Job Posting: Decent Work and Health Network Organizer

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The Decent Work and Health Network (DWHN) is a network of health workers organizing for improved working conditions as a means to improve individual and community health. Currently, we are advancing campaigns to win healthcare for all, status for all, and decent work for all in partnership with the Workers’ Action Centre (WAC), Justice for Workers (J4W) campaign, and Migrant Workers’ Alliance for Change (MWAC). We strive to do organizing work that is equity-driven and addresses structural racism, including anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, in the workplace and health system. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Decent Work and Health Network Organizer will support and advance our public campaign for decent work as a health issue, with a focus on building organizing skills and leadership of existing members and recruiting new health workers into the campaign. This will include outreach to health workers and facilitating their participation in the campaign; planning and facilitating meetings, events, and workshops; and developing written content from blog posts and newsletters to factsheets and policy submissions. The Organizer will also support the development of messaging and implementation of political education across the network.

This position works directly with the DWHN Coordinator. This position works full-time out of our office at 720 Spadina Avenue in Toronto, which is a collaborative and inclusive shared space with other decent work organizations. The Organizer reports to their supervisor at the Ontario Employment Education and Research Centre (OEERC), the organization that funds and supports the direction of the network. 

SUMMARY OF WORK AREAS:

Campaigning:

• Support the development of long-term and short-term campaign strategy in collaboration with our partners.
• Respond to political moments by crafting key messaging for members and clarifying priorities.
• Spokesperson for the DWHN at meetings, events, and in the media, as appropriate. 

Base building and organizing:

• Plan actions and activities that build the leadership of existing members and support them to work in collaboration with community organizers.
• Map and design strategies to recruit new members into the network, including through use of our digital database and advocacy tools.
• Execute a consistent follow-up plan that may include, but is not limited to, texting, emailing, and having one-on-one conversations either on phone or in-person.

Communications: 

• Effectively use communication channels, such as email newsletters, and the website, to advance campaigns and build the network.
• Use social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, to advance organizing and campaign goals.
• Assist with implementation of a media strategy, including preparing key messages, press releases and press conferences.

Government relations and policy

• Track employment policy developments and health research that can advance our campaigns.
• Create factsheets and leaflets that disseminate information in accessible language with the purpose of supporting on the ground community organizing.
• Support participation in policy consultations and draft letters and submissions to policy makers.

Alliance building: 

• Work with community organizations, health centers, unions, and other partners across the health and labour sectors to build support for our campaigns.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with community organizing and advocacy, including planning and executing campaigns.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and conduct outreach to build the network and support leadership development.
• Experience with organizing and executing meetings and workshops, including for large audiences.
• Excellent English-language writing (in different formats, e.g. campaign materials, reports, opinion pieces) and presentation skills with clear and open communication abilities. 
• Demonstrated ability to use social media, design tools and digital advocacy tools, such as NationBuilder, New Mode and Canva, for campaigns. 
• Proficient in Google Workspace, including Google Drive and Gmail. 
• Strong organization skills and reliability, including prioritization of workload and timely completion of tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team that takes political direction from community partners and workers with lived experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and anti-oppression.
• Knowledge of decent work, social determinants of health and equity issues, and/or experience working in the health sector is an asset.
• Ability to drive is an asset.

Evening and weekend work is a requirement of the job. Ability to work flexible hours essential. 

Start date: May 1, 2024 or as determined with the successful candidate

Salary range: $58,605 - $70,599 based on prior experience 

Benefits: Employer-paid benefits package and RRSP contribution 

This position is funded until December 2025. Funding will be sought to continue this position, but is not guaranteed. 

We encourage applications from Black people, Indigenous people, people of colour, women, people who identify with disability, LGBTQ+ people and people from other equity-seeking groups that face systemic discrimination. 

The DWHN project is supported by the Ontario Employment Education & Research Centre (OEERC). The OEERC and DWHN are committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace, and a working environment free from all forms of discrimination, harassment and violence. We are committed to understanding how racism, sexism and other forms of oppression result in poor working conditions and health, and are committed to the ongoing work of challenging these oppressions in our work and community. 

Submit a cover letter and resume by email to [email protected] by April 10, 2024. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.