Food Security Specialist - Sooke, Canada - 859185803 RR 0001

Description

Food Security Specialist

Sooke Region Communities Health Network (SRCHN) is a community-based social cooperative that cares about the needs of its members and the quality of life in the communities of its members.

SRCHN is committed to serve the common needs of the community, from Port Renfrew to Beecher Bay, through fiscally responsible service delivery.

Description

Local social services partners have joined together in a Sooke Region Food Security Working Group to address immediate and long-term food insecurity issues identified in the Sooke Region Food Security Report and through increasing gaps.

This group is looking for a Food Security Specialist to advise on how to address immediate food needs and to help find sustainable viable solutions for the region for the future, in an environment where existing social services agencies are already stretched.

Key areas are community development, service coordination, logístical framework expansion and relationship development. The contractor should be able to work independently on initiatives, with the guidance of the working group. The contract will be from September 2023 until June 2024.

The Sooke Region Food Security report may be found here:

Responsibilities

• Establish logístical networks to get food that has been rescued on Southern Vancouver Island to the Sooke Region and distribute it to the various food service providers in a more efficient and cohesive manner.
• Streamline existing food allocation services through coordination, so that there is regular, timely and increased access for those in need within the relevant communities.
• Increasing capacity and efficiency of existing programming, and where needed encourage agencies to fill in gaps without adding extra burden to social services staffing.
• Coordinate with regional farmers and community gardens with regards to local food distribution arrangements.
• Create viable partnerships within and outside of the Sooke Region.
• Facilitation of food distribution from existing and upcoming community food gardens and private gardens.
• Arrange with local food safe kitchens to provide access to their facilities for community initiatives and social enterprises on an ongoing basis.
• Provide guidance around social enterprise initiatives related to food security, including food preservation/preparation/distribution and sales through community food safe kitchens.
• Create and run information campaigns for public awareness around services.
• Identify and seek funding opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• A master's degree or some training in research methods is preferable. Background in Public Health, Political Science, Food Systems, and/or the charitable food sector would be a benefit.
• Minimum of three years recent relevant experience (including experience with program evaluation), with a focus on facilitating integrated approaches to community food/economic development and wellbeing.
• Experience coordinating programs and services within the charitable food sector
• Understanding of dynamic local and global food systems
• Understanding of the roles played by local, provincial and national organizations in promoting and supporting food security connection to the local context is a large asset
• Ability to work independently and manage time efficiently
• Collaborative and respectful communication
• Professional writing experience
• Exceptional strength in fostering and developing partnerships and relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Completion of cultural safety and humility training and experience in working in partnership with Indigenous elders and communities is a benefit.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven conflict management skills at an individual and team level.
• Demonstrated analytical problem solving to develop strategic, progressive, creative, and innovative enterprisewide solutions.
• Strong facilitation, education and knowledge translation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of stakeholders internally and within the community utilizing a variety of communication methods. Integrates pertinent data, best practice and current research evidence to support professional practice decisions and actions.
• Ability to promote clientfocused care that demonstrates sensitivity to, and advocacy for diverse cultures and preferences, and social justice concerns.
• Implements activities to promote cooperation among the interdisciplinary team and collaborates across disciplines. Functional competence with MS Office suite and familiarity with a range of population, resource and library databases.
• Demonstrated data analysis skills including appropriate data analysis and reporting tools.
• Ability to operate other related equipment as required in the specific practice area.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position

Job Type:
Fixed term contract

Contract length: 10 months


Salary:
$60,000.00 per year

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