Coordinator Position
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba (in Winnipeg)
Full time (35 hours/week) September 2017 – April 30, 2018
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Manitoba office (CCPA MB) is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates. CCPA has a national office in Ottawa, and provincial offices in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, as well as Manitoba.
The Coordinator will take over projects, communications and fundraising done by the CCPA MB Director while on parental leave. The Coordinator will report to the acting CCPA MB Director.
Responsibilities:
Coordination
- Project management of key projects such as the State of the Inner City Report and other community-based research reports
- Represent CCPA MB at the Make Poverty History Manitoba committee and coordinate publication of upcoming MPHM community-based report to end poverty in Winnipeg
- Develop major speaking event for Spring 2017 with event producer
- Represent CCPA MB at relevant community groups and with key stakeholders, support related priority activities as a community-based research hub in consultation with the CCPA MB Director
Publications and Communications
- Receive submissions for publication and review with CCPA MB Director. Copy edit reports and commentary for publication.
- Work with Knowledge Translation and Communications Coordinator for publication and dissemination of key Manitoba Research Alliance publications
- Non-MRA-funded reports: develop communications plan with report authors and stakeholders. Draft and finalize press releases and oversee key messages and social media roll out.
Fundraising and relations with funders
- Work with CCPA MB Supporter Development Committee and Errol Black Chair in Fundraising Committee to implement fundraising plans
- Support Office Manager with logistics for CCPA MB events and fundraisers
- Develop and finalize content for annual mailings, with support of Office Manager
- Ensure funding reports and letters are sent to relevant funders
Skills
- Dedication to advancing social, economic and environmental justice using community-based approaches
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Strong communications skills: editorial, press releases, social media and verbal
- Experience with communications: developing key messages, drafting press releases and media relations
- Understanding of community-based research and policy-oriented research and commentary
- Understanding of the local social justice community, including its key players and dynamics
- Conflict mediation skills and good community relations. Ability to work cooperatively in a small office environment
- Ability to work independently as well as take direction from others
- Computer skills: Microsoft Office Suite and social media (Twitter & Facebook).
Training
- Post-secondary degree in social sciences coupled with training in communications
- Training in fundraising, project management, anti-oppression and conflict mediation an asset
This is a full time position at $1,072/ week for 32 weeks. Benefits available after a 3-month probation period. This is a unionized position.
Applications can be sent to ccpamb@policyalternatives.ca by Monday August 28th at 9 am. Please send a PDF of your CV/Resume and cover letter in an email with the subject heading “Coordinator application – (your name)”.
CCPA Manitoba is committed to equity hiring. Qualified individuals who identify as Indigenous, racialized, as a person with a disability, GLBTTQ* are encouraged to apply.
Thank you to all who apply. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Knowledge Translation & Communications Coordinator – Job Posting
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba Office
Part Time until Feb 2019
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Manitoba office (CCPA – MB) is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates. CCPA has a national office in Ottawa, and provincial offices in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, as well as Manitoba. The Manitoba office is the lead for the Manitoba Research Alliance, currently concluding a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grant “Partnering for Change: Community-based Solutions for Aboriginal and Inner City Poverty”.
The Manitoba Research Alliance is a group of academic researchers and community and government partners. Our work is interdisciplinary, widely accessible and facilitates the multi-directional flow of knowledge. Our genuine partnerships have given us unique community access and enabled an original contribution to an understanding of the complex problems of poverty and social exclusion and a clear understanding of our next steps.
The Knowledge Translation & Communications Coordinator is a new part time position created to communicate research results to decision makers and key audiences. The position reports directly to the CCPA- MB Director. They are responsible for delivering key KT projects for the CCPA Manitoba and the Manitoba Research Alliance.
Roles and responsibilities:
Develop Knowledge Translation (KT) & Communications Plan
- Develop KT Plan based on MRA and CCPA Manitoba research
- Identifies key projects for KT Plans based on maximum potential impact related to KT approaches
- Develops overall plan and plan specific to key reports
Newsletter
- Editor of KT newsletter based on key MRA and CCPA Mb reports for policy-makers, community-based organizations and allied groups
- Summarizes key reports in plain or populist language
- Makes this “user-friendly” via inclusion of photographs etc.
