Jobline: Communications Coordinator, Feed Nova Scotia
Who are we?
Food is not the solution to food insecurity, but people need support today. Knowing this, we
collect and distribute more than three million kilograms of food annually to 140 member food
banks, meal programs, and shelters across the province. This equates to over $1 million worth of
food each month. We also support our member agencies as they build capacity to serve their
communities.
While we help Nova Scotians meet a very basic need, we're raising awareness of the root causes of food insecurity - things like systemic racism, low wages, inadequate income support, and unaffordable housing. And we're advocating for sustainable, policy-based solutions that will allow everyone to live a life of dignity and leave no one relying on charitable band-aids to address human rights.
What is a Communications Coordinator?
The Communications Coordinator creates high-quality, strategic, and engaging written content to
support a broad range of communication objectives across the organization. Largely, these
objectives include raising awareness and understanding of the prevalence, root causes, and impact
of food insecurity; advocating for long-term, policy-based solutions; securing food and financial
support from donors; and supporting volunteer engagement activities.
This is a new position, reporting to the Communications Manager, as part of the overall
Development and Communications team. The timing of this new position aligns with the need to
increase organizational capacity. Early in 2020, just before the pandemic, our Board of Directors
identified two strategic goals to complement our existing work, that focus on exploring innovative
responses to food insecurity and influencing social policy to address the root causes. It’s been a
whirlwind journey, as we work toward these goals, and we’ve only just scratched the surface. As
we look to deepen our impact and maintain the trust and support of those who make our work
possible, a strong communications program, rooted in exceptional writing strength, is paramount.
What does a Communications Coordinator do?
• Develops key messages and compelling written content for a variety of audiences and channels,
including but not limited to news releases, op-eds, website, social media, advertisements,
donor solicitation and thank you letters, donor impact reports, promotional materials, radio
and video scripts, blogs, reports, and presentations
• Collaborates with members of the Development and Communications team, other
departments, and occasionally member agencies, around strategy and idea generation to
support the advancement of organizational goals (e.g., awareness, advocacy, and fundraising)
• Together with the Communications Manager, ensures a consistent brand voice and tone across
all organizational communications
• Develops key messages and talking points to prepare organizational spokespeople for media
interviews
• Edits written materials developed by internal colleagues when intended for external audiences
• Seeks out and pitches to Communications team members, stories and content ideas
• Gathers background materials and conducts phone and in-person interviews with colleagues,
volunteers, member agencies, and first-voice community members to inform content
development
• Drafts timelines and production schedules for larger writing assignments and projects that
involve multiple components, such as videos and annual report to our community
• Liaises with printing companies, as needed, to obtain print quotes and proofs
• Updates website content and prepares email campaigns through our email management
system
• Seeks out and maintains an awareness of issues relating to food insecurity
What are we looking for?
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in public relations, journalism, communications, or a related
field
• 1-3 years of experience in a writing role; a combination of education and experience may be
considered as an equivalent
• Exceptional writer with proven ability to quickly and consistently produce compelling written
materials for defined audiences and established communication objectives
• Works collaboratively with internal colleagues and external parties to achieve organizational
goals; seeks organizational input and engagement by valuing others’ ideas and expertise
• Creative and strategic mindset
• Facilitates ongoing and open communication with staff and volunteers through email, phone,
and in-person conversations
• Able to multi-task and work in an environment with tight deadlines, shifting priorities, and
multiple distractions in an open concept workspace
• Appreciates the unique communication challenges that can arise when raising food and funds
while advocating for policy-based solutions to food insecurity; experience in this regard is
considered an asset, as is a strong understanding of issues relating to food insecurity
• Curiosity for continuous learning and development
• Centres equity, diversity, and inclusion in their work
• High level of integrity, discretion, and respect for privacy and confidentiality standards
• Proficiency in MS Office with expertise in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Outlook required
Compensation
The pay range for this position is $48,155 - $56,653 annually, paid out on a biweekly basis. Our
total compensation package includes three weeks of paid vacation, group insurance (after 3
months) and an employer-contributed group RRSP (after 6 months). To support a healthy work/life
balance, flexible work arrangements are available, within the confines of the role.
Application Instructions
If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to make an impact in your community, please
submit your application in one PDF document to: recruitment@feednovascotia.ca by 11:59 pm on
Thursday, October 6, 2022. For your application to be considered, please ensure that it includes the
following:
• Cover letter introducing yourself, focusing on your interest in and alignment with the role
• Resume that clearly indicates how you meet the requirements of this position
• Three samples of previous written work, which you feel best demonstrate your strengths as
a writer, in relation to the requirements of this position. Including links to writing samples
online is also acceptable
When submitting your application via email, please include Communications Coordinator in the
subject line to help us action your application more efficiently.
Summary
There is no such thing as the perfect candidate. If you don’t meet all the requirements, we
encourage you to apply and share your story with us; what do you bring to the table that others
may not? We aren’t looking to hire someone who ‘checks all the boxes. We want someone who is
passionate about our mission, who has the potential to do great work with the right tools and
resources, and who is willing and ready to learn alongside our team as we work towards making
positive, sustainable change in our community.
For us to create meaningful, sustainable change, equity, diversity, and inclusion must be
centred in every aspect of our work. As a provincial organization with influence and
credibility, we recognize the responsibility we have to hold ourselves accountable to this. We
know our efforts will affect more change if our employees, their identities, and their lived
experiences are reflective of the communities we work with and live in.
Through ongoing work that empowers everyone to bring their full, authentic selves to Feed
Nova Scotia every day, we want to build a culture where difference is valued. We know where
we want to be, but we’ll be honest—we aren’t there yet, and we won’t get there overnight.
But we’re committed to doing the work, and we hope you’ll join us on our journey and share
your strengths as a member of our team.
If you require any accommodations to submit your application successfully, please contact our
recruitment team via email at recruitment@feednovascotia.ca or by phone at 902-457-1900. Thank
you for your interest in working with us at Feed Nova Scotia!
