EMPLOYMENT NOTICE
Manager, Community Engagement – Food Systems Program

The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is a provincial organization established for the purpose of improving the health outcomes of Indigenous people by supporting and encouraging physically active individuals, families, and communities. The programs and services delivered by I·SPARC are designed to build capacity and increase access to sport, recreation, and physical activity in First Nations, Aboriginal Friendship Centres, Métis Chartered Communities, schools, and other delivery agencies throughout British Columbia.

Introduction to the Food Systems Program

The Food Systems Program (FSP) started in 2009 under the name First Nations Food Systems as part of B.C.’s Access to Produce in Rural and Remote Communities initiative, previously funded by the Ministry of Health and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2014, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) took over funding of the Program and it was administered by the Heart & Stroke Foundation from 2009 to March of 2022.  In April 2022, the First Nations Health Authority transferred the Food Systems Program (FSP) to I·SPARC. I·SPARC is pleased to implement the FSP within its Healthy Living programming.

The FSP has provided communities with seed funding as well as in-community planning and technical support for small-scale agriculture projects. It has grown from 17 to over 70 B.C. First Nations communities, driven by community demand to improve access to fresh vegetables and fruit and, through that, improved food security. The FSP has since expanded its scope, now moving toward an Indigenous-led model. With FSP’s transition to I·SPARC, there is opportunity to continue evolving the program to deepen alignment with community needs and incorporate more traditional and Indigenous-led approaches to food, food security, community engagement, ceremony, and respect for the lands.

General Description
The Manager, Community Engagement is primarily responsible for identifying and supporting the realization of gathering and knowledge-sharing opportunities for participating communities. The position will report to the Senior Manager and will work closely with the Program Manager and Director of Healthy Living to ensure program success for all communities involved. The work will be approached through an Indigenous lens and continue to support evolution of the program in terms of services offered, program partnerships, scope of community engagement, the number and range of communities involved in the longer term.

The FSP is in an exciting phase moving into its first year of delivery by an Indigenous-led organization. Community-level connections through granting, gatherings, and partnerships will continue to evolve—embracing traditional foods, unique cultural knowledge, mental, physical, and spiritual health and well-being, as well as educational opportunities for knowledge sharing and community collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist the leadership team with compiling and preparing any program-related reporting activities, including produce monthly Engagement-related reports;
  • Manage and support evaluation mechanisms related to engagement activities;
  • Support liaison with other I·SPARC programs to identify ways to link engagement opportunities;
  • Draw on traditional food specialists and knowledge keepers to ground and guide the work;
  • Represent FSP and act as secondary point of contact for any external community or Advisory Committee engagement.
  • Work with communities to identify points of convergence within each community;
  • Work with communities to implement opportunities for networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing on food and health; and
  • Drawing on communities’ desire, organize multi-community workshops and knowledge-sharing events gatherings as necessary.

Education and Knowledge

  • Degree or equivalent in Public Administration, or some other discipline directly related in addition to at least three (3) years’ management experience; OR,
  • Degree or equivalent in Indigenous Health, Land and Food Systems, Indigenous Studies, Food and Resource Economics or related combined with three (3) or more years’ experience in the provision of program leadership; OR,
  • An equivalent combination of education, experience, and training may be considered; and
  • A minimum of three (3) years or more of experience establishing collaborative relationships with community leaders, elders, and senior management teams;
  • A lived understanding and/or experience with Indigenous communities, history, values and culture;
  • Knowledge and understanding of social determinants of health and its connections to Indigenous health and food systems, cultures and backgrounds;
  • Has led work that honours, respects, and supports the self-determination of Indigenous communities; and
  • Has successfully completed a criminal and vulnerable sector records check.

Term: This is a full-time staff position.

Salary: The salary range is $58,000-$63,000 annually, which includes a comprehensive health benefits package.

Location: Office space will be established in a British Columbia location central to the successful candidate. Flexibility in work location with an ability to travel throughout the province to events/forums.

To Apply: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references (name, title, relationship, and contact info) to the attention of Robynne Edgar, Director of Healthy Living at: redgar@isparc.ca

All applications are appreciated, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Pursuant to section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to qualified applicants of Indigenous ancestry