Governance, Policy and Networks Officer

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of municipal governments, representing the interests of cities and communities with the federal government.

Position: Governance, Policy & Networks Officer

Department: FCM International

Classification: Level 4

Salary Band: $56,900 - $64,500 - $72,100

Language: Fluently bilingual - Essential

Duration: 1-Year Maternity Leave Replacement

Major Purpose:

The Governance, Policy and Networks Officer actively engages SCIR & board members, FCMI programs, the global and domestic strategic network, international partners and other FCM departments where appropriate in networks development, policy development, aid effectiveness and the furthering of FCMI programming objectives. The Governance

Policy and Networks Officer facilitates the relationship between FCM’s board & SCIR and program areas, the global and domestic strategic network, and is the primary information resource and coordination point on policy and network development.

Key Responsibilities:

Coordination of SCIR (20%):

• Provides secretariat duties for the Standing Committee on International Relations (SCIR) and support to the SCIR chair including agenda preparation, document coordination, slide deck preparation, minute taking, drafts board reports in support to the Director.

• Responds to information queries from SCIR members; ensures information sharing and active engagement between SCIR and program areas; updates SCIR experience profiles; manages the process for SCIR program governance appointments.

Policy and Network Coordination (80%):

• Establishes terms of reference for new policy statements; manages consultant assignments for policy research, analysis and writing; facilitates reference groups/partners to contribute to policy drafts; coordinates the internal and external review and approval process for new policy statements (e.g., FCM, international partners, UCLG); drafts and executes action plans to guide policy implementation and monitoring.

• Provide support to FCMI on advocacy work in Canada and internationally as it relates to policy implementation ; ie: design and implementation of FCMI related advocacy campaigns; liaising with domestic government and international partners; monitoring the agenda of organizations and parliamentary committees of relevance to FCMI (e.g., SCFAID, Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, CIDA); prepares periodic reports for the Board, SCIR, CEO.

• Supports FCM’s participation and contribution in Municipal International Networks and Fora (eg: UCLG’s NORAM Secretariat, UCLG Governance, CLGF, AIMF, etc.)

• Supports FCMI’s participation and contribution to UCLG, CLGF, AIMF, including FCM’s role as secretariat of UCLG’s Development Cooperation and City Diplomacy Committee and support to UCLG’s Capacity and Institution Building Working Group.

• Develops and maintains relationships with domestic, regional, international and issue specific networks and organizations relevant to FCMI’s programming work; monitors websites, newsletters and publications to identify information and initiatives that are relevant to FCMI programs; alerts colleagues to potential activities or policy initiatives of relevance; day to day liaison with international (e.g., UCLG, CLGF, AIMF, CCIC, CECI, CRC, CARE, WUSC, etc.) and domestic (e.g., urban governance (CUI, CIP, Rooftops Canada, IPAC, ICSC) partners in support of FCMI programming objectives

• Coordinates the planning and implementation of the global, regional, and domestic networks component of FCMI’s core international program; recommends partners for international missions; provides pre-mission ‘international secretariat’ services (e.g., initial briefings, agendas, mission plans for international municipal/multilateral events, mission binders, briefing notes, liaison with staff and representatives on logistical requirements); coordinates budget development and monitoring for network activities

• Liaises with FCMI staff to identifying key resource people in FCM departments to assist with global network delegation meetings/responses; coordinates each delegation meeting (e.g., scheduling, agenda, document coordination); develops/maintains suite of routine briefing materials to support meetings with external delegations; maintains a record of requests and FCMI responses; develops tools and provides guidance on determining when/when not to meet external delegations; when appropriate to pursue program related objectives, connects Canadian municipalities with these networks.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Post-secondary degree in public administration, international development, law or related discipline and experience in working with Boards, policy work and dealing with international contacts/issues

• 3 years of experience in international development; specific experience in the field of local governance is an asset;

• An understanding of the function of government and decision-making in Canada, as well as an understanding of the interests of international development issues.

• Proven experience in researching public and international policy issues.

• Experience in coordinating high profile/senior level meetings and events

• Ability to work in highly collaborative, dynamic team in an outcome-focused, real-time, client service environment.

• Sensitivity and diplomacy in dealing with people from all over the world

• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with internal and external stakeholders

• Crisp, clear writing skills.

• Fluency in both written and oral French and English is required.

• Travel is required both domestically and internationally

Core Competencies:

The successful candidate will also exhibit the following competencies:

• Results Oriented: Committed to achieving results, demonstrating innovation and creativity in overcoming obstacles. Organizes time, work and resources to accomplish objectives in the most effective and efficient way.

• Client Focus: Making client satisfaction a priority and at the center of all decisions. Providing service excellence to internal and external clients.

• Teamwork: Contributing to the development of a team environment where team members ultimately achieve established goals.

• Ethics and Fairness: Treating everyone fairly and equitably and maintaining high ethical standards.

The benefits to joining the FCM team include summer hours (Fridays off between July 1st and Labour Day); office facilities located in the ByWard Market, FCM’s commitment to employee development and a range of employee benefits and services.

For additional information on this posting, or for further information on FCM, access our website at www.fcm.ca.

Visit the  careers section of our website to apply.  Deadline for applications is July 16, 2013.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however we will only contact those selected for an interview. All the applications will be kept on file for six months following the hiring.