy.  We are organized in local teams taking action across unceded Indigenous territories known as Canada. 

Since August 2019, network members have come together to grow their awareness, confidence, and skills to impact change at the local, regional, and national levels. Parents participate in a range of actions including art installations, meetings with elected representatives, submitting policy briefs, info sessions, participating in community events, and many more. We bring parent voices to municipal and school climate action planning, federal net-zero emissions policy development, and global COP conferences, while being involved on the ground in issues that are prioritized by the communities in which our members live. 

For Our Kids practices a grassroots organizing model whereby our parents and guardians are the heroes in the story, choosing what to work on and stepping up into leadership. Our paid staff are at the service of others, facilitating conversations, providing training and guidance, and helping parents succeed. We see ourselves as building a powerful community.

About the role

We are seeking a bit of a unicorn. We seek a leader who steps back so that others can lead. In contrast to a traditional Executive Director, we are seeking a Coordinator who practices what some call “servant leadership,” who sees their role as lifting others up, and who seeks the limelight only for others.

The Network Coordinator will anchor the overall strategy of the network, listening deeply to the desires of the parents, the feedback of the staff team who work closely with them, and to current events to help shape common work and activities. The Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring overall impact - to make sure that the network is making a real difference.

The Coordinator will lead day-to-day administration of the network, help manage the multiple projects being undertaken, and collaboratively lead operations and fundraising hand-in-hand with our small and mighty national support team. In addition, the Coordinator will help bring to life a new governance model that reflects the unique grassroots-led nature of the For Our Kids network, working with the current Board of Directors and other committed parent leaders to implement a new approach to making key network decisions.

Appreciating that the experience and skillset that suit this position may come from a variety of backgrounds, we invite you to apply for this role if you can demonstrate the following:

You are very good at:

  • deep listening and consensus building
  • managing multiple projects effectively
  • collaboratively leading a team of experienced consultants working remotely and with flexible schedules
  • managing a variety of daily network operations including financial planning and monitoring, personnel and resource management
  • thinking strategically and practically
  • being adaptable
  • planning and facilitating meetings
  • problem-solving
  • building relationships
  • communicating in many ways across different audiences

You have experience with:

  • working independently and remotely coordinating an online team
  • project management
  • database management
  • Zoom, Slack, and collaborative documentation
  • financial planning and operations
  • operational planning
  • supporting a board of Directors 
  • facilitation and strategic planning

You are passionate about: 

  • contributing to For Our Kids’ vision and grassroots organizing model 
  • running an effective organization and building capacity and credibility
  • grassroots-led organizing, growing the capacity of local teams, and centring parent voices
  • diversity, equity and inclusion, and bringing those to life within the For Our Kids network
  • the world future generations will live in

You will need strong interpersonal skills to work in a highly collaborative environment, and while scheduling will be relatively flexible, you will be called upon to be available outside regular working hours to accommodate the national scope of the support team and the volunteer parents who often give their time outside of 9-5. You’ll also need access to reliable internet service and the resources to work effectively from home or a remote office. Some travel will be required as we open up from COVID-19.

Experience working in the non-profit sector; environmental, climate justice or social justice background would be considered assets. Strong skills in English are important; equally strong skills in French would be nice to have; proficiency in other languages would be valued and appreciated.

Structure and Salary

The Network Coordinator reports to the Chair of the Board of Directors and oversees 5 part-time contractors. The Network Coordinator will meet with the Board Chair once a month and the full Board twice a year pending changes to our governance structure. They will develop their own schedule for regularly meeting the contractors both one-on-one and as a team.

This role is envisioned as 30 hours/week paid at a rate of $65,000 annually. It is a one-year contract position with the intention of renewal.

Interested?

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an inspiring and growing organization and to further develop a wide range of skills. We encourage applications from members of equity-seeking groups and are committed to a recruitment process and working environment free from discrimination, in which each person is respected and can participate safely and confidently. 

Please forward your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in this position to [email protected] by January 27. We cannot promise to follow up with all applicants; however, we value each application and will contact those with whom we would like to further discuss this opportunity.