Hiring! Communications & Membership Coordinator
Job Posting: Communications & Membership Coordinator
To apply: Send resume with cover letter to shaw@nfu.ca by end of day, Wed Oct 14, 2020.
The National Farmers Union is Canada’s progressive national farm organization made up of Canadian farmers and farm families who share common goals. NFU members work together for agricultural policies that ensure dignity and security of income for farmers and farm families while enhancing the land for future generations, working nationally and internationally for farmers and social justice. The National Farmers Union is unique among farm organizations in working for people’s interests against corporate control of our food system.
The Communications & Membership Coordinator is a one-year, full-time contract made possible by grant funding. The position is based from the NFU office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Communications & Membership Coordinator position requires communications and organizational abilities, technical software skills, and great enthusiasm for the work. Fluency in written and spoken French is a strong asset.
The Role & Responsibilities
The Communication & Membership Coordinator’s responsibilities include the following:
Communications
- Working with NFU policy experts, craft and submit press releases, op eds, letters, and other external communications
- Develop and curate social media content on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
- Promote NFU activities including the annual convention, workshops, webinars and media coverage
- Create regular electronic newsletter
- Respond to incoming communications
- Rapidly coordinate media interviews with relevant members
- Compile and layout articles for the Union Farmer Quarterly
- Identify and build relationships with journalists covering agriculture, climate change, agroecology, food sovereignty and other relevant topics
- Develop graphic/visual storytelling and social media
- Bring personal creativity to NFU communications
- Support NFU policy experts and NFU work within the Farmers for Climate Solutions coalition
- Create a communications plan for optimal communications
Internal Data Management
- Under the guidance of the Director of Finance, carefully maintain and optimize the use of the NFU member Database (Sumac) to facilitate membership service, retention and recruitment
- Upload and edit content on NFU website; work with webmaster on website improvements
- Maintain communications files including editing webinars and videos
- Maintain membership lists
Membership
- Use a variety of channels to keep members informed and facilitate two-way communication with members
- Working with the Membership Committee, develop creative ways to support membership development, increasing member connection and collaboration, member benefits, and member communication
- Source and compile photos, videos, and quotes from members for sharing
- Promote membership in the NFU through engagement, fun, empowerment and media, building relationships personally and between members
- Encourage and empower members to build local networks
Fund Development
- Work with the Executive Director to identify and secure funding to ensure continuity of this position.
Reporting
The Communications & Membership Coordinator reports to the NFU Executive Director.
Working Conditions
This is a full-time, 1-year contract position (37.5 hours per week), for $43,000 to $46,000/year commensurate with experience with vacation and benefits package. Work some evenings and weekends may be required. Work is based from the NFU headquarters in Saskatoon. Some flexibility in work hours is available.
The Ideal Candidate
The NFU is looking for a highly organized, responsible person with a passion for people, storytelling and movement-building. Direct experience of Canadian farming is a strong asset. Graphic design and layout skills are required. The candidate will be experienced with social media, and digital platforms and will be eager to learn any skills they do not already have. They will have strong written and verbal communication skills. The candidate will manage multiple projects and take ownership for results. They must be committed to the NFU’s goals and to grassroots organizing. Fluency in spoken and written French are strong assets.
Skills
The Communications Specialist will have:
- A background in marketing or communications through schooling and/or experience
- Experience working with groups, organizing and mobilizing
- Ability to apply critical analysis to complex issues
- Enthusiasm for building grassroots social movements
- Proficiency in online communications including Mailchimp and WordPress
- Strong social media skills including use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Hootsuite.
- Experience writing for the media, pitching stories creatively; comfortable with all media platforms and able to target specific audiences effectively
- Experience with contact management software like Sumac; Abobe Acrobat; graphic design software
- Knowledge of and interest in agriculture, social justice, community development, agroecology and food sovereignty
- Communications – Excellent and engaging written and spoken English
- Fluency in written and spoken French highly valued
Characteristics Required
- Ability to work collaboratively while taking responsibility for their work
- Ability to connect with a wide range of people
- Attention to detail, accuracy, conscientiousness
- Proactive, positive, industrious, and socially conscientious
- Commitment to diversity, inclusivity and respect
To apply: Send resume with cover letter to shaw@nfu.ca by end of day, Wed Oct 14, 2020.
The NFU is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants of diverse race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, religion, ability, sexual orientation, and gender expression.
The NFU will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodations during the interview process, please include them with your application.
We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only applicants considered for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.