- Oversees layout & distribution of two newsletters
Media & Social Media for key report launches
- Develops media release plan with report authors
- Writes press releases for reviews, targets key media for coverage
- Works with report authors to identify key messages that can be conveyed over social media
- Develops infographics, memes and other easy-to-use materials in consultation with report authors
- Work with authors on short videos of research, where resources available
Public Engagement Events
- Organizes KT public engagement events with community partners
- Ensures events are accessible to public and well facilitated
Meetings with Public Policy Decision-makers
- Works with report authors to identify which public policy decision makers are a priority to engage with on research results
- Liaises to set up these meetings, helps authors prepare and follow up
Evaluation
- Tracking and evaluation of activities listed above
Experience and Skills required:
Knowledge Translation & Communication Skills
- Proven ability to do media relations and publicity, including developing key messages, writing press releases and strategically engaging with media for maximum impact
- Understanding of public policy frameworks and protocols when interacting with decision-makers to share research results
- Basic understanding of community-based research methodologies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to interact with researchers, public and media in a friendly and competent manner
- Post-secondary degree in political science, urban studies, economics, sociology or criminology an asset.
- Degree or training in communications/ knowledge translation.
Computer Skills
- Microsoft office suite
- InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator
- Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
- Basic video recording and editing skills
Bookkeeping and Administration:
- General financial record keeping
- Tracking outputs and outcomes for evaluation
General
- Ability to work cooperatively in a small office environment
- Strong time management and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently as well as take direction from others
- Dedication to social and economic justice with an interest in ending poverty and social exclusion.
- Knowledge of community-based organizations in Manitoba
- Good community relations and conflict mediation skills
- Training in, and/ or awareness of anti-oppression practices
This is a part-time positon for 21 months at $26.50/ hour for 16 hours/ week.
Applications can be sent to ccpamb@policyalternatives.ca by Monday August 28th at 9 am. Please send a PDF of your CV/ Resume and cover letter in an email with the subject heading “KT & Communications application – (your name)”.
In April of 2017, it was announced that there would be dramatic changes in the way that healthcare would be delivered in Manitoba. One of the biggest users of the healthcare system are marginalized populations who live in poverty especially persons with disabilities and seniors. The changes that were announced include the closures of Seven Oaks, Concordia, Victoria Hospital emergency rooms and Misericordia urgent care centre in Winnipeg. With plans for the Seven Oaks and Victoria Hospital emergency rooms to be converted into urgent care centres. As a person with a disability and Elmwood resident, I immediately had concerns regarding how this short-sighted decision will have a detrimental impact on marginalized communities in North East Winnipeg. In my area people living in poverty which includes persons with disabilities face many barriers when it comes to accessing healthcare. The changes announced further complicate the barriers to the medical system that people living in poverty and with disabilities encounter on a daily basis.
As a resident of Northeast Winnipeg, the closure of the Concordia Hospital emergency room will have a detrimental effect on my community even more so for seniors and persons with disabilities. A disproportionate number of persons with disabilities and seniors live in poverty who struggle to afford things such as food, rent and transportation which are critical for daily survival. The closet options for my community will be to access the urgent care centre at Seven Oaks Hospital and the emergency rooms at the Health Sciences Centre, St. Boniface hospital or the Grace Hospital which would take anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour from Northeast Winnipeg. As the boundaries of my community include the Canadian National main rail line at the south and the Red River to the West getting to these options can be extremely difficult especially in rush hour which can delay a person’s commute time.
Handi-Transit users suffer even more especially due to the regulations which stipulate that transportation must be arranged 24 hours before their scheduled appointment. In the evenings, especially late at night when the Handi-transit call centre (call center closes at 10:00 pm) is closed it would be very difficult arrange accessible transportation in the middle of the night especially during an Emergency. Persons living in poverty struggle to find the financial resources to afford the bus especially when someone needs medical attention and is forced to go to either a hospital emergency room or an urgent care centre outside of our area.
It is quite clear that the most vulnerable populations in our society will be detrimentally impacted by the changes announced to the delivery of healthcare within Manitoba and Winnipeg.
Carlos Sosa is a disability rights activist in Winnipeg
Award-winning journalist to share “Stories of Democracy, Resistance and Hope”
Amy Goodman
Friday September 29, 2017
Doors 7:00 pm; Program 8:00 pm
Knox United Church
400 Edmonton Stre
Wheelchair accessible
WINNIPEG — The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Manitoba (CCPA-MB) welcomes award-winning journalist and host of Democracy Now!, Amy Goodman, to Winnipeg for a community speaking engagement Friday, September 29, 2017 at Knox United Church (400 Edmonton St. | Doors: 7PM • Program: 8PM).
