The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is the national voice of local government. We bring together nearly 2,000 municipalities of all sizes—representing 90 percent of Canadians. FCM has secured unprecedented tools and influence for municipalities of all sizes—from historic infrastructure, housing and broadband investments to a one-time doubling of the federal Canada Community-Building Fund transfer. Now more than ever, Canada looks to FCM and its members to deliver local solutions to pressing national challenges.

Major Purpose

Reporting to the Manager, Outreach and Engagement within PPA, the O&E Advisor (Quebec & Francophone Affairs) will work in close collaboration with key Quebec members and stakeholders to enhance FCM’s understanding of existing challenges and opportunities unique to Quebec and Francophone members and ensure those perspectives are incorporated into FCM’s work.  Central to this position’s effectiveness will be building and leveraging a network of relationships with FCM member municipalities, its Quebec board members and Réseau Francophone, FCM’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus, and key stakeholders. An understanding of Quebec political dynamics and issues important to Quebec and Francophone municipalities will be essential to inform the Advisor’s work with an integrated team of government relations, public policy, media and communications professionals. The Advisor will also collaborate with colleagues across departments to identify stakeholders, partners, and champions, and coordinate activities to mobilize them.

The Advisor will also take part in the development of organizational bilingualism strategies and will be responsible for representing and advancing the interests of FCM’s Francophone members by providing strategic advice and recommendations to the CEO, CEO’s Office and FCM Senior Leadership, in collaboration with skilled teams across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary resource and point of contact for FCM’s Quebec members within PPA and lead PPA’s Quebec and Francophone member engagement strategy, including relationship management and coordination.
• Support and coordinate engagement of FCM members in policy development and advocacy strategies, with a particular focus on FCM’s Quebec Regional Caucus, Quebec municipal associations, and FCM’s Reseau Francophone.
• Identify and create opportunities to increase Quebec member outreach and engagement activities that amplify our voice to the federal government, stakeholders and the general public.
• Issues management: Monitor developing news, trends, issues, and best practices related to Quebec and Francophone federal-municipal politics.
• Leverage expertise related to Quebec and Francophone politics, policy and programs to provide strategic advice, consultation, and expertise to the CEO and to internal stakeholders.
• Leverage FCM and member events (e.g. FCM Annual Conference, regional municipal meetings) to support member recruitment and retention, expand FCM’s network of municipal champions, and provide staff support for FCM’s elected leaders and senior staff.
• Coordinate across departments to manage the flow of information and follow up actions stemming from Quebec member and stakeholder engagement.
• Implement, monitor and evaluate outreach and engagement strategies, tools, and activities.
• Collaborate on all FCM bilingualism strategies including the engagement of FCM’s Réseau Francophone.
• Participate in the development of organization wide strategies specific to supporting Quebec and Francophone members.
• Complete a variety of assignments and special projects, as assigned.

Knowledge and Experience

• A combination of professional and lived experience and/or a university degree in politics, public administration, marketing, public relations, communications or a related field; and/or
• 5 years’ experience working on successful national advocacy, engagement, or electoral campaigns. Experience working directly with elected officials, the media and/or a membership-based organization is considered an asset.
• Proven understanding of the Quebec political environment and issues relevant to Quebec municipalities.
• Proven project management skills, including the ability to effectively organize, process, and communicate information in a fast-moving work environment.
• Familiarity both with (1) social media and web-based outreach tools; and (2) more traditional outreach tactics and tools (e.g. telephone canvassing, direct mail, engaging community groups).
• Strategic thinking skills combined with a proven capacity for hands-on technical work.
• Excellent verbal and written professional communication skills.
• Capacity to work in a self-directed manner and demonstrated ability to work well within a team setting.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to exercise tact, discretion and judgment at all times.
• Excellent knowledge of FCM and current national priorities including infrastructure, housing, transit etc.

Language

• Bilingualism is required, where candidates can demonstrate Exempt Level Proficiency in French (Oral, Written, Comprehension) and advanced level proficiency in English (Oral, Written, Comprehension)

Other

• The ability to travel within Canada approximately 3-6 times per year

The benefits to joining the FCM team include summer hours (Fridays off between July 1^st and Labour Day); office facilities located in the ByWard Market, FCM’s commitment to employee development and a competitive range of employee benefits and services.  FCM encourages flexible work arrangements to support the wellbeing and productivity of employees.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is committed to fostering an organizational culture that embraces equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, where individuals from diverse racial and ethnic identities, nationalities, social economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and physical and mental abilities can thrive and be fully engaged at their best level.

FCM welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.

The future of work at FCM includes a hybrid work model; therefore, this role will be a combination of virtual and on-site work. The successful candidate is required live in and be authorized to work in Canada. They are also required to be able to work from home/remotely, from within Canada.  All in-office work and in-person meetings for work that take place inside and/or outside of the offices located in Ottawa will be subject to FCM’s Safe Workplace Vaccination Policy, as well as its health and safety procedures.

It is a mandatory condition of employment at FCM that the successful candidate be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with vaccines that have been approved by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to their start date and will be required to provide proof.  If accommodation is required in relation to this condition of employment for any reason pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code, please contact us at directly. 

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 1, 2022.

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