Strategic Planner

About the project

Nutrition through Engagement and Agricultural Technologies (N-EAT) is a Pacific Water Research Centre project that works with diverse communities, including First Nation communities, across British Columbia. The goal of this project is to improve the health, prosperity and economic wellbeing of these communities to achieve food sovereignty while ensuring sustainable access to water and energy. We aim to build on local and traditional knowledge that leads to the use of best practices. N-EAT works with local leaders to build capacity and seeks to ensure that communities are resilient against impacts of climate change and other related environmental and social stresses and disruptions.

We are looking for a motivated Strategic Planner to play a leading role in the N-EAT team, guide the overall strategy of the project, and be part of co-developing strategies, designs, and plans with communities of engagement to achieve sustainable local food systems.

Job Summary

N-EAT is looking to hire a Strategic Planner who will be responsible for developing overall strategic directions for the project. This includes developing the yearly strategic plan in collaboration with the N-EAT team, and hosting internal quarterly strategic reviews to reflect on, refine, and reevaluate project strategies and activities as needed. The Strategic Planner will also collaborate with selected communities to develop strategies, designs, and plans for post-project sustainability of local food programs and systems enhanced or created in partnership. Part of this work will involve co-developing sustainable designs and providing systems-level thinking. Furthermore, the Strategic Planner will support the Partnerships Manager in strategic relationship management with community champions and other key project stakeholders, and determining training needs for N-EAT team project members to achieve a culture of continuous development, awareness, and growth.

This position is an exciting opportunity to be involved with a dynamic team and become part of a transformational project dedicated to addressing issues of malnutrition and food insecurity by turning challenges into opportunities and fostering engagement and resilience in local food production and community well-being. We are seeking an individual who can thrive in a collaborative and compassionate environment. If you are looking for an opportunity to gain experience in developing sustainable, local food systems and grow with an organization that is helping to enhance the quality of community members’ lives through nutrition and wellness, then we want to hear from you.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Strategic Planner’s task is to shape the project’s overall strategy by prioritizing, focusing energy and resources, strengthening operations, working in collaborative ways with the N-EAT project team and communities of engagement towards common goals, and establishing agreement around intended outcomes/results.

As the Strategic Planner, you will work under the supervision of the Executive Director of PWRC. You will work closely with all members of the N-EAT project team, providing leadership and support in various tasks. You will be playing the lead role in developing the strategic plans and activities to guide the overall project and community sub-projects in achieving sustainable success.

Specifically, your responsibilities will include the following:

• Plan and develop the project’s strategic and long-term goals.
• Lead the team in strategic development, sustainable design, and systems thinking.
• Develop the yearly strategic plan in collaboration with the N-EAT team.
• Lead internal quarterly strategic reviews to provide space for all team members to reflect on, refine, and/or re-evaluate project objectives, accomplishments, lessons learned, partnerships, plans, budgets, methods, activities, barriers, opportunities for improvement, etc.
• Identify and develop additional strategic documents, both internal and external documents, to ensure N-EAT’s operational effectiveness, project sustainability, and performance with communities of engagement.
• Collaborate with community champions and stakeholders to develop strategies and plans for local capacity building, long-term success, sustainable practices, and financial stewardship, particularly after N-EAT’s direct involvement within a community phases out.
• Help to identify and evaluate possible next communities of engagement and/or opportunities for N-EAT to expand its project work.
• Support the Partnerships Manager in strategic relationship management with community champions and key stakeholders.
• Determine training needs for N-EAT team members as needed.
• Support N-EAT team members and complete project work as needed.
• Make recommendations for the project based on new trends and opportunities available.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Leadership