Entitled “Stories of Democracy, Resistance and Hope,” Amy Goodman’s evening talk will illuminate and recount her personal experiences as a journalist and organizer with citizen/grassroots-based movements — these, whom daily confront and resist repressive governments and regimes in support of social, economic and climate justice. For example, Goodman has been on the ground covering stories of police brutality and racial profiling in Ferguson Missouri, the Occupy Wall Street protests and the East Timor massacre in 1991. In 2016, Goodman was arrested while covering protests of the Dakota Access pipeline at Standing Rock, North Dakota. The charges, which were condemned by the Committee to Protect Journalists, were ultimately dismissed.
Amy Goodman is an American broadcast journalist, syndicated columnist, investigative reporter and author of six books. Since 1996, Goodman has hosted Democracy Now!: a daily, independent, award-winning news program broadcast on public radio, satellite television across the world. Goodman is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gandhi Peace Award for “a significant contribution to the promotion of enduring international peace,” the 1998 George Polk Award (with Jeremy Scahill) for investigative reporting on Chevron’s role in Nigeria’s dictatorship, and the 1993 Robert F Kennedy Prize for International Reporting (with Allan Nairn) for coverage of the East Timor independence movement and Santa Cruz Massacre.
Amy Goodman, David Goodman and Denis Moynihan recently published “Democracy Now!: 20 Years Covering the Movements Changing America”. This New York Times Bestseller will be available for sale at the event.
Ticket information:
General admission: $20 (amygoodmanwpg.eventbrite.ca; policyfix.ca, McNally Robinson Booksellers, University of Manitoba Answers and University of Winnipeg Info Booth.
Ticket and post-talk reception with Amy Goodman $100 (includes $50 tax deductible receipt from CCPA)
Limited number of reduced rate tickets are available for those whom which cost is a barrier. Please call 204-927-3209 for availability.
Thank you to our event sponsors:
CKUW 95.9FM, Fernwood Publishing, Rabble.ca, 101.5 UMFM and the University of Winnipeg.
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For more information or media requests regarding the event please contact Molly McCracken, Director of CCPA Manitoba at 204.927.3200.
Presentation by Dr. John Loxley
Thursday August 31
Doors open at 11:30
Presentation, Q & A 12:00 – 1:15
Millennium Library
RSVP to ccpamb@policyalternatives.ca or call 204-927-3200
First published in the Winnipeg Free Press Friday July 14, 2017
By Lynne Fernandez and Ian Hudson
In March of 2017, the Premier claimed that for every one per cent the province lowered (or didn’t raise) wages for 120,000 provincial public sector workers, it would save $100 million. This simple calculation provides grist for Bill 28, The Public Services Sustainability Act which mandates all those who employ provincial public sector workers to hold future increases to zero per cent for the first two years of a new contract, no more than 0.75 per cent for the third year, and no more than 1.0 per cent for the fourth. Read More
By Lynne Fernandez
Notwithstanding stable economic growth and consistently low unemployment, poverty remains a problem in Manitoba. In 2014, 11 per cent of Manitobans lived in low income. That’s down from 11.8 per cent in 2011, however child poverty continues to be stubbornly high, with the 2014 rate at 16.2 per cent. Read More
Winnipeg: The most recent living wage for Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson will be released on Thursday June 29th at 12:00 at the Social Enterprise Centre, second floor 765 Main St. by economist Lynne Fernandez.
The Living Wage is a regional calculation based the amount that a family of four needs to earn to meet basic expenses. The living wage is based on the local cost of rent, groceries, transportation, child care and extended health care. It does not include debt repayment, pension or long term savings.
A living wage addresses child poverty and is an opportunity for employers to do better than pay the legislated minimum wage. The living wage takes into account government transfers and demonstrates how public policy in areas like housing and child care can positively impacts families.
The living wage calculation is a standard calculation used by the offices of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
The most recent update in 2013 found the living wage for Winnipeg as $14.07/ hour, Brandon as $13.41/ hour and Thompson as $13.46/ hour. Join us this Thursday at 12:00 noon to learn how much it has increased.
Directions to the Social Enterprise Centre, 765 Main St.
http://www.secwpg.com/contact/
Join us at noon on Thursday June 29th at the Social Enterprise Centre at 765 Main St for the Living Wage Report for Manitoba.
12:00 – 1 pm
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