Food banks and community food centres

Position Title: Agency Relations Manager
Organization: North York Harvest Food Bank
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Department: Community Engagement
Reports to: Director of Community Engagement
Direct Reports: 2

Organizational Profile:

Since 1985, North York Harvest Food Bank has been the primary food bank in northern Toronto. Last year, we distributed over 3 million pounds of food through our 35 member agencies, running over 70 community programs.

An independent, charitable organization, we envision a community where all members are able to meet their food needs. Our mission is to engage our community in meeting the food needs of northern Toronto by providing dignified food assistance, education, focused advocacy, and long-term food solutions. We believe in access and inclusion, collaboration, integrity, and excellence.

Position Summary:

The Manager of Agency Relations will lead North York Harvest’s (NYH) efforts to foster a resilient and coordinated network of Partner Agencies that provides client-centred food support and is built on trusted relationships. They will work to amplify these impacts through wrap-around programming and partnerships.

They will oversee and supervise two team members, who provide support, training, and direct assistance to our Partner Agencies. They will also facilitate opportunities for Partner Agencies to participate in decision-making at NYH, and work closely with Partner Agencies to develop strategies and execute plans that respond to agency and network needs.

Hours:

37.5 hours per week.

Compensation:

Salary range is $66,269 - $77,964 per year, plus comprehensive extended Health and Dental Benefits (after 3 months), defined benefit pension, and three weeks paid vacation.

Key Responsibilities + Duties:

• Managing NYH’s efforts to support and strengthen our Partner Agency network to best support community members across northern Toronto, and ensuring those relationships are grounded in trust and respect
• Overseeing, mentoring, and managing a team of two staff members
• Managing a program budget
• Developing policies, procedures, and strategies that best support Partner Agencies, are client-centred, and align with our Theory of Change
• Overseeing the planning and execution of three Partner Agency training days/mini-conferences per year, and facilitating three to four Partner Agency Council meetings
• Supporting the collection and analysis of data for research and reporting purposes, and monitoring trends across NYH programs and Partner Agencies to ensure the organization can respond appropriately to network needs
• Providing updates to NYH’s Leadership Team and playing an active role as part of the Management Circle
• Collaborating across departments, particularly with the Advocacy and Programs Teams, on joint initiatives
• Fielding and responding to concerns and complaints from Partner Agencies or community members accessing supports from the NYH Network
• Maintaining and growing existing partnerships and fostering new cross-sectoral relationships that support collective goals
• Representing NYH at neighbourhood councils and committees where relevant
• Staying informed about issues and trends related to food security, poverty, and policy that may impact the network and client base
• Actively contributing to a supportive and inclusive team that works together efficiently, effectively, and respectfully, and performing other duties as assigned

Qualifications: Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong leadership, organizational, and time management skills
• Effective communication, interpersonal, and partnership-building abilities
• Experience managing staff or volunteers
• Experience working with diverse communities and in social services or community-based programming
• Experience working with programs that serve people with low incomes (asset)
• Knowledge of poverty, food security issues, social services in Toronto, and anti-oppression principles
• Frontline social service experience and familiarity with northern Toronto (assets)
• Ability to exercise good judgment, problem-solve, adapt to changing needs, and de-escalate difficult situations
• Proficiency with computer tools (Link2Feed, MS Office, Excel, Google Apps, Canva, Gmail, data entry, internet)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments and with volunteers
• Additional language abilities (asset)
• Knowledge of safe food handling practices (asset)

Education:

• Equivalent combination of post-secondary education in a relevant field, and/or relevant on-the-job experience

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a related role, and 1+ year(s) experience managing staff or volunteers.

Working Environment and Conditions:

• The position is full-time
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Physical environment: Typical office and typical office equipment; and work in multiple office and community settings, in shared space and artificial lighting
• The Agency Relations Manager will work onsite at NYH’s main location (116 Industry Street), the position has the opportunity for a work-from-home component.
• Occasional travel to offsite Partner locations is also required as part of supporting these relationships

• To be able to work remotely, the incumbent must have access to a stable internet connection

Physical and Sensory Demands:

• Extended periods of desk work
• Standing during public events and program activities
• Engaging in repetitive and/or precise hand/finger movements
• Strong attention to detail
• Bending and twisting as needed
• Proficient operation of various equipment, including computers and office devices (e.g., photocopier, telephony, etc.)
• Exposure to household products and various scents may be encountered in the workplace.

All interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Sarah Watson, Director of Community Engagement at sarah@northyorkharvest.com by Friday, October 3rd. Please include “Agency Relations Manager application” in the subject line. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.

NYHFB is committed to employment equity and encourages applicants from equity-seeking/equity-deserving groups. We recognize that lived experience is as valuable as formal education and as such encourage members of the NYHFB community to apply (employees, volunteers, community partners, and/or clients). We strive for a workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and in which we live.

NYHFB has an accommodation process in place. Applicants requiring accommodation because of a disability or medical need are asked to make their needs known in advance. Information received related to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.

We welcome all applicants; however only those invited for an interview will be contacted.