Bilingual Communications Officer

About Open North

Founded in 2011, Open North is Canada’s leading not-for-profit organization specialized in open data and open government, community engagement, and open smart cities. Our mission is to drive research, capacity-building and network collaboration across and within sectors to advance the responsible and effective use of data & technology in order to achieve our vision of data and technology that empower transparent, accountable and inclusive communities. With a multidisciplinary team of 15 staff (+ expert advisors) and an annual budget of $1M+, we work with the most innovative and connected communities in Canada and internationally. Through our service offering, we are called upon to support our partners develop and implement data governance models, lead collaborative data sharing initiatives, develop strategic plans and operational roadmaps, and train communities on a range of open smart city topics (eg. data management, open procurement, digital inclusion, and ethical AI). As an established international leader, our research and practitioners networks extend across the country and globally.
The Opportunity
Open North seeks to hire a dedicated Communications Officer to join our team. The Communications Officer will support the implementation of our internal and external communications strategy. They will create and implement communication material led by our goals, as our company moves forward with newly developed business strategies . We’re in need of someone who can promote our mission & vision, interact with the public and establish productive relationships with key stakeholders and policymakers, using a variety of digital marketing tools and platforms. Applicants should be excited about developing and implementing plans to engage target audiences and spread the message about our programs and services. The ideal candidate should have a proven track record of success in the communications sector or related fields, as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills in both official languages.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Create and post content on social media

• Develop communications, including news release and website content, designed to build awareness of our programs

• Design, write, coordinate newsletter content with staff, and send newsletters

• Maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders and local media

• Create data reports and track results (web and social media analytics)

• Create, copyright, edit and manage communication materials that are consistent with the Open North brand

• Develop, package and schedule engaging content across our networks

• Support the development of communication strategies and materials to build awareness to our projects

• Provide support, coordination and communication for frequent special events, in all areas of business

• Support ad hoc communications needs as they arise

The successful candidate must have the following skills and experience:

• Creative storyteller with proven track record engaging both English and French-speaking audiences

• Passionate and excited about our work. Can-do attitude and goes the distance to get things done.

• Flexible and versatile in a changing work environment and priorities while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.

• Determine strategies to move work forward, set goals and focus on priorities, creating and implementing action plans, document, evaluate, learn.

• Experience with Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and the Adobe Suite in general is an asset

• Experience creating and executing a wide variety of content for multiple channels ranging from digital media to traditional media and events

• Experience with community outreach and events management

• Experience working with Government is an asset

• Effective written and verbal communication in both French and English (ESSENTIAL)

• Post-secondary education in Communications, Public Relations, or equivalent experience

• 2-3 years of relevant experience

Work Conditions

• This is a part-time, long-term role within our organization.

• Currently, the whole team is working remotely. However, there is a workspace available in The Mile End for the occasional meeting or for a change of scenery.

Send your resume and a cover letter before April 19th. Application without a cover letter will not be considered.

Open North is committed to achieving equitable participation in the workforce. We recruit, employ, compensate and promote regardless of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, disability, age and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

Expected start date: 2021-04-26

Job Type: Part-time

Experience:

• relevant: 2 years (preferred)

Language:

• French (preferred)
• English (preferred)

Work remotely:

• Temporarily due to COVID-19

COVID-19 precaution(s):

• Remote interview process