Senior Media Advocacy Specialist – Policy & Communications
New Position

The Chiefs of Ontario is looking for a qualified and motivated individual for the new position of Senior Media Advocacy Specialist with the Policy & Communications Sector. Working under the supervision of the Policy & Communications Director and the Strategic Advocacy Manager, the Senior Media Advocacy Specialist Coordinator is expected to direct and produce advocacy materials on a wide range of First Nation issues including environment, justice, health, education, and culture. The successful candidate will also be expected to build partnerships with other organizations who share the same goals as the Chiefs of Ontario.

LOCATION: Hybrid or Remote, 468 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON

JOB PURPOSE:

  • Direct and produce Advocacy materials on a wide range of First Nation issues including environment, justice, health, education, and culture.
  • Conduct research in collaboration with Strategic Advocacy Manager to support advocacy initiatives and documentary projects.
  • Take a lead role across pre-production, production, and post-production for advocacy materials, including documentary and campaign media projects within the Chiefs of Ontario Policy and Communications Sector.
  • Create communications materials and support media outreach related to documentary projects, campaigns, and priority advocacy initiatives, in collaboration with the Communications unit.
  • Foster and support partnerships with media organizations, creatives, charities, universities, and other institutions to advance documentary, cultural, and advocacy-related initiatives for the Chiefs of Ontario.
  • Support advocacy efforts aimed at ensuring that government policy and legislation support First Nations artists, including reducing barriers to entry, improving access to grants, and addressing discrimination.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Campaign Development and Implementation

  • Participate in and provide feedback during major political advocacy campaigns.
  • Provide creative leadership for video production during, and in preparation for, major political advocacy campaigns with hands-on filming as appropriate.
  • Maintain a collaborative relationship with the Communications Unit, Government Relations Unit and the Strategic Advocacy Unit through regular meetings and updates.
  • Support the Communications Unit and Strategic Advocacy Unit on high-priority files and campaigns through media production expertise, including filmmaking and post-production support as appropriate.
  • Participate in regular briefings for the Ontario Regional Chief and Core Sector Directors to provide updates on relevant media, documentary, and advocacy-related initiatives.
  • Liaise and work collaboratively with First Nations Political Territorial Organizations, Grand Councils, Independent First Nations, and First Nations leadership as it relates to documentary, media, and advocacy initiatives.

Advocacy

Collaborate with Communications Unit, Government Relations Unit, Strategic Advocacy Unit and COO Secretariat Directors to identify, monitor and research current events relevant to documentary projects with a focus on First Nations issues and impacts to inherent, treaty, and constitutional rights.

  • Develop production budgets and timelines and work to ensure products are delivered on time and on budget and meet the needs of the organization.
  • Provide creative leadership across scripting, editing, sound, and visual design for documentary projects, with hands-on involvement or oversight as appropriate, in collaboration with the Communications and Strategic Advocacy units.
  • Build relationships and support the development of funding and partnership agreements with major cultural institutions, such as art galleries, museums, film studios, universities, and media outlets, to promote First Nations representation and opportunities for artists.
  • Network and build relationships with major event organizations (e.g., TIFF, imagineNATIVE) to support media, cultural, and advocacy initiatives.
  • Work with Communications Unit to develop relationships with First Nations artists, filmmakers, and musicians, with a focus on supporting opportunities to share their work through the Chiefs of Ontario.
  • Monitor and brief Leadership on relevant changes to federal and provincial cultural programs that support First Nation artists, including visual artists, filmmakers, and musicians with a focus on identifying opportunities and barriers.
  • Support student placements and experiential learning opportunities for First Nations students in visual art, filmmaking, and music, in collaboration with relevant units.

Candidates must be willing to work flexible hours during peak periods, such as assembly seasons and out-of-town meetings. Travel will also be necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Undergraduate degree, or relevant and adequate experience, in arts, film, or related areas.
  • Certification, or relevant experience and adequate, in film editing, sound design, graphic design, or related areas.
  • Minimum of five years of experience, preferably on First Nations-related projects.
  • Strong leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, excellent time management skills.
  • Knowledge of First Nations issues.

BENEFITS:

  • Negotiable Remote Work Arrangement
  • Two (2) Weeks Paid Time Off for December Holiday Break
  • Two (2) Weeks of Paid Vacation per Year, Progressively Increasing After Years of Service
  • Ten (10) Days of Sick Time per Year
  • Five (5) Days of Personal Time per Year
  • Employer Matched Pension
  • 100% Employer Paid Group Insurance, Including Extended Health Coverage, Dental, Short-/Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance

BASE SALARY: $70,000 – $90,000 per year, as determined by experience 

DURATION: ASAP – March 31st 2027 (Potential renewal contingent upon funding approval)

Send a cover letter, resume, and two (2) references marked confidential to:

Ashley Nardella, Human Resources: opportunities@coo.org

 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

All Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada.

Only successful Candidates will be contacted.

Download PDF for Job Posting here: Policy & Communications – Social Media Advocacy Specialist