The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs

Job Title:                  Associate Director, Policy and Communications     

Reports to:               Senior Director, Pacific Region

Job Type:                   Full time, 2-year contract with the possibility for extension

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) builds and nurtures relationships with leaders in government, media, academia, civil society, and other faith and ethnic communities to ensure greater understanding of the issues that impact the Jewish community. CIJA combats antisemitism and discrimination in all its forms and advocates for fundamental rights and freedoms, social justice, and support for the people of Israel.

As the advocacy agent of the Jewish Federations of Canada, CIJA is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of Jewish life in Canada by advancing the public policy interests of Canada’s organized Jewish community.

CIJA connects the power of a strong, national network to regional efforts in every Canadian province and, as the Canadian affiliate of the World Jewish Congress, to international efforts worldwide.

Position Overview 

As an integral member of the CIJA Pacific Region team, the Associate Director, Policy and Communications will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating the development of CIJA’s policy priorities in the Pacific Region and contributing to related local communications efforts.

This fast-paced, goal-oriented opportunity requires excellent communications skills and experience in the field of politics and/or public policy in British Columbia.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Work closely with the Senior Director, CIJA Pacific Region, to develop and advance CIJA’s policy priorities in the region.
• Contribute to the preparation of written communications materials – including parliamentary testimony, backgrounders, opinion editorials, press releases, correspondence, and other products – to advance support for CIJA’s policy priorities. 
• Establish and maintain relationships with Think Tanks and other public policy organizations that affect CIJA’s public policy agenda (e.g. BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, the Union of BC Municipalities)
• Work in collaboration with the Government Relations, and the Communications teams.
• Conduct research in areas related to CIJA’s provincial policy priorities, as well as on other topics as warranted.
• Support CIJA’s provincial and municipal policy advocacy efforts, with research and writing as required.
• Conduct policy briefings for community activists and other stakeholders, as required.
• Support advocacy events like the CIJA Pacific Region Wine and Cheese of the Chanukkah Reception.
• Maintain and grow network of relevant contacts.
• Conduct policy briefings for community activists and other stakeholders, as required.
• Other assignments as deemed appropriate by supervisor.

Job Skills and Requirements  

This job is for you if you…

• Have experience in the field of politics and/or public policy.
• Have some knowledge of or interest in British Columbia politics and public policy, the Jewish community, Israel, and/or the Middle East.
• Love to write and can do so in a clear, compelling, and high-quality manner.
• Have the capacity to write quickly and meet tight deadlines.
• Are an excellent oral communicator with presentation experience.
• ​Have an undergraduate degree or higher.
• Are self-motivated and can work independently.
• You are proficient in MS Office, and have the ability to effectively learn and use additional systems, including client database software and cloud-based applications.
• You can work independently and as part of a team both with local and national staff members.
• Do not mind working flexible hours that include travel, evenings, and weekends as required.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to recruitment@cija.ca. This position will be based in CIJA’s Vancouver Office. Please note that applications will be considered as they are received. Salary commensurate with experience. Only candidates who are selected for interviews will be contacted.  

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs