The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada is a non-profit organization devoted to educating, equipping, and encouraging Canada’s Reformed Christians to political action and bringing a biblical perspective to our civil governments. By God’s grace, and through the support of our donors, this organization continues to grow. Our current Policy Analyst has been promoted to also take on the role of Grassroots Manager. As such, we are now seeking an additional full-time employee to assist us in carrying out our mission.

Job Description: Policy Analyst (Full Time)

Location: Ottawa, Ontario (If the successful candidate does not currently live in Ottawa he or she would be expected to relocate to Ottawa)

Responsibilities:

A successful applicant will work alongside the current ARPA Canada staff and report to the Director of Law & Policy. The primary responsibilities will include:

Research and Writing

• Produce articles, policy reports, action alerts, government submissions, and a variety of other means of communication in a manner that requires minimal oversight;
• Be able to communicate policy ideas in a way that resonates with both government officials and our grassroots. This includes a variety of ages, experiences, and interests;
• Produce newsletters, web content, and social media posts for our regular communication with ARPA’s constituents;
• Over time, develop expertise on some of the key issues that ARPA Canada focusses on and eventually be able to interact quickly with government, media, and ARPA’s constituents on these issues.

Public speaking/presentations (role can be expanded with time)

• Draft speech transcripts, produce Powerpoint and Prezi presentations, and be able and willing to deliver this content to a variety of audiences including schools, churches, and the public;
• Possibility of taking part in national tours;
• Possibility of speaking at local events/presentations, as required.

Lobbying

• Meet with public office holders with the goal of building long-term relationships and influencing public policy.

Media Engagement

• Over time, have ability to prepare op-eds for mainstream media;
• Take media interviews on particular policy issues that ARPA engages with.

Grassroots Engagement

• Answer questions and feedback from constituents;
• Develop realistic and easy-to-understand action-items for ARPA’s constituents and local ARPA groups;
• Assist the Grassroots Manager with communications to local ARPA groups;
• Provide training on key issues at provincial or national ARPA conferences.
• Other responsibilities may arise, depending on the skills of the candidate and requirements of the organization.

Employment details:

• Salary, health benefits and RRSP provided
• Salary is negotiable
• Potential for long-term career
• Position start time is negotiable depending on individual circumstances

Requirements for application:

• Heartfelt agreement with the mission, vision, tone, and direction of ARPA Canada, also as communicated in ARPA’s Core Principles;
• Active membership in a confessional Reformed church and willing to subscribe in writing to the Bible, including as it is summarized in the Three Forms of Unity (see http://canrc.org/?page=26 for details);
• Exemplify a positive attitude:
  • Show love and grace to all;
  • Demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit;
  • Promote a positive culture of excellence and zeal for the organization’s mission;
  • Respond to challenges and set-backs with godly perspective;
  • Demonstrate humility and a heart of service.
• Undergraduate degree;
• Proficiency with MS Office and a variety of web applications;
• Must be willing to travel multiple times per year (approx. 10-25 nights total). Travel includes trips to all parts of Canada and is discouraged over Sundays;
• Self-motivated and disciplined work ethic – ability to work alone long-term while producing a high volume of work, sometimes with little notice;
• Ability to work well with a team that is scattered across Canada, through virtual means;
• Six month trial period and minimum 5 year expected commitment.

Assets:

• Experience with volunteering with local ARPA groups
• Political experience with a similar organization and/or political party
• Post-secondary education in the Humanities, Law, or the Social Sciences
• Public speaking experience
• French language skills

Application Deadline: March 1, 2016 (we reserve the right to change or extend the deadline)

Application Procedure:

If you are interested in the job description and meet the requirements listed above, please submit a resume, an accompanying cover letter, the names and contact information of at least two work references and the name and contact information of one character reference (preferably a pastor or elder). Complete application packages must be submitted to Mark Penninga at [email protected].

The cover letter must introduce yourself, detail how you fulfill the requirements listed above, and indicate your salary requirements. Writing samples are encouraged (e.g. articles, papers or reports you have written).

Please note: ARPA Canada is very grateful for any interest shown in this position. However, due to time constraints and other responsibilities, we reserve the right to not interview all applicants. The deadline for applications may also be changed as we deem necessary. Multiple interviews may be required. ARPA Canada reserves the right not to fill this position.