The National Right to Housing Network is seeking a creative, skilled, and strategic writer, communicator, and problem solver to join our team as the Communications Coordinator. Their mission will be to make the human right to housing accessible, practical, and compelling to decision-makers and stakeholders while ensuring frequent and strategic communication with NRHN audiences. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with an expected start date in September 2022.

About Us

The National Right to Housing Network (NRHN) is a broad-based and grassroots civil society network established to fully realize the human right to housing in Canada. The goals of the Network are to:

1. Hold governments accountable to Canada’s international and domestic commitments to implement housing as a fundamental human right; and,
2. Build a community-based infrastructure and culture that supports the meaningful implementation of the right to adequate housing.

The NRHN is led by a small but mighty staff and Steering Committee of key leaders, thinkers, experts, and people with lived experience of homelessness and inadequate housing. The Network launched in February 2020 and now includes over 350 organizational and individual members, five working groups, and thousands of supporters.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the NRHN Director of Policy and Communications, the Communications Coordinator is a skilled and nimble writer, designer, problem solver, and analytical thinker dedicated to practically implementing the right to housing and ending homelessness in Canada.

The Communications Coordinator will:

• Support the development of a comprehensive communications strategy to build support for the meaningful implementation of the right to adequate housing
• Develop, promote, and measure the success of all communications activities and materials including website content, blogs, social media, videos, newsletters, campaigns, and external publications, ensuring frequent and strategic communication with NRHN supporters and key audiences
• Help to design social media and newsletter graphics, reports, slide decks, and other communications materials using graphic design tools and software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or others)
• Lead media and public relations efforts, including writing press releases and managing media requests
• Support the development, promotion, and coordination of public education materials and events including webinars and training modules on the right to housing
• Participate in and offer technical support for virtual (e.g., Zoom) and in-person events and activities
• Write, research, and copy edit NRHN materials including reports, government submissions, international human rights submissions, and fund development/grant proposals
• Alongside NRHN staff, identify windows for rights-based policy change and coordinate the development of relevant, strategic, and persuasive materials and activities to push for this change (e.g., research reports, policy recommendations, human rights submissions, events, blogs, op-eds, lobbying meetings, community mobilization campaigns, etc.)
• Alongside NRHN staff, Steering Committee, and partners, envision, develop, and execute fundable projects in support of implementing the right to housing
• Participate in strategic planning and implementation, with a commitment to constant improvement

Drawing from their experience in communications and using superb writing skills, strategic thinking, and creativity, the mission of the Communications Coordinator is to make the right to housing accessible, practical, and compelling to key stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a background in policy analysis, research, and/or lobbying alongside a sophisticated knowledge of social media, communications, and public relations strategies and tactics. They will demonstrate thoughtfulness and intelligence in decision-making, a passion for social justice, and a willingness to develop relationships, create engaging human rights content, and work with other NRHN staff to do the tactical nitty-gritty communications work for the NRHN.  

The Communications Coordinator will work independently from a home office. They will be supported by the NRHN Director of Communications and Policy through regular online video conferencing calls.

This full-time role offers a salary of $65,000 to $75,000 per year plus benefits for a term of 18 months, with the potential for this term to be extended.

Qualifications

This position requires a passion for social justice, a belief in the human right to housing, and a sense of urgency to end and prevent homelessness and housing need in Canada. In addition, the position requires:

• Excellent writing and strategic communication skills, with an understanding of how to target, engage, and persuade different audiences (e.g., journalists, grassroots advocates, national organizations, housing providers, academics, people with lived experience, government officials and staff, etc.)
• Ability to maintain a consistent Network presence, brand, and voice on a variety of platforms while meeting strict deadlines
• An eye for user-friendly, consistent, and accessible design, with the ability to produce graphics for social media, websites, and newsletters
• Experience and competency with executing a communications strategy using multiple web and social media tools and platforms including (but not limited to) WordPress, NationBuilder, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and social media scheduling software
• Experience in creating and coordinating public relations and marketing materials such as press releases, blog posts, social media content, and newsletters
• Experience in coordinating, promoting, and supporting in-person and/or virtual events, particularly on Zoom
• Ability to conduct and summarize research, ideally with experience in communicating research findings effectively and creatively
• Knowledge of website management, organization, and writing
• Ability to coordinate external service providers and work with diverse stakeholders and partners
• Ability to manage projects in a fast paced, virtual team environment and towards strict timelines
• Willingness and ability to work from a home office and forge strong team relationships in a virtual office environment
• Willingness to receive and relay criticism constructively, with comfort in managing conflict and disagreement to a productive conclusion
• Willingness and ability to work with multiple perspectives in an inclusive and respectful manner
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in marketing, communications, public policy, journalism, sociology, social work, or a related field (we also value relevant experience in lieu of a degree)
• Bilingualism (e.g., proficiency in both English and French) is an asset
• Experience conducting policy analysis, development, and/or lobbying with government or at a human rights, feminist, housing, or other social or environmental justice organization is a strong asset

Candidates with lived experience of homelessness and/or who self-identify as being from a marginalized community, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, 2SLGBTQQIA persons, newcomers, or persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and will be prioritized. We ask that these candidates indicate their relevant lived experience in their cover letters.

Download the Full Role Description Here (PDF)

How to Apply

• To apply, please email your cover letter and CV to sahar@housingrights.ca with subject line, “Communications Coordinator Application.”
• Your cover letter should expand on your related experience and why you want to work for the National Right to Housing Network.
• Candidates with lived experience of homelessness and/or who self-identify as being from a marginalized community, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, 2SLGBTQQIA persons, newcomers, or persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and will be prioritized. We ask that these candidates indicate their relevant lived experience in their cover letters.
• This full-time role offers a starting salary of $65,000 to $75,000 per year plus benefits for a term of 18 months, with the potential for this term to be extended.
• Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with an expected start date in September 2022. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered.

Please note that only selected applicants will be contacted to continue in the hiring process. Please do not follow-up once you have sent your application.