Director, Outreach and Partnership

SeedChange is seeking a Director, Outreach and Partnership to lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive organizational positioning strategy. This holistic strategy will align with SeedChange’s priorities across Canadian and International programs, including fund development and engagement goals. As a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the successful candidate will collaborate with program teams on prospecting major gifts, proposal development, network engagement, communications, fundraising and strategic positioning.

The Director, Outreach and Partnership will work to increase SeedChange’s visibility, engage strategic audiences, including donors, government departments, prospective partners, and philanthropic funders to cultivate value-aligned program and partnership opportunities for greater impact.

SeedChange’s Mission: Through partnership, we work to enhance seed diversity, promote agro ecological food systems, and counter inequality.

Values / Guiding Principles:

• Seeds are Essential: Climate resilience, sustainable food systems, and equitable community development are all upheld by An equitable world sustained by just and resilient food systems is reliant on biodiversity of seeds, local seed knowledge and seed sovereignty.
• Partnership & Solidarity: We are invested in building equitable partnerships for program delivery, grounded in respect, inclusive governance, and There is value in collective work and shared learning. We are collaborators with and supporters of local experts.
• Center Smallholder Farmers’ Experience & Expertise: Small-scale and agro-ecological farmers are the experts when it comes to their work and in knowing what supports and interventions they need.

• Equity: Intersectional, feminist, and community-specific approaches to program engagement are the most effective means to achieving equitable, sustainable
• Growth & Adaptability: We are committed to reflecting, evaluating, and adapting our direction and purpose in response to changing local and global context, including partners’ needs and opportunities for sustained impact.

Conditions of Employment

This is a Full-time position (100%FTE). This position is office based, in Ottawa with hybrid work options available. The incumbent must have Canadian citizenship, and the ability to work out of our office at least two days per week.

Benefits available for this position

• Extended health, pharmaceutical, and dental coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Defined contribution pension plan
• Flexible working hours
• Generous annual vacation leave
• Annual Salary starting at $100,240.67

Mandate of the Director, Outreach and Partnership

• Oversee the work of fundraising and communications staff;
  • Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all fundraising efforts including: major gift development, donor stewardship, planned giving, corporate giving, sponsorship, grants, campaigns etc.;
  • Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all external communication efforts including: direction of a holistic communication strategy, messaging guidelines, networking opportunities, setting and evaluating reach goals etc.;
• Regularly evaluate fundraising and partnership approaches for effectiveness and propose adaptive solutions as required.
• Strengthen and grow SeedChange’s revenue streams through identifying prospective fundraising opportunities;
• Maintain good relations with current donors (i.e. Government, Foundations and Individual donors) in view of either renewing or enhancing their support;
• Implement an integrated fundraising program that not only places emphasis on major gifts but is aligned with best practices;
• Work in collaboration with Program Directors on coordinating the writing and submission of grants / funding proposals;
• Determine the philanthropic priorities of major donors with the goal of establishing personalized relations, solicitation and stewardship plans;
• Work closely with the Canadian and International Programs teams to develop and implement new strategies for increasing awareness of SeedChange’s work among key audiences;
• Ensure that fundraising procedures and practices comply with regulations and

Experience/Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in designing and implementing fundraising and communications strategies, preferably within a non-profit or charitable
• Senior level management experience and demonstrated effective
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem solving and interpersonal
• Experience in human rights based and ethical
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and G Suite
• Solid understanding of and experience with donor management software such as DonorPerfect, Raiser’s Edge or comparable fundraising software.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and fund
• Experience with web-based fundraising strategies, marketing and communications
• English communication including ability to speak and write effectively to multiple audiences
• Experience identifying and participating in strategic networks and coalition opportunities and liaising with funding partners (individual donors, foundations and government).

Assets that will help you stand out

• Awareness of the diversity of challenges, values, and needs of global small-holder farming communities.
• Awareness of the diversity of challenges, values and needs of small-scale and organic growers and farming organizations in Canada.
• Experience in developing and managing strategies for an international cooperation organization grounded in social justice.
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in communications, marketing, public relations or related field.
• French communication including ability to speak and write effectively to multiple

Application instructions

To apply for the position please click on this link: https://weseedchange.bamboohr.com/careers/37

Please include a cover letter referencing your motivation to apply for this role, reflections on your relevant experience and skills, and any other information you would like to share, as well as a résumé

SeedChange is committed to improving inclusive governance and supportive ways of working. This work is ongoing. We encourage folks from diverse backgrounds to apply, and are committed to providing a work environment that is as safe as possible for women, people with disabilities, BIPOC individuals and 2SLGBTQI+ folks.

The deadline for applications is January 24, 2025. Interviews of short-listed candidates are anticipated to be held during the week of February 10, 2025. We appreciate your understanding that only candidates short-listed for the position will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in working with SeedChange!