Scope of this Position

As the Food Network Coordinator, this position will co-lead the Concordia Food Coalition's (CFC) strategy and programming with a primary focus on supporting community-based food initiatives and creating connections among food justice and access groups within the campus and broader community. The role ensures the growth and sustainability of the food network, facilitates food group engagement, and oversees key food-related programs, including the STIR Program. The Coordinator will also play a role in strategic program improvement and advocacy within the food system at Concordia.

Role Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop, implement, and lead the Food Network Development Strategy, establishing strategic goals for all initiatives and aligning activities with CFC’s mission and vision.
  • Ensure the food network's strategic direction is focused on fostering collaboration, empowering food groups, and strengthening the coalition of food justice and access initiatives.
• Ensure the sustainability and long-term development of food-related initiatives, working closely with community partners, food group leaders, and CFC staff.
• Adapt programming and strategy in response to emerging challenges and opportunities in the campus food system.

Program Management

• Marketing & communications: Develop awareness & promotional campaigns and disseminate materials for Food Network initiatives
  • Follow the CFC Communications Strategy & uphold the CFC voice and brand identity; collaborate closely with the Education and Engagement Coordinator
• Food Network Forum Administration: Plan, coordinate, and facilitate 4-6 regular events per academic year that facilitate peer-to-peer mentorship, inform, engage, and mobilize food groups to collaborate. Events should be food group focused while incorporating faculty, staff and community partners, and should be designed based on continuous consultation with participants. Regular programming includes:
  • Food Group Assemblies (one per semester)
  • Faculty & Food Group meetings (one per semester)
• Communal Pot Program Development: Work with the General Coordinator and the Market Coordinator to develop a new community training program for food groups – the Communal Pot
  • Consult with food groups, market vendors, and students to develop a method for selecting the next training topic
  • Write policy, establish guidelines, and launch new regular programming
• STIR Program Administration:
  • Oversee program intake, onboarding, mentorship, and resource distribution, ensuring food groups receive tailored support and training.
  • Coordinate and deliver practical supports: fundraising, training and skills-building sessions (e.g., Governance training package, MAPAQ training).
  • Prepare and manage the budget for the STIR Program, conduct periodic checkins and track resource commitments and usage by groups
  • Act as a liaison between STIR groups, food groups and university administration, ensuring access to necessary resources, facilities, and funding opportunities.
  • Lead STIR Selection Committee to:
    • Recruit committee and coalition members
    • Coordinate and facilitate committee meetings
    • Oversee participant screening and selection process
    • Plan and implement program changes and responsive training
• Faculty Awards Program Development/ Food Studies Revival: In collaboration with the General Coordinator and Outreach Intern, as applicable, develop a new outreach program to extend partnership networks with faculty
  • Work with relevant stakeholders to revive the Food Studies Concordia page
  • Help create resources for faculty to enrich curriculum with food knowledge
  • Develop an award program to identify and benefit faculty members involved in meaningful food justice work
• DevOur and Regional Development: Support the General Coordinator and Education and Engagement Coordinator in the development of a regional campus network of food projects
  • Liaise with other campuses, help maintain regional partnerships, update profiles on the National Campus Food Coalition (NCFC) platform
  • Help organize a yearly gathering of regional campus food projects (DevOur)
  • Support the creation of resources and guides to empower the creation of new food projects
• Campus Food Reform: Support the General Coordinator in the implementation of the new Strategic Directions and develop the next campus food reform project that will inherit the goals of the New Food Enterprise/Équi-Table

Community Engagement & Advocacy

• Establish a reliable on-campus presence, spending at least one work day per week actively engaging with food groups and STIR program participants in person at their locations.
• Build and maintain relationships with food group leaders, student organizers, faculty, administrators, and community partners to cultivate a unified community coalition of food justice and access groups.
• Represent CFC in networks, committees, and working groups to advocate for food justice policies and alternative campus food systems.
• Support and promote food group initiatives and events through CFC communication channels.

Mentorship & Stewardship

• Support the recruitment, training, and management of interns and volunteers engaged in Food Network programming
• Provide clear direction and guidance on work plans, ensuring intern responsibilities align with the CFC Strategies, that they understand their tasks and have the resources they need to complete their duties.
• Oversee and work closely with:
  • Food Group Support Intern
  • Special projects Interns: (ad hoc) Research

Program Evaluation & Reporting

• Establish strategic goals for Food Group Assemblies, Faculty and Food Group Meet and Greets, the STIR Program, and eventually the Communal Pot Program, and maintain collaborative reporting documents and tracking systems to assess the effectiveness of initiatives.
• Collect feedback from groups, students, faculty and community stakeholders whenever possible, to continually improve program delivery and support services.
• Prepare activity briefs and end of semester evaluations for Food Network initiatives, collecting and analyzing feedback from food groups and stakeholders.

General Responsibilities

• Communicate weekly updates to the Coordinator Team on the status of Interns, events & initiatives, and other related programs.
• Participate in weekly team meetings (at least one in-person per semester) and organizational development, strategic, or program planning meetings as needed (some evenings)
• Prepare monthly reports for monthly Board Meetings and Annual General Meetings.
• Establish a reliable weekly work schedule and communicate schedule changes to the Coordinator team
• Log work time and paid time off in the assigned time tracker on a daily basis
• Preparing for and participating in self and peer evaluations (twice annually)
• Take initiative in identifying and addressing personal areas for skill development, seeking out training opportunities and financial support for professional development
• Maintain compassionate communications and collaborative work relationships with teammates and Board
• Maintaining organization and conformity in collaborative, virtual and physical file sharing
• Understanding your role and responsibilities as stipulated in this job description
• Familiarizing yourself with and adhering to the CFC Constitution, policies, history, and general operations

Qualifications

• High emotional intelligence with the ability to be both empathetic and firm in managing relationships and conflict
• Dedication towards building sustainable, healthy, affordable, and non-corporate food systems
• Proven track record in program coordination and stakeholder collaboration in community-based food systems
• Demonstrated leadership, strategy, multi-tasking and time-management abilities
• Excellent English oral and written skills, intermediate French oral and written skills (required)
• Familiarity with Concordia University’s institutional processes and the campus milieu an asset