Director, Policy, Research and Public Affairs

THE ORGANIZATION

The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) represents growers involved in the production of over 120 different types of crops on over 14,000 farms, with a farm gate value of $8 billion.
FVGC is an Ottawa-based voluntary, not-for-profit, national association, and, since 1922, has advocated on issues that affect Canada's fresh produce sector - promoting healthy, safe, and sustainable food, ensuring the continued success and growth of the industry.
For more information on the organization, its vision and mission, please visit our website:

/
fvgc.
ca

THE POSITION

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director will be accountable for the development and implementation of public engagement strategies including government and stakeholder relations, communications, as well as research and policy development in support of FVGC's organizational objectives.

The Director will work with the Executive Director, other FVGC staff and Working Group chairs to facilitate horizontal collaboration and synergies in issue management, policy development, stakeholder engagement and communications.

Effective communication skills, discretion, tact and professionalism are paramount in this role.

This is a full-time permanent position.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Supports the Executive Director in their advocacy and government relations role.
  
• Develops and implements advocacy, government relations, communications and stakeholder engagement strategies
• Supports, mentors and supervises the Manager, Policy & Government Relations and the Manager, Communications
• Identifies, and assesses external issues that affect Canada's fruit and vegetable sector and develops strategies and tactics to address them
• Conducts (or supports) research and policy development on issues affecting Canada's fruit and vegetable sector
• Fosters strategic cooperative relations with media, governments and their agencies, stakeholder organizations and academia
• Fosters horizontal (organization-wide) collaboration and synergies in advocacy priority-setting, planning and execution.
  
• Prepares and/or supports the preparation of meeting agenda and supporting materials including background and decision memoranda for the Board and FVGC Working Groups and committees as necessary

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• Experience leading, inspiring and managing staff
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience and a proven track record in public affairs, research and policy development, government relations, issue management and stakeholder engagement.
  
• Experience researching and writing policy documents, briefing notes, backgrounders, etc.
  
• Experience in strategic communications planning.
  
• Experience working with volunteer boards and committees
• Agri-food industry experience is an asset

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Superior knowledge and understanding of the working of governments as well as public sector decision-making
• Ability to communicate effectively and with confidence
• Knowledge and understanding of the role of the media in setting the public agenda
• Ability to write effectively for a variety of mediums
• Solid work ethic, commitment to high quality work, results and attention to detail.
  
• Proven ability to work under the pressure of deadlines and shifting priorities in a fast-moving environment.
  
• A self-starter with the demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, with minimal supervision
• Experience with Microsoft Suite including MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Bilingualism is an important asset

Education

• A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in political science, public administration or economics is required.
  A Master's degree in one of the disciplines above is an important asset.
  

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a copy of your resume with a letter outlining why this position interests you, as well your salary expectations to our recruitment partner at:
careers@businesssherpagroup.
com

FVGC is an equal opportunity employer and accommodates people with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process.

Expressions of interest in this opportunity must be received at the above e-mail address no later than end of business day May 15th 2025.

DIRECTEUR/DIRECTRICE DES POLITIQUES, DE LA RECHERCHE ET DES AFFAIRES PUBLIQUES

L'ORGANISATION

Les Producteurs de fruits et légumes du Canada (PFLC) représentent des agriculteurs qui produisent plus de 120 types de cultures différentes sur plus de 14 000 fermes, avec une valeur à la ferme de 8 milliards de dollars.
Les PFLC sont une association nationale bénévole à but non lucratif basée à Ottawa.
Depuis 1922, les PFLC défendent les intérêts du secteur des fruits et légumes frais au Canada et font la promotion d'une alimentation saine, sécuritaire et durable, assurant ainsi le succès et la croissance continus de l'industrie.
Pour de plus amples informations sur l'organisation, sa vision et sa mission, veuillez consulter notre site Web au
/fvgc.
ca/fr/

LE POSTE

Sous la responsabilité du directeur général, la directrice ou le directeur sera chargé de l'élaboration et de la mise en œuvre de stratégies de mobilisation publique, y compris les relations avec le gouvernement et les parties prenantes, les communications, ainsi que la recherche et l'élaboration de politiques à l'appui des objectifs des PFLC en tant qu'organisation.

Le directeur ou la directrice travaillera avec le directeur général, d'autres membres du personnel des PFLC et la présidence des groupes de travail afin de faciliter la collaboration horizontale et les synergies dans la gestion des enjeux, l'élaboration des politiques, la mobilisation des parties prenantes et la communication.

Des compétences de communication efficaces, la discrétion, le tact et le professionnalisme sont primordiaux pour occuper ce rôle.

Il s'agit d'un poste permanent à temps plein.

PRINCIPALES FONCTIONS ET RESPONSABILITÉS

• Soutenir le directeur général dans son rôle en matière de défense des intérêts et de relations gouvernementales.
  
• Élaborer et mettre en œuvre des stratégies de défense des intérêts, de relations gouvernementales, de communication et de mobilisation des parties prenantes.
  
• Soutenir, encadrer et superviser la gestionnaire, Politique et Relations gouvernementales, et la gestionnaire, Communications.
  
• Identifier et évaluer les enjeux externes qui affectent le secteur des fruits et légumes au Canada et élaborer des stratégies et des tactiques pour leur faire face.
  
• Mener (ou soutenir) des travaux de recherche et d'élaboration de politiques sur des enjeux qui affectent le secteur des fruits et légumes au Canada.
  
• Établir des relations de coopération stratégiques avec les médias, les gouvernements et leurs agences, les parties prenantes et le monde universitaire.
  
• Fa.