Lead, Government Engagement

Are you looking for more than a job? At World Vision Canada we offer challenging careers that change the lives of children all over the world and it will change yours too. Come and be part of a team of 400 Canadians with a vision for the world: Life in all its fullness for every child.

You will experience Christian faith in action helping to make real and lasting change in the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children. Join the World Vision Canada team and be part of a powerful and effective force for good:

For Children. For Change. For Life.

Position: Lead, Government Engagement

Reports to: Head of Advocacy & Government Engagement

Position Term: Full Time Temporary until September 2025

Primary Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Workplace Type: Remote (Must be in Ottawa Area)

Job Purpose:

World Vision Canada’s (WVC) primary objective for engaging with the Government of Canada is to promote the rights and well-being of the most marginalized girls and boys around the world. This is expressed through our resource acquisition, policy influence and positioning efforts.

Within this objective, the purpose of the Lead, Government Engagement is to provide overall leadership to ensure WVC’s continued reputation with the Government of Canada as a go-to programming partner.

The Lead is a subject matter expert in government relations and strategic partnering, Canada’s international development priorities, and the ways in which Global Affairs Canada operates and interacts with partner organizations both at headquarters and abroad.

The Lead works with and supports multiple World Vision teams – both in Canada and in our offices abroad - who engage with Global Affairs Canada to ensure that our government engagement is professional, timely, and consistent in its approach and messaging. The Lead is also responsible for identifying and leading business development opportunities with the Government of Canada.

This position works in close collaboration with the Lead, Policy and Government Relations (who focuses on political engagement with federal Members of Parliament, Senators, Prime Minister’s office and government Ministers), and with the Head of Global Partnerships and Business Development (to deliver on the objectives set out in WVC’s Public Sector Revenue Strategy.)

Gender equality is a priority focus of WVC. As such, all duties and responsibilities will be undertaken through a gender equality lens.

Responsibilities:

Proactively drive effective and strategic Canadian government engagement and positioning to continuously improve World Vision’s reputation as a go-to programming partner and thought leader

• Drive a relationship mapping and prioritization strategy with key government stakeholders, from desk level to senior management, including at local missions (embassies, high commissions) abroad.
• Lead in driving top-level thematic focus and positioning priorities with the Government of Canada (in keeping with WVC’s Consolidated Technical Voice - CTV) and build synergies across relevant WVC teams.
• Lead identification of opportunities for high-level events, reports and collaborations that will enhance positioning and resource acquisition.
• Provide guidance, tools, and strategic insights for World Vision staff engaging with Global Affairs Canada officials at headquarters and abroad.
• Identify and provide close support to priority field offices’ engagement with local Global Affairs Canada officials.
• Develop effective personal relationships with relevant GAC staff, leading or participating in meetings and engagements as required.
• Collaborate on the creation of WVC’s election readiness strategy
• Support WVC senior leader relationship building with senior Global Affairs Canada stakeholders.
• Support any engagements related to Ministers, MPs, or officials travel to World Vision field offices.
• Track, disseminate, and provide strategic advice on engagements with Canadian government officials.
• Lead the creation of briefing notes and other government engagement supports as required.
  
  

Drive business development with the Government of Canada

• Actively monitor and solicit intel on Canada’s international assistance priorities and investments, and opportunities to strengthen World Vision’s positioning and resource acquisition.
• Identify gaps and opportunities with World Vision’s programming portfolio with the Government of Canada
• Lead in identifying and creating business development opportunities – including unsolicited proposals.
• Participate in and provide strategic guidance for Government of Canada funding submissions.
• Identify and drive resource diversification opportunities with the Government of Canada, including through innovative approaches to funding.
• Provide analysis and forecasts of the Government of Canada investments in international development and humanitarian assistance.
  
  

Qualifications:

• University degree (Master’s degree preferred) in international development, political science, public relations, or related field.
• 3+ years of government relations experience in Canadian federal political context or public service.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience with international development contexts.
• Excellent understanding of international and Canadian development and foreign policy, and how they impact the well-being of children in developing country contexts.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing strategies for positioning an INGO with the Canadian government.
• Experience in business development and grant acquisition.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality in the context of policy change/government relations.
  
  

Preferred:

• Experience working within, or as a partner of, Global Affairs Canada
• Experience working in an INGO and navigating dynamics and building relationships across country offices.
• Bilingual French/English
  
  

Critical Skills:

• Demonstrated success in identifying and championing emerging issues with government partners.
• Ability to think strategically and synthesize complex information.
• Excellent and winsome communication and public presentation skills, both oral and written, for internal and external audiences
• Ability to effectively brief and support senior executives.
• Demonstrable project management and reporting skills, to ensure that time sensitive projects are strategically executed and completed by articulated deadlines.
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Some attendance at evening / weekend events may be required.
• Ideally, not be restricted from lobbying the federal government.
  
  

Application Instructions:

Please submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter (no more than two pages), which describes how you fit the specific purpose and qualifications/critical skills of the position and answers to the following: You’re going on vacation. Where is the 12-hour flight going? What did you pack? Who’s sitting next to you and what are you talking about? What snacks did you bring? What are you reading or listening to?
  
  

Why Consider Us?

• World Vision Canada has consistently been awarded Canada and GTA top employer awards.
• We are Canada’s largest development, relief, and advocacy non-profit organization.
• We embody an Agile mindset here.
• We offer competitive pay and benefits. Our comprehensive health benefits start at day 1 which includes a Health Spending Account.
• We match pension contributions up to 6% and provide a top-up for pregnancy & parental leaves.
• We offer extra time off for restoration by closing for an additional day on long weekends, 6 times a year.
• We provide up to six weeks’ vacation, plus paid sick days, personal days & wellness days.
• We offer a family-friendly, caring, and flexible work environment.
  
  

We bring life-saving support in times of disaster. We help poor communities to take charge of their futures. We provide small loans and training that boost family livelihoods. We work with policy makers to change the way the world is run. Our Christian faith teaches us that every child, regardless of gender, faith or race, is a precious gift to the entire world - and that their wellbeing concerns us all. We shall never rest while children suffer in situations that can be changed.

Canada's Top 100 Employers GTA Top 100 Employers

Our Core Values: We are committed to the Poor. We are Christian. We are Stewards. We value People. We are Partners. We are Responsive.

Qualified candidates must be able to demonstrate a commitment to the core values and mission of the World Vision partnership.

World Vision Canada takes our Safeguarding responsibilities seriously and we provide an environment that is safe for our child and adult beneficiaries. We have strong recruitment procedures to make sure the safest and most suitable people work with the children in our programs. We provide our staff and volunteers with ongoing supervision, support and training in their work with child and adult beneficiaries.

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

Thank you for your interest; however only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

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