Director of Policy & Advocacy

Title: Director, Policy and Advocacy

Department: Strategy, Policy and Research (SPR)

Reporting to: Sr Director, Policy & Research

Salary: $125K - $135K CAD

Location: Remote (Candidates based in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia or willing to relocate)

Description:

WES is seeking an experienced leader for the role of Director, Policy and Advocacy. The Director reports to the Senior Director, Strategy Policy and Research. The Director will work closely with the Senior Director to drive towards desired policy goals and impact.

In partnership with other teams and departments across WES, the Strategy Policy and Research team in Canada leads a policy advocacy and applied research agenda to drive towards the WES mission. The SPR team supports the capacity of WES to influence policy and program solutions in Canada. SPR works collaboratively with allies and policymakers to advance reforms that foster economic and social inclusion for immigrants, refugees, and international students and that help receiving communities realize mutual benefit to build shared prosperity. Through policy advocacy and applied research, we seek to advance skills commensurate with employment integration and to enhance system accountability and transparency. Our approach focuses on proposing solutions that: amplify the voices and experiences of those directly impacted; and embrace the complex and multi-stakeholder nature of the solutions required.

The SPR team also provides analysis and support to the Managing Director’s Office on policy issues impacting the credential evaluation services of WES and other policy-related corporate needs.

Areas of responsibility for the Director include: team leadership and management; priority setting; oversight and direction of key projects; and internal and external relationship management. The Director leads a small team of (3) Policy and Research Managers. Internally, the Director also works closely and collaboratively with the Managing Director, Sr. Dir. Government Relations and Planning, the Social Impact Division, and other WES departments. Externally, the director engages with a range of stakeholders and senior decision makers to advance WES Canada policy advocacy goals.

Our policy team aims to be proactive and strategic; future-oriented; impact-focused; and collaborative.

Responsibilities:

Policy and Advocacy Strategy

• Works closely with Sr. Director to:
• Set direction and drive policy and strategic priorities based on WES Canada policy priorities, strategic plans, and the external landscape
• Lead the development and evaluation of strategic policy and programmatic advocacy goals, outcomes and impacts
• Develop and guide/oversee the implementation of policy advocacy strategies in WES Canada priority areas such as healthcare licensure, international students and immigrant selection and integration policy, among others

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Develop strategies to engage and amplify the voices and policy priorities of directly impacted immigrants, refugees, international students
• Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with individuals, associations, decision-makers, and allies to drive desired policy changes and impact
• Lead the development and implementation of multistakeholder tables, working groups, advisory groups
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for project management of initiatives
• Represent WES at external policy and advocacy tables, consultations, conferences; coach and support team members in representing WES externally

Subject Matter Expertise and Analysis

• Provide leadership and subject matter expertise in areas of focus (e.g. skills commensurate workforce integration, occupational licensure, immigration policy)
• Maintain and grow an in-depth understanding of the policy and political landscape at the provincial and federal levels. Stay abreast of policy changes that impact the work and share insights with internal and external stakeholders
• Guide the team in assessing the landscape, and identifying opportunities and needs of the future
• Cultivate and maintain strong interpersonal and professional relationships with critical stakeholders, allies, and policy/research/advocacy organizations
• Oversee and contribute to analysis and creation of materials for internal and external publications that contribute towards advancing policy goals (briefs, submissions, blogs, presentations, proposals)
• Oversee and guide the development of applied policy research to support advocacy priorities
• Co-design and implement strategic communication plans, in partnership with the Comms team, to advance awareness of issues and policy reforms necessary
• Develop and maintain robust and multi-year monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans that help advance the work of the team

Team Leadership and Management

• Recruit, supervise, coach, and develop direct reports
• Maintain accountability for portfolio, team, and individual goals, including by identifying risks, challenges, and opportunities, and coach team members towards impact
• Provide routine guidance, set clear expectations to help maintain and foster a positive work environment, and delegate effectively to team members. Provide clear instruction and guidance while balancing opportunities for team members to manage their own performance and portfolios
• Provide guidance and mentorship, including through the identification of opportunities for learning and professional development
• Participate in and lead the policy and advocacy team’s preparation for and involvement in key internal processes such as: quarterly reporting and reviews; Board meetings; and annual priority and budget-setting processes
• Ensure and coordinate the best use of management, technical, and support resources and provide forecasting of capacity, workloads, and resource needs
• Identify, contract with, and manage the performance of consultants as required
• Provide advice and support on general management issues
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements:

Required

Education and Experience Level

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in public policy, government relations, stakeholder engagement gained through a range of public sector and/or non-government experience
• Master’s degree in a relevant field or an appropriate equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5 years of management and leadership experience, including managing teams and budgets

Skills, Knowledge, Experience

• Demonstrated work experience and subject matter expertise in social and economic inclusion of immigrants, refugees and international students
• Demonstrated success in leading system change work and driving policy reforms
• Strong applied knowledge and experience in influencing and advocacy with a range of decision-makers at national, provincial, and local levels; excellent track record of building and maintaining strategic relationships and successfully engaging policymakers and key stakeholders towards a desired goal or outcome
• Demonstrated ability to solicit and incorporate internal and external stakeholder input and feedback
• Strong strategic thinking, planning, and analytical skills.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Strong project management skills and the capacity to manage multiple tasks and projects at once
• Strong proficiency in MS Office; experience with Salesforce is a plus
• Ability to work on a diverse team and with a diverse range of partners
• Comfort with working in ambiguous and entrepreneurial environments
• Ability to build strong relationships and work with individuals at all levels of the organization
• Ability to navigate challenging or uncertain situations to meet goals and objectives and thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment
• Have a demonstrated commitment to empowering immigrants, refugees and international students, be excited about WES’ mission, the team’s portfolio areas, and advancing equity, inclusion, and diversity
• Thrive in the dynamic nature of policy advocacy work and have an entrepreneurial mindset to spot and leverage opportunities as they arise both externally and internally and to generate new approaches to advancing our agenda
• Be comfortable with risk and failure as a natural part of long-term change processes; have a high degree of comfort with rapidly changing ambiguous contexts and an ability to help craft a clear path forward in these environments
• Understand the intersections between policy, programs and practice
• Have a deep-rooted intellectual curiosity and an openness to diverse ideas and perspectives
• Thrive an environment that values transparency, collaboration, and a learning orientation
• Bring a “can-do” attitude and have a willingness to stretch up and down in their role as needs evolve
• Be able to work collaboratively with people of different backgrounds, experiences, communication styles, and cultures
• Communicate efficiently, effectively, and diplomatically with intention to drive action and with compassion and understanding
• Be adept at building formal and informal working relationships, quickly establishing credibility in new areas of work, and mobilizing people at all levels towards collaborative goals

Desired

• Functionally bilingual in English and French

Our Commitment:

World Education Services is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the rich tapestry of our communities, both in the US and Canada. This commitment is underscored by our unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. This commitment extends to every aspect of employment, from recruitment and hiring to promotions, training, and benefits. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. For us, diversity goes beyond compliance – it's about embracing unique perspectives and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

If you require assistance and/or accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please contact us at hiring@wes.org, we're here to support you. Our Talent Acquisition team is happy to work with you to find solutions that meet your needs.

For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org