Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) is a farmer-led national coalition working to scale up climate solutions in agriculture. We advance policy proposals to Canadian governments to better support farmers to reduce emissions and build resilience and we encourage farmers to adopt climate-friendly practices through the Farm Resilience Mentorship (FaRM) Program.

FCS is seeking a Communications Manager to develop and deliver compelling communications across both our policy and field program work streams. Our solutions-oriented approach, hopeful messaging, and distinct voice is helping to shift the needle on climate change in agriculture. We are looking for someone to contribute their expertise to our efforts!

EXPERIENCE WE ARE SEEKING

The list below describes the mandate of the Communications Manager, and the experience/qualifications needed to succeed in the job. If you possess approximately 80 percent of the essential experience/qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

The Communications Manager will report to the Senior Communications Manager and collaborate with the rest of the FCS team to fulfill the following mandate. 

Develop and deliver communications content to support policy and program goals via website, social media, newsletters, advertisements, and other communications tools.

Experience/qualifications

• 5-7 years combined experience in post-secondary and/or professional environment in a related field (ESSENTIAL)
• Excellent English writing, storytelling and editing skills for both long and short form (ESSENTIAL)
• Experience crafting messaging that communicates complex ideas in accessible and engaging ways, while supporting the organization’s unique voice (ESSENTIAL)
• Experience communicating about agriculture and/or experience with climate change communications (ESSENTIAL)
• Experience implementing communications strategies tailored to specific audiences (ESSENTIAL)
• A sharp eye for compelling design and experience using software like Canva and the Adobe suite (ESSENTIAL)
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners towards a common goal (ESSENTIAL)
• Experience managing work and deadlines independently, while ensuring colleagues are informed and able to contribute as needed (ESSENTIAL)
• Experience reaching and engaging with farmers in rural Canada, specifically  across the Prairies (ASSET)
• French writing, storytelling and editing skills for both long and short form (ASSET)

2. Grow the reach of Farmers for Climate Solutions, by:

• Developing outreach and amplification tools for FCS partners
• Creating communications tools for coalition members
• Creating promotional and recruitment tools for FaRM program
• Recruiting and equipping FCS Farmer Ambassadors to speak on behalf of the organization in media and in other forums
• Managing social media accounts and growing audiences
• Monitoring and evaluating success of materials, and adapting accordingly
• Experience/qualifications
• Experience growing and fostering online communities and strong ability to meet them where they are at (ESSENTIAL)
• Awareness and understanding of the diversity of challenges, values, and needs of farmers, farming communities and farming organizations in Canada (ESSENTIAL)
• Experience designing and implementing social media campaigns and managing social media accounts (ESSENTIAL)
• Experience using Mailchimp or other service providers to send mass emails (ESSENTIAL)
• Experience tracking analytics and gathering data from website, social media and newsletter (ESSENTIAL)
• Solid computer skills and experience using Google Workspace (ESSENTIAL)
• Up-to-date knowledge on trends and best practices for creating successful communications tools (ASSET)
• Experience managing content on a Squarespace website, or other related platforms (e.g. WordPress, Joomla) (ASSET)

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION

This is a full time contractual position until September 2025, with possibility of renewal should additional funding be secured. You must be based in and have the legal right to work in Canada. Benefits available for this position include: 

• Extended health, pharmaceutical, and dental coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Defined contribution pension plan
• 4 weeks of annual vacation, as well as emergency and sick leave (plus office closure between Dec 25th and Jan 1st)
• Parental leave 
• Flexibility regarding working hours and location
• Salary of $75,074 per annum
• Benefits and protections as a member of Union of Public Service Alliance of Canada 

FCS staff work remotely from locations across Canada. Staff require reliable internet service that allows for smooth online video and audio communication. FCS staff receive a computer if requested, a contribution to a phone plan, and other support to facilitate work from home.

All FCS staff are currently hired by SeedChange, the Secretariat of FCS. All staff receive the benefits of SeedChange employment (as described above) and are required to adhere to SeedChange policies. As a result of rapid growth, FCS is currently making a transition to becoming its own organization, independent from SeedChange. The Communications Manager will be hired by SeedChange, as an employee of SeedChange, but will be part of FCS’ transition to become an independent organization. As FCS transitions to its new organization, the conditions offered at SeedChange are the baseline for what will be expected at our new organization. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of our organization and build a workplace that works for our team.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

FCS works within, and is representative of, a Canadian agricultural sector that has significant work to do to advance action for reconciliation and decolonization, improve intersectional analysis, and amplify the voices and leadership of equity-deserving farmers (i.e. young farmers, women farmers, farmers with disabilities, Black farmers, Indigenous farmers and food providers, farmers of colour, small-scale farmers, and 2SLGBTQ+ farmers). FCS is committed to policy and programming that acknowledge and serve the diversity within our sector, and this ongoing work is being implemented through FCS’ Equity Project.

FCS believes that our sector, and our work as a coalition, will be stronger with decreased barriers to entry and better opportunities to succeed for equity-deserving individuals. We encourage people who belong to an equity-deserving group to apply to join our team, and to self-identify in your application if you wish. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact info@farmersforclimatesolutions.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply for the position please click on this application link: weseedchange.bamboohr.com/careers/26

Please include a cover letter referencing your motivation to apply for this role, reflections on your relevant experience and skills, and any other information you would like to share, as well as a résumé. Please also include 3 writing samples with your application that showcase your ability to write in long and short form (newsletter content, social media blurb, blog post, etc.), specifically related to agriculture and/or climate change where possible.

SeedChange/ Farmers for Climate Solutions is committed to promoting justice, non-discrimination, equal opportunity and equal participation on  employment matters.  SeedChange recognizes that the process of preparing for a job interview not only requires investment of valuable time and effort but is stressful on the part of the candidates and might involve incurring financial costs. In this regard, as a token of our appreciation for your efforts all candidates who participate in a job interview with SeedChange/ Farmers for Climate Solutions will receive an amount of CAD$100.

Deadline for applications is April 24. Interviews of short-listed candidates are anticipated to be held during the weeks of May 8 and 15, 2023. Only candidates short-listed for the position will be contacted. We are unable to accept questions about the position or recruitment.

Thank you for your interest in working with Farmers for Climate Solutions